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His dark, slashing brows arched at her imperious demand. “Thirty-three,” he said calmly.
For this man to have been in the business for twenty years as her brother suggested… Good heavens, he’d been mixing with criminal elements from the age of thirteen?
“Mr. Tremayne,” Simon interjected smoothly. “It was good of you to come at such short notice.”
“Lord Fairfax,” Mr. Tremayne responded with another of his barely there bows. “How may I be of assistance to you…” He faced her. “And Her Grace, I presume?”
Simon nodded, a chilling reserve cloaking his demeanor. “May I present my sister, the Duchess of Hardcastle.”
Mr. Tremayne canted his head left, and a crisp, cool smile was briefly bestowed upon her. “I was summoned, and here I am.”
“You are early,” she said flatly.
“Was that impolite?” he drawled, and from the mocking glint in his eyes, he very well knew how outrageous his actions were. She detected the powerful personality reined in below the surface.
“Shall we sit?” she said, waving toward the wrought-iron benches. “Or we could slip inside Lady Tunstall’s library if you would like some port or brandy before we begin.”
He moved with an easy strength and confidence as he ambled closer. His picture was one of nonchalance, yet she could detect the slight tension vibrating around him. Or perhaps she was fanciful.
“I would prefer to delve into business, Your Grace.”
“So be it then,” she murmured. “I have a missing servant, and I would like to find her whereabouts.”
“What did she steal?”
Georgiana frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
“What did she steal?” he repeated, enunciating with cutting precision.
“Nothing,” her brother interjected. “We simply require her address to ascertain her safety.”
Mr. Tremayne’s silver-blue eyes were ice, and she had the inexplicable understanding that this man had to be cleverly handled…without him knowing he was being handled.
“It has never been my experience before when requested by members of the aristocracy to search for a missing servant that it be for the sake of her safety. It has always been about missing candlesticks, precious gemstones, a secret baby,” he said with chilling incivility. “There is one thing I demand from everyone I do business with, and that is the absolute truth. In return, I conduct my business affairs with complete confidentiality.”
“Jane wasn’t just a servant, Mr. Tremayne. She was…is a valued member of our household who has taken care of my son for the better part of five years,” Georgiana said, underlining her tone with steel. “The truth is, five weeks ago, while playing with my son by the lake, she disappeared. Investigators from Bow Street and our local magistrate believe she ran away. There are no rumors to the contrary. In fact, there are no rumors, which I find very startling. Your peculiar brand of service was suggested by my brother,” she ended, with a wave toward Simon. “If you are not that man, I invite you to leave. If you can help, I urge you not to waste precious time by doubting my sincerity in locating Jane.”
Mr. Tremyane’s gaze held hers under a piercing regard. Was that admiration in his eyes? His lips curved in a semblance of a smile.
“Do you believe you can help, Mr. Tremayne?”
“Perhaps.”
She frowned. “I would like more clarity.”
He stood. “That I cannot offer you. I will need a few days to ascertain if I have something to trade.”
Her belly tightened. “I see.” She was distressingly confused. “A bit more information would be welcomed, Mr. Tremayne. I am eager to receive some good report on Jane’s whereabouts.”
“I will broker our term of payment based on results, Your Grace. I cannot determine yet what I will need in return for my information.”
She stared at him, quite appalled at his lack of tact and gallantry.
“Once I have credible news and I have assessed its worth…a deal will be brokered between us.”
She considered the man before her. “May I persuade you to accept money for your services? Perhaps five hundred guineas.” A more-than-modest sum, but nary a flicker of greed crossed Mr. Tremyane’s features. Though by the elegant manner in which he was garbed, she did not think he had want of money. His dark-blue superfine jacket was immaculately tailored, and his fawn-colored trousers were fitted to his frame in a manner that suggested they had been tailored by the finest craftsman.
“No.” It was a soft answer but firm with conviction.
A disquieting silence lingered as they took each other’s measure. It annoyed Georgiana that she wanted to fidget under that unwavering regard.
“When the information is assessed, all deals will be brokered with me,” Simon interjected smoothly.
“No.”
“That is nonnegotiable. After this initial meeting, all future correspondence will be with me,” her brother said, a cool warning vibrating in his tone.
Mr. Tremyane’s attention finally shifted to Simon. “Then my time has been wasted.” The dratted man turned and strolled toward the deeper interiors of the garden. The unexpectedness of his reaction had caution rolling down her spine in a chilly wave as she surmised he would only deal with her. Resigned irritation flared in Simon’s eyes, and he angled his chin toward the man’s retreating shoulders.
“Mr. Tremayne,” she said softly. “Our business has not been concluded.”
He paused and turned around. Those beautifully colored eyes considered her brother for a few moments. “I need a few minutes alone with my client. That is nonnegotiable if we are to proceed further.”
A dangerous thrill scythed through her heart. To even be alone for a few minutes with this man…
Simon stiffened, but before he could protest, she lightly touched his arm. “I’ll be quite fine, Simon. If you would wait for me by the balcony. I shall be there in a few minutes.”
Her brother visibly gritted his teeth before melting away into the darkness. She knew he would not go too far.
“I’m sure he’ll remain in shouting distance,” Mr. Tremayne drawled mockingly.
“You were listening.” Good heavens. How m
uch did he hear? “Our conversation was private, sir.” Those piercing eyes settled on her, and she barely managed to subdue the flutters in her stomach. “Is there a reason you wanted a moment?”
“Is our business connection your desire? Or is it the earl’s?”
“I assure you, I am your client and not my brother. He was simply the bridge between our worlds.”
“I do not expect him to be at further meetings.”
Her heart thudded. “And why is that?” Though Simon had informed her of such, she wanted to hear the reason from this man.
His lips curved ever so slightly. “His presence will be an unnecessary interference. If you are afraid of being alone with me, you are already in over your head, duchess.”
The sheer arrogance he displayed was flummoxing. “I’m not afraid, though you are the most infamous man of my acquaintance,” she drawled and deliberately moved closer.
Surprising heat flared in his eyes, and he moved in to meet her advance. Georgiana refused to cave in and step back. Instead, she tilted her head up to meet his dark, unfathomable gaze. She was suddenly overwhelmed by an undeniable attraction. It was unimaginable, undreamed of, to have this awareness darting through her. I’m not cold…nor passionless.
His regard was slow and pointedly bold as he perused her body. He leaned close and spoke in a low voice. “You are an unbearably beautiful woman.”
Her heart began to hammer wildly, and her cheeks grew flushed. “And you are too forward, which can be expected if you have little experience with polite society. You will maintain the required civility while we do business, Mr. Tremayne.” Clearly, though he had the outward appearance of refinement, the man possessed no gentlemanlike qualities.
He smiled leisurely. “I am duly chastised, Your Grace.”
Except she did not believe him, for his perusal remained intent, unwavering. Georgiana swore her skin burned where his gaze had lingered.
“I’ll have news in a few days,” he said, and with a short bow he retreated, the darkness swallowing him.
