“And if you would not mind, ma’am, would you again repeat the woman’s Christian name? I do not believe I heard it correctly previously,” Richard asked.
“It was ‘Mads.’ Mrs. Mads Sorenson, my lord,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon provided.
“Mads?” Richard asked. “As in ‘Madeline’? Or short for ‘Maude’?”
“‘Mads’ is all the woman offered, and I did not think to question her, for, at the time, she appeared quite respectable, and I cannot be expected to know all in society, especially one likely not active among thehaut tonfor some time. I made the assumption that if the woman knew of Lord Duncan, she had been in company with him at one time or another,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon provided.
Duncan said, “We have taken enough of your time, ma’am. I would ask if the woman returns, you will send for me. Please, however, if she calls again, do not meet with her alone.”
“You know her identity, my lord?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked.
“No, not at all,” Duncan declared. “But I assume this Mrs. Sorenson left a substantial deposit for your services. The woman will likely be more than a bit disappointed with your failure to secure my agreement. You could be in danger.”
“I am accustomed to people who disagree with me,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon stated in firm tones. She slid a paper across the desk to Duncan. “I often make myself notes when interviewing a client. These are the points of interest I wrote when speaking to Mrs. Sorenson. Hopefully, they will be of use to you in identifying this woman should she choose to approach you personally.”
Duncan lifted his weight from the chair when Mrs. Dove-Lyon stood to end their conversation. His lordship said, “I appreciate your concern for my health, ma’am, but I am not one to walk away from a challenge. The late Lady Duncan was an incomparable woman. I imagine this Mrs. Sorenson asked around of me and learned there was no hope of changing my mind; therefore, she has abandoned her task. Yet, she will more than likely return for the money she left with you in kind. Good evening, ma’am.” Duncan bowed. So did Richard and Marksman.
Titan had two men waiting to assist Duncan below. “Marksman, stay with Duncan. I will go ahead and have the carriage brought around to the exit. I am confident Duncan will not be prepared for a long walk after negotiating the stairs again.”
His words were an excuse for Richard to have a look about the area leading to Cleveland Row. As soon as they departed Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office, Richard had the oddest feeling that someone was watching them. He would not take additional chances with Macdonald Duncan’s life or his own.
