Page 66 of The Marquess and the Maiden

Iris’s brows rose. “You’re not usually so impassioned. Come and sit, have some tea.”

She didn’t want any bloody tea, she wanted her group back. She wanted to salvage something in her life. She shook her head, then focused on Merritt again. “Will you schedule a meeting for me with her?”

“I’m not certain that’s a good idea,” he said.

“Either you do it, or I’ll run an advertisement in The Times and do it myself. I suspect your way will speed things up some,” Harriet said.

Iris put a hand on Harriet’s arm. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I know how to protect myself, the same as you. And I will take every precaution.”

Merritt eyed his wife a moment, and Iris nodded. He stood and walked to the small writing desk on the opposite wall. After quickly writing something, he held the paper out to Harriet.

She reached for it, but he did not release his hold.

“Tell us what you are planning to do so that someone knows where you are,” he said.

She explained that the townhome Oliver owned, where she had been practicing her skills, was empty. She would request Lady X meet her there and offer her whatever sum of money she required.

Iris embraced her again. “Promise me you shall be careful.”

“I promise. I’ll even bring a weapon along just in case.”

It was time to put this woman’s threats to rest. Certainly, all she wanted was money and, though Harriet had never lacked for anything, she now had access to a seemingly bottomless pit of funds. She could find this Lady X and pay her to move to the Americas. Then her beloved Ladies of Virtue would be back in business, as it were.

---