Page 5 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
One might argue it wasn’t his job. Indeed, he was merely looking into the matter as a favor to his cousin who worked for the Home Office. Once they’d begun to suspect that the thieves were taking orders from a member of theton, his cousin had drawn him in.
It wasn’t the first time his aid had been requested. Not because Albright was so very clever or oh so sly. No, it was merely that he was well connected and—as his cousin repeatedly mentioned—well liked.
But mostly he had access, and friends of influence, and could ask questions without causing a stir. Truly, he had no need of a career. He had plenty of obligations and entertainments to fill his time.
It was only…
He’d been enjoying the tasks his cousin sent his way. They gave him a sense of purpose. They were a change from the day to day, and…blast it all, he felt a sense of pride when he accomplished these missions.
And for the past few years hehadaccomplished each task he’d been given. Some were easier than others, but he always saw it through. And he could not abide the fact that he might very well have to admit defeat in this matter.
Mr. Everson was far from clever. But the evidence Albright had to link him to the smuggling was circumstantial at best. He’d confirmed that the Earl of Marlin’s late brother had been involved in the early days of the smuggling ring.
Marlin himself had helped to piece together that puzzle with financial documents.
It seemed his now-deceased older brother had helped the smugglers as a way to right the books for their struggling estate. And honestly, no one would have known or even cared if the ring of thieves hadn’t grown too big and too bold these past few years.
And that was the thing. This growth, the ever more blatant disregard for any laws or even common decency…
That had occurredafterthe late Earl’s demise.
Whoever had been heading the operation upon the late Earl’s demise had grown abominably greedy. And he didn’t seem to have a care for who got caught in the middle of his crew’s skirmishes with the law.
As the late Earl of Marlin’s closest friend, Everson had been an obvious suspect from the start. And as Albright had looked into the man, a picture became clear. Everson was well connected and well liked—but also had nary a farthing to his name. He lived like a dandy, but only off the generosity of his friends and distant relations.
He frowned as the crowd shifted and he lost sight of Mr. Everson.
Just as he had the other day.
His brows lowered further at the memory of that particularly awful incident.
It was desperation that had him following Everson himself. Since the smuggler’s base had been discovered by Marlin and his fiancée Jane, the trail had grown ever colder and more elusive.
The fiends were aware that they’d been caught and had gone into hiding. And Everson too seemed to be watching his every step. But he’d been making calls of late, and those he visited were not obvious friends or even acquaintances.
Miss McGovern’s uncle among them.
What had he gone there for? He might have found out if a certain beautiful little brunette hadn’t dropped out of the sky.
He took a deep breath and held back another sigh.
He found himself sighing often lately, every time he thought of that encounter. Truly, he’d been doing his bestnotto recall that particular afternoon. It wasn’t one of his finer moments.
He winced as he recalled the way he’d clapped a hand over her mouth.
In his defense, she’d been speaking too loudly, and if Everson was indeed the culprit and suspected that Felicity knew this…
Well. Even now Albright couldn’t stop the rush of anger that flooded his veins at the thought of Miss McGovern in harm’s way.
Felicity, she’d said to call her. And the name fit. It had a sort of melody to it, and it meant happiness. Yes, indeed. Very fitting for the young lady who always seemed to be brimming over with effusive cheerfulness.
His brows lowered as he found his thoughts once again dwelling on the young lady. He’d been aware of her for a while now, of course. She was friends with his friends, and they’d spent ample time in the same company. And he’d felt from the start that she was…different.
Peculiar.
In truth, her peculiarities had made him keep his distance from the start. She seemed kind enough, but there wassomething about her that set him on edge. Like he was waiting for a sudden catastrophe.
He couldn’t be the only one who felt it.
