Page 55 of An Honorable Deception
“Quick at codes too. Handy chap to have around.” He jogged up to the front door, tested the knob, and let himself in, holding the door wide for her.
Only once she’d followed him into the drawing room did she realize that though she’d been in this house countless times, never had she been here without Marigold. That, in fact, sheoughtn’tto be here with Yates if Sir Merritt weren’t at home...
He was. But not alone. Lord Xavier Hastings was there, too, laughing about something or another as they walked into the room.
Lavinia halted when his eyes flicked to her. She didn’t know Xavier well, but she knew him well enough to recognize the questions that sprang into his eyes when he spotted her walking into a house filled only with men. Having entered with Yates. When she was supposed to be in the country.
“Yates. Lavinia.” Sir Merritt rose, a few questions in his own eyes as well. “I didn’t know we ought to expect you.”
Yates waved a hand her way and then dropped to a chair, looking as exhausted as he had every reason to feel, and yet which she suspected was put on. “Vin had some charity thing. She convinced me to bring her.”
It explained their presence in London. Up to her then, she supposed, to come up with something to explain her walking into his house without a chaperone. “Don’t get comfortable, Yates. As soon as I see if I left my book in the guest room, you still need to walk me home.”
He grunted and leaned his head back against the sofa, eyes closing. “If I fall asleep, Merritt can walk you. I’m ready to be done with this hopping back and forth.”
Perhaps he meant it to be a hint to Xavier, that he ought to leave so Yates could retire. If he left before Lavinia came back down, then they could get down to business.
Lord X didn’t take the hint. When Lavinia came back into the room, a slender tome of poetry in hand that she had, in fact, left behind, Xavier was in the middle of a new story, and Yates’s glare didn’t bring it to a close.
Merritt cast an inscrutable look at her and then Yates. “I’ll walk you, my lady. Give me a few minutes.”
This was not how the evening was supposed to go. Howwere they supposed to plot and plan now? They could wait until morning, but then Sir Merritt would be expected at the office—or, more likely, Yates would miraculously wake up once Xavier finally left, and he and Merritt would do the planning without her. Funny how much like a theft that felt. But what could she do? She nodded and meandered toward the door to wait for him.
Her father wouldn’t be expecting her either. Would he even be home, or did he have some engagement tonight? Did he know those men they’d seen walking into the Empire House? Of course he did—he knew everyone in Lords, at least in passing. But did he know what they were? What they did? The mockery they made of charity?
Did he laugh with them? Drink with them? Did he have a golden tie pin?
She squeezed her eyes shut against the question because she knew it was unfair. Papa had never looked at anyone but her mother. He had his faults, as everyone did, but his faith and fidelity had always been true. That was why Mother’s betrayal had cut so deep. That was why her loss had hollowed him out so completely. That was why he dragged himself through every day and collapsed every evening.
He would be at home. He was always at home.
“All right.” Sir Merritt was at her side, his smile saying he knew something was amiss. “Ready then?”
“Sorry to leave you with this lout, Vin.” Yates trudged lazily their way, rubbing at his face. Once he reached them, he murmured softly, “If this Barclay chap finds me, his crew can help tomorrow. I’ll let you know if we need you to call via the front—regardless, perhaps you could introduce yourself to Alethia’s mother tomorrow?”
His words had been quiet, but Xavier leapt to his feet inthe drawing room, alerting like a bloodhound. “Did you say something about Lady Alethia?”
Yates muttered something in Romani. Merritt closed his eyes and sighed. Lavinia sent her gaze heavenward.
Predictable. Even while it was completely understandable—and knowing from Alethia that he’d been paying her a bit of attention—she ought to have known that her new friend was being humble. That Xavier was more than his usual amount of interested.
He reached their group a second later, eyes alight. “Now look. I’m a good sport, aren’t I? I pretend I don’t know that Merritt’s in military intelligence. I’ve asked no questions about the countless things you and your sister do that make no sense, Fairfax—and I didn’t even say hello when Gemma ran smack into me with a tray of canapés at that garden party in the spring, dressed as a maid, which I know well she isn’t. I’ve never breathed a word about the fact that you run your estate with only the help of a handful of retired circus performers, nor considered refusing your every request for a guest pass or an introduction.” He spread his arms wide. “Not that I’m counting debts, but I think you owe me.”
This time Yates was the one to sigh and Merritt the one to roll his eyes. “X—”
“I am not asking for state secrets or a look at anyone’s room of mysterious files that I walked directly past at the wedding without so much as a peep inside.” Now his hands moved up into the surrender position. “Truly. But if you know where Lady Alethia has disappeared to, I’d consider the knowledge a fair trade for my limitless circumspection and discretion.”
Yates’s imitation of drowsiness had given way to a clear foul temper. “Knowledge—fine. She’s in Northumberlandwith my sister. But that isnotan invitation,” he added quickly, given that Xavier had already opened his mouth with obvious intention, eyes flaming bright.
Xavier faced Yates head-on, the flames sending out sparks. “I thought I had an open invitation.”
“To visit Merritt and my sister and me, yes. To visit her? Absolutely not.”
“What’s the matter, Fairfax? Can’t handle a bit of honest competition?”
Merritt edged between them, facing his friend. “It isn’t about—or notonlyabout,” he amended, glancing over his shoulder at Yates, “any interest he has in her. She’s in danger, Xavier.”
That made him pause, suck in a breath, search his friend’s eyes. “What sort?”
