For if Augusta was right, she was courting more danger than even she could imagine—not, he noted wryly, that such knowledge would have the least effect in stopping her head-on assault on injustice.
“Lady Augusta,” he finally said, trying to keep a note of reason in his voice. “Let us think on this a moment. You have two more suspects. It so happens that I have the same number in mind. Let us leave our waltzing around on the dance floor.”
“Sir, I cannot believe that they would be the same?—”
He rattled off two names.
Augusta gave a faint gasp. “How is it that you came up with those men?”
His hands tightened on the reins and he turned his team toward an even more secluded spot. “I should have liked to keep this to myself, but I see if I am to have any hope of convincing you to let me handle this, I shall have to reveal certain things.” He took a deep breath. “I have already told you that I became involved in this at the behest of … a friend. While you may find my intellect and commitment suspect, I doubt you would find any such fault with this learned man. Especially concerning the subject of child labor.”
Marcus turned to face her. “Have you read the pamphlets of Firebrand?”
Augusta was overcome by a fit of coughing.
“Don’t try to gammon me. Given your interest in the subject, I would never believe a denial.”
I … I am acquainted with them,” she managed to whisper.
The earl lowered his voice as well. “Well, I am acquainted with the author.”
“Y-You know who F-Firebrand is?”
His lips quirked upward. “Well, I have to admit that I don’t actually know his real identity. But we have corresponded through his publisher on a regular basis for some time now. He has asked for my help in pursuing a matter that I cannot help but feel is related to yours. It is from him that I have received my information, and it is on his behalf that I am acting. I should hope that would convince you to trust me. After all, it is apparent that he does.”
“Is Firebrand aware of your identity?”
“I see no reason why he should be. We have chosen to remain anonymous to each other for a variety of reasons.” Marcus’s jaw tightened imperceptibly. “You think it would make a difference in his attitude if he knew?”
Augusta stared down at the strings of her reticule, which he noted were now twisted into little knots. “I imagine that is a question only Firebrand can answer, milord.”
“I am asking your—” He stopped speaking on noticing that her hand had come up to rub at her brow. “Are you all right, Lady Augusta? You look a trifle pale.”
“I’m so sorry, sir. I … I don’t know what has come over me, but I find … I find that I’m suddenly feeling quite fatigued.”
Marcus peered at her wan face and muttered an inward curse for pressing her too hard. “Come then, I had best take you home.”
She made no attempt dissuade him.
The team started forward at a smart pace, the earl guiding them back through the park and the crowded streets of Mayfair with a sure hand. He slanted an occasional glance at her rigid profile, but found himself only looking at the poke of her bonnet, for her averted face was shielded in its shadows from any further scrutiny.
His mouth crooked in concern. Damnation, he thought, she was trying to shoulder entirely too much responsibility.However, he could well imagine her response should he voice the opinion that she couldn’t go on without help—a man’s help.
That caused the corners of his mouth to turn upward. His ears would be soundly boxed, if not his person, but he found he was becoming rather used to their verbal sparring. In fact, he rather liked it. Though he had never expected it, she had proven up to his weight in both giving and taking a hit. Her grit and determination were most unusual in a female … Indeed, he was almost relieved to hear her admit to a bit of fatigue. It showed she was human.
He stole another quick look at the rounded curves of her willowy form, shown to perfection in a new carriage dress of impeccable design and cut.
Way too human.
The team pulled up in front of her townhouse, and Marcus quickly came around to hand her down.
“Get some rest, Lady Augusta. I trust when you have given the matter careful thought, you will use your good judgment and good sense to come to the right decision.”
Nine
“I am sorry, my friend, but I am involved in a certain project that requires all my thought and energy at the moment. So it will be another little while before I can find my way clear to writing you anything longer than these few lines to assure you I am well.
Oh, and as to the little matter for which I requested your help—you may rest assured that it is resolved, and there is no need for you to exert yourself in any further way. I have decided to hire two Runners to handle it, and have put the investigation entirely in their hands.”
