Page 71 of Secrets of a Duke's Daughter (The Duchess's Investigative Society 1)

“I cannot fathom who,” Luke confessed, unless Cassie’s friend had involved someone else but surely she would have informed Cassie?

“Can I speak with Mrs. Lyle?”

“She’s still out and, honestly, I keep her away from the office. The sight of a woman sometimes puts off the more...old-fashioned clients. Especially those men who have need of discretion. If you wish to meet her, I can arrange that but at present, I have instructed her to continue following Mr. Harding.”

“This man she spotted, what did he look like?”

Mr. Archer peered at the notepad in front of him. “Scruffy, floppy hat, moth-eaten. Walked with a limp.”

“A limp?”

“Indeed.” Mr. Archer leaned over. “You know the man?”

“I might do.”

“What do you wish us to do about him?”

“Tell Mrs. Lyle to follow him instead. I want to know where he frequents and where he rests his head.” Luke paused. “But he’s dangerous. You may wish to assign a man to the case.”

Mr. Archer released a dry laugh. “Trust me, Mrs. Lyle is more than capable of handling herself. Plus there would be hell to pay if she even caught a whisper of me removing her from a case.”

“A stubborn woman then?”

“The most stubborn.”

Luke let slip a tilted smile. “I know one of them.”

“Then you will know that she is more than capable and will do your case justice. Believe me, my lord, I would not hire a woman lightly. She will find out where this man frequents, and I shall have a report ready for you within a few days.”

“Sooner.”

Mr. Archer’s brows rose, and he made a note. “Two days’ time then. Mrs. Lyle will cover his movements for one day and I shall have a report ready for you then.”

Luke smiled tightly. One of the big benefits of rank was having people do your bidding with much more efficiency than if one were a mere mister and he was grateful for that today, because if they could find the man who attacked Cassie, this might all be over sooner rather than later, and he could return to simply watching over her as he had promised Anton.

Oh yes and return to not touching her, not kissing her and not imagining he might be worthy of something more from her.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Luke would scold her for sitting here. Cassie pressed her cheek to the cold glass and peered out at the darkened gardens. The men patrolling the grounds carried lamps, that occasionally lit up sections of trees or flowers, and she spied the odd carriage travelling past.

Each time she heard the rumble of wheels, her heart gave a little skip. Luke had been gone far longer than promised. She shifted on the windowsill, aware her rear had gone numb from sitting so long in one position.

What if something had happened to him? What if this was all her fault? She’d never forgive herself. If only she had used the past few days to tell him…well…something. They had barely managed any stolen time together and she regretted that.

The door to the drawing room eased open. Her heart sank when her father popped his head around the door. “I saw the lamp still lit. You are just like your mother—she was always too busy to get an early night.”

Cassie forced a smile. “I shall go to bed soon, Papa, I promise.” So long as Luke returned, anyway.

“Remind me why we have men patrolling, Cassie? I cannot recall.”

“There has been a few robberies nearby, remember, Papa?” It was not a complete lie but she did not mind telling a little one so her father didn’t worry. “Luke suggested we hire some men to watch the house.”

“Oh yes.” He nodded. “Fine man that Luke. Looks after all my daughters quite admirably.”

“He does indeed.”

“Well, be sure to get some rest. Good night, my dear.”

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