Alesbury wanted to tell his friend to stay away from Violet, but he wasn’t certain of the young lady’s feelings for him yet. He wanted her for his wife, but he couldn’t forbid Richmond to court her until she gave him some indication that she preferred his own company above all others. He took a sip of his brandy to cover his discomfort. It was time to change the subject. “Now, what is it you wanted to discuss?”
“I had a visitor recently, and I admit, I’m not certain what to think about it. I’ve not met Carlisle more than a few times over the years and know him scarcely well enough to tip a hat around London. I was more than surprised when he asked if I would invest in his next shipping venture.”
Alesbury considered how much to reveal to his friend. While he rarely shared any sensitive information with anyone outside of Edgerton or his fellow spy Bishop, Richmond needed to know the full extent of Carlisle’s illegal activities before he made a grave mistake and became involved in something that would put him in the crosshairs of the Crown. “You would do well to stay clear of Carlisle.”
Richmond’s eyes widened. “I see. Care to elaborate on that?”
Alesbury looked around the club. They were ensconced in a corner far away from everyone else. He lowered his voice. “Carlisle is on the brink of ruin. He’s mortgaged his London townhouse as well as his other estates, and there is no more credit forthcoming. That’s why he’s seeking investors.”
“I see. That explains his unexpected visit but not why I shouldn’t invest with him. Many men in thetonare on the brink of ruin. It’s not that unusual. Is there something else you’re neglecting to tell me?”
Alesbury nodded. He hesitated briefly, knowing that to go further would be indiscreet, but he needed to save his friend from aligning himself with Carlisle. “There’s more. What I’m about to tell you must go no further.”
“I see. Now, I’m intrigued,” Richmond said.
“We believe we’ve uncovered an illegal smuggling operation he’s been running. It seems he wanted to expand the sea operation with an overland route but was foiled when Edgerton bought Blakely Manor and a mill in the village of Billericay.”
“Those are shocking allegations. How did you come by this information?”
“I cannot not exactly say. Perhaps a conversation with Edgerton is in order. Would you be amenable to that?”
Richmond nodded. “You definitely have my interest now. Set the meeting, and I shall be there.”
“Are you attending the Huntington ball?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Edgerton will attend as well. We can steal away for a few moments of privacy, and all will be explained.”
Alesbury finished his brandy and left Richmond to his thoughts. He wondered if Edgerton would recruit Richmond as another tool for the Crown with eyes and ears in theton.He shook off that thought. It was not his decision to make and he had business of his own to take care of concerning a problem with one of his tenants. He hurried to his townhome for a meeting with his estate steward. Though the manor house remained closed, he made sure his tenants were well cared-for and any issues swiftly resolved.
THE EVENING OF THEHuntington ball found Alesbury fighting his way through the crush of attendees. It took him a few moments to locate Edgerton, and by the time he was beside the spymaster, the first dance was underway. He was dismayed to see Violet dancing with Richmond. He should have expected it, but it felt like a punch in the gut to see how well they looked together, especially when Richmond said something that made Violet laugh. He wasn’t usually a jealous man, but then, he’d never had strong feelings for any woman before. It made him realize that he needed to do everything within his power to secure Violet’s hand before Richmond swooped in and claimed her for his duchess.
Alesbury greeted Courtney and Lavinia while he waited to greet Violet until the dance ended.
“You look annoyed,” Edgerton whispered in his ear.
Alesbury smoothed his expression. “Not at all.”
“I say, could it be Richmond dancing with my sister that has you upset?”
“She’s promised me the supper dance, so all will be well,” Alesbury said. “There’s something else we need to discuss, and we’ll need a moment of privacy for it. Richmond was approached by Carlisle.”
The only sign that Edgerton heard him was an arched eyebrow.
When the dance ended, Richmond escorted Violet back to her mother.
Alesbury waited until Richmond had taken his leave to approach. “Miss Bainbridge, you look exquisite this evening,” he said, kissing the air above her knuckles.
“Thank you, my lord. I look forward to our supper dance.”
“As do I.”
When another gentleman came to claim Violet for the next dance, Alesbury wound his way toward the French doors and the terrace beyond. He managed to catch Richmond’s eye on the way and nodded. It was mere minutes before Edgerton and Richmond joined him.
“Gentlemen, I’m most curious about this Carlisle business. Care to enlighten me?” Richmond asked without any preamble.
It was Edgerton who spoke up, explaining what his spy network had uncovered about the earl. “With the loss of Carlisle’s last two cargoes, the Crown had hoped his smuggling operation was at an end, but it won’t be if he can recruit more investors.”
