“We know her only as ‘Simone,’” Roswell shared.
“Yes, well, shall we all sit down so we can continue this discussion?” Kendrick asked. “I don’t have all day to watch you three stare daggers at one another.”
Fredrick waited until Miss Delacourt settled into her chair before taking his own. He had so many questions, but he wasn’t quite sure where to start.
Kendrick leaned forward in his seat. “Miss Delacourt is the other agent that I assigned to the case, and I thought it was necessary to bring you all together, considering we have two French spies somewhere on the loose in London.”
“I don’t need a nursemaid, or two,” Miss Delacourt said, her tone dripping with disapproval. “I just need more time.”
“Time is what we don’t have, Agent,” Kendrick remarked.
“I believe I have tracked the two spies to a boarding house in Chelsea and…” Miss Delacourt shared.
Kendrick put his hand up, halting her words. “How do you propose to apprehend two French agents single-handedly?” he asked.
“Easily,” Miss Delacourt responded.
“Now that Caleb is injured, going at it alone is not a wise option,” Kendrick asserted. “You need help.”
Miss Delacourt huffed her discontent, but she remained quiet.
“For the sake of the Crown, I would like you three to work together,” Kendrick said. “You will need to share what you know, and move forward, quickly.”
Kendrick continued. “You may go now, and do not disappoint me on this.”
After they had filed out of Kendrick’s office, Fredrick had to increase his stride to keep up with Miss Delacourt. She hardly spared him a glance as they left the building and arrived on the pavement.
“Wait,” Fredrick ordered. “We must speak with you.”
Miss Delacourt stopped on the pavement and a deep frown marred her features. “What is it that you want?”
“Kendrick wants us to work together,” Fredrick replied. “Don’t you think we should at least attempt to do so?”
“I can handle this on my own. You can go back to entertaining Miss Sutherland,” Miss Delacourt said, turning to leave.
Fredrick reached out and touched her arm. “I am not entertaining Miss Sutherland.”
“I just assumed because you have been spending so much time with her,” Miss Delacourt explained with a slight shrug of her shoulder.
Roswell drew closer and spoke in a hushed tone. “We need to talk, and this is not the place to do so,” he said. “Since you seem to know so much about us, why don’t we speak at our townhouse this evening?”
Miss Delacourt’s expression wavered with uncertainty before she agreed, “Leave the window open in the study. I am not about to go through the main door and announce my presence.”
“I am agreeable to that,” Roswell said.
“Good.” Miss Delacourt arched an eyebrow. “Are we done here?” she asked, challenging them.
Fredrick had many questions, but he knew this was not the time or the place to ask them. “You may go, but we will expect to see you tonight.”
Miss Delacourt dropped into a low curtsy. “You are most gracious, my lord,” she mocked.
As she started to walk away from them, Roswell called out to her. “Would you care to make use of our coach?”
“No, thank you,” Miss Delacourt responded over her shoulder.
“Are you certain?” Roswell asked. “This part of Town is no place for a lady, and I cannot in good conscience leave you be.”
Miss Delacourt paused on the pavement and turned around. “You are rather vexing, my lord,” she said. “I am more than capable of finding my own way home.”
