Page 8 of Black Widow

“In case you’ve forgotten the finer points of espionage, making your target feel comfortable is often key to winning theirtrust.”

“And you forget I’ve seen you work—often enough to know when you’re dissembling. This wasdifferent.”

Gideon glowered. “Of course it was different. I’ve been acquainted with her since she was in theschoolroom.”

Clarke raised abrow.

Gideon set down his glass with a thump. “Fine,” he muttered. “There is a chance—a small one, mind you—she wasn’t directlyinvolved.”

Clarke looked triumphant, but Gideon forestalled him. “I still think she killed him. All the evidence points toward it…but I’m willing to entertain the idea she brought his death about unintentionally. Perhaps Worthing acted alone. It’s too soon to besure.”

“Hmm. You never explained what evidence you had, aside from all the rumors andconjecture.”

Gideon glanced around to confirm no one was close enough to hear them. “It’s something I got from one of the maids who was there that night. Several of the servants overheard what Amelia said when she found Martin’s body. She blamedherself.”

“You spoke to her servants? When was this? Weren’t you buried in Derbyshire with your estate managers the past fewmonths?”

“I was. Did I introduce you to my new footmanJessup?”

“Ah. I take it this man came to you from your cousin’shousehold.”

Gideon nodded inconfirmation.

“And has this new servant proveduseful?”

“Up to a point. He admits to being there in the aftermath, but claims there was at least one man, an old retainer named Willie, who witnessed the deed. Jessup also confirmed Amelia arrived homeafterMartin had died. It was Willie and one of the maids who found his body and alerted the other servants. Amelia came home from her afternoon calls in the carriage soonafter.”

“So at least you know she didn’t push him down the stairs. Any chance of tracking this Willie down, or at least themaid?”

“The maid stayed on with Amelia. Most of the servants did. The bulk of them had been hired when they lived abroad, and Amelia didn’t downsize the household. Only the ones hired after their return to England left, Willie included. I have people looking, but they haven’t heard a hint of him yet. According to Jessup, the old man was spooked by the death but wouldn’t saywhy.”

“Well, let’s hope he has something useful to add,” Clarke said with a contemplative sip of port. “Is there anything you want me todo?”

“As a matter of fact, I think it’s time you dug up your cosmetics case from your atticstorage.”

His friend wrinkled his nose. “I take it you want me to resurrect my servantdisguise?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to take a position in Amelia’shousehold.”

“Of course youdo.”

Gideon’s lip curled. “All right, if I thought there was a chance she would hire you—but she’s got too much staff as it is. Her townhouse requires a much smaller number than the home she kept in the country, but she didn’t let anyone go. By all accounts, they have to invent tasks to keep busy. Amelia either doesn’t care or hasn’t noticed they’re bleeding herdry.”

“From what I hear, it would take a legion of servants to make a dent in her fortune. Precisely what is it you wish me todo?”

“I would like you to befriend the maid, an Italian woman named Carlotta. Charm her with your dismal pronunciation of her native tongue. I’d also like to take a closer look at Worthing’s staff, but the only one who travels with him is his valet, and he’s a loyalman.”

Clarke’s lip quirked. “How inconvenient. But even the most loyal men need something. I’ll just have to find out what itis.”

“Make sure your disguise is a good one when you do in case his employer happens to get a look atyou.”

“If I could foolNapoleon…”

Gideon laughed aloud, the booming sound filling the room. Several heads turned in their direction. “I told you it was not Napoleon, just a short officer,” he said, lowering hisvoice.

“You don’t know that. It gets very dark in the French countryside atnight.”

“The dark is the sameeverywhere.”

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