“Not exactly. Edward’s orders were to put this directly into Ash’s hands. Said he’d know what to do with it.”
“You’ve come to the right place. He’s in Sommer-by-the-Sea. Likely at Lady Eastbury’s just now.” Barrington’s eyes narrowed. “And you? Between assignments?”
Townsend’s mouth twitched, as if suppressing an answer. “Something like that.”
Barrington let the silence stretch before clapping his old comrade on the shoulder. “Come, then. We’ll ride. You can tell me what mischief you’ve been in since we last crossed paths.”
The two men left the study, the rhythm of their steps uneven but companionable, a long friendship filling the silences between words. Outside, gulls wheeled against a silver sky as they set out toward Eastbury Manor.
*
Leticia heard theknock and glanced at her aunt, seated beside her in the parlor, darning gloves that had seen better seasons.
“That will be Gabriel.” She rose. “Or a messenger bearing a letter saying he cannot come.”
Lady Eastbury didn’t look up. “You’ll know which by the tone of the knock.”
But when the butler returned, it was not just Gabriel who followed.
“Barrington?” Leticia blinked in surprise as the colonel stepped inside, followed by a tall man in a travel-stained coat.
“Lady Salisbury. Lady Eastbury.” Barrington bowed, stepped aside as Gabriel entered behind them, brows raised. “Ashcombe, this is Felix Townsend. I believe you two met in London.”
“We did,” Gabriel said, offering his hand. His gaze dropped briefly to the man’s leg, assessing. “Are you well?”
Townsend grinned. “Well enough to travel, at least.”
Lady Eastbury’s eyes sharpened as she stepped forward. “A war wound, Mr. Townsend?”
He hesitated, cleared his throat. “I got through that arena unscathed. Unfortunately, my lady… this is not a tale for polite company.”
Her brows arched, but she let the matter rest, though the glance promised she would return to the matter later.
“And you’re far from London.”
“On behalf of Edward,” Townsend said, pulling a leather satchel from beneath his coat. “He received word of the thefts. Thought you might find this useful.”
Gabriel took the packet, thumb resting on the seal a heartbeat longer than needed before he broke it.
Leticia saw the soldier in him then, evaluating the importance of the information as if it were a weapon.
Lady Eastbury rose, setting her mending aside. “I’ll see to some refreshments. Leticia, show the gentlemen to the library.” She turned to the men. “You will have some privacy there.”
She left the room, and the gentlemen followed Leticia through the hall. The library opened before them in afternoon light, lace curtains softening the glow, the air faint with polish and old paper. It was the kind of room built for secrets.
The documents inside were auction ledgers, six in total, and several copied entries with names underlined in a familiar hand.
Leticia leaned over them, the ink-smudged columns blurring for a moment before her focus sharpened. “These are from the recent society auctions.”
Gabriel nodded slowly as he glanced up at Townsend. “Edward asked you to analyze them?”
“Actually,” Townsend said, settling into a chair with a grateful sigh, “he asked you to analyze them. My only instruction was to deliver them and stay out of the way.”
Leticia caught Gabriel’s glance and tilted her head, wordlessly requesting the ledgers. He slid them toward her. Her fingertip traced the names, the paper brittle beneath her touch. Several women had purchased from the same seller. Several names repeated: Lady Enfield,Mrs. Greyson, and… she lifted her head and turned toward him.
“One of the buyers was Erica Notley,” Leticia said aloud, her brow furrowing as she traced the line.
Gabriel looked up. “What did she buy?”
