Page 44 of Her Lion of a Duke
“I must admit, Your Grace,” Mr. Livingston began, “I was not expecting you to tell me to resume the investigation so soon. I thought you were enjoying your honeymoon.”
“I wished to enjoy my honeymoon. Now that it is over, I can return my attention to this. It is important to me, as you know.”
“Indeed, which is why I hope that today will ease your concerns somewhat.” He lowered his voice, leaning in slightly. “I do not have a name yet, but I can tell you that the letters do indeed match the style of known political pamphleteer Mr. Felix Gray.”
“My assumption was correct, then,” Leonard grumbled. “What that has to do with my brother, though, I do not know.”
“It could be anything, but I assure you that I will find out. Regardless, I believe that Felix Gray is a gentleman hiding behind radical language. That has always been the theory about him, for nobody has ever known a real man with that name. But so far, no one knows who he really is.”
Leonard frowned. He had been hoping for more, something that would give him further clarity, but he knew to be patient. They had only just resumed the investigation, and he could not expect everything to be solved in a matter of days, even if that was what he wanted more than anything.
“Believe me, Your Grace, this will be done with soon enough. I have been comparing the pamphlets with other works by publishers, and once I have found a match, I shall speak with them.”
“I know that you are doing everything you can,” Leonard sighed, forcing a smile, “and I am most grateful for it. Are you quite certain that there is nothing more I can do to aid you in your endeavors?”
“Unless you can become an investigator and track him down yourself, I do not believe so.”
Leonard admitted defeat at that point. It was difficult not to have complete control, but he had to trust the man he had allowedto take charge. He reminded him again to maintain complete discretion and then left the shop.
He wished he could have been in charge of the investigation and had the time and resources to handle matters himself, but he did not. Instead, he had a wife waiting for him at home, and he did not wish to be gone for hours, having her ask more questions that he could not answer.
When he returned, he found her sitting in the parlor, sipping tea with their housekeeper.
“You were not long.”
“It was an easier issue than I thought,” he explained. “He had not been changing his crops each year, so there were issues arising from that. It should all be well now, and I have made sure that they will be taken care of in the meantime.”
“Wonderful. Of course, I knew you would be capable of handling matters yourself. I simply wanted to join you because I enjoy your company.”
“And I very much enjoy yours. That is why I would prefer for you to be well rested while I handle matters.”
Cecilia smiled softly and put down her teacup. “I ought to dress for dinner,” she said quickly, leaving the room.
Leonard looked at Mrs. Herrington, who was not smiling at him. She was frowning, her brow furrowed as if accusing him of something.
“What is it?”
“You know exactly what it is, Your Grace. Why are you lying to her?”
“I am not.”
“I have known you all your life. I know when you are being dishonest. Besides, I know perfectly well that there have been no issues with tenants. Where were you today?”
“I do not like your tone.”
“And I do not like that you have disappeared twice without a good explanation. You know what that makes you look like, and I will not stand for it.”
“Are you accusing me of dallying with another lady?”
“Of course not, but it is how it seems. I do not want Her Grace to be hurt, not when she has been good to you. This will stay between us, as does every discussion we have, but for my own peace of mind, I must know where you were.”
With nothing more to say, Leonard explained everything. Every so often, he would check that Cecilia had not yet returned, and each time he did, Mrs. Herrington would glare at him.
“Your wife deserves to know,” she said bluntly when he had finished. “If there is someone looking into your lives, she should be aware of it.”
“She… she cannot yet.”
“Your Grace, you do not mean?—”
