“That is what we thought you would say, which is why we decided to conduct a little investigation into you,” Fredrick said.
“Wonderful,” Miss Delacourt muttered. “I see that you wasted your time.”
“We don’t consider it a waste,” Fredrick responded.
Miss Delacourt arched an eyebrow. “Very well. What did your little investigation uncover about me?”
Roswell spoke up. “Your father is Baron Hungerton and you are his only child. You are in your third Season, and by all accounts, you are regarded by many as shy and timid. Some even describe you as a ‘wallflower.’”
“Impressive. You have uncovered precisely what I wanted you to learn about me,” Miss Delacourt said in a sardonic tone. “My cover is to blend in, and not be conspicuous in any way. To theton, I am just regarded as unremarkable in every way.”
“But we know that is not true,” Fredrick remarked. “How is it that you were recruited by Kendrick?”
Miss Delacourt frowned. “Kendrick caught me attending lectures at university, disguised as a man, and offered me a chance to work for him.”
“Why would you do such a thing?” Fredrick asked. “Your reputation was at stake if you had been caught by anyone else.”
“Men are not the only ones who wish to better themselves,” Miss Delacourt stated.
“I don’t dispute that, but women cannot attend university,” Fredrick pressed.
“Why is that, my lord?” Miss Delacourt countered. “What is it that men don’t want us to learn? Are they afraid of what will happen when a woman gets educated?”
Roswell put his hand up. “We are not here to discuss whether or not women can attend university, are we?”
Miss Delacourt nodded. “You are right,” she replied. “I do apologize. I’m afraid I can get rather passionate about topics that are dear to my heart.”
“As we all can,” Roswell graciously said. “Will you take a seat? We have much to discuss.”
She effortlessly crossed the room and lowered herself down onto an upholstered armchair. “I am not sure what you know.”
“Frankly, we know very little,” Roswell admitted. “We know that Lord Drycott is smuggling goods, and on his last shipment, he brought back two French spies.”
“That is all true, and I tracked those two spies to a boarding house, but I am unsure of their intention for being in England. That is the only reason why I haven’t brought them in yet,” Miss Delacourt said.
Fredrick did have a question. “How did you know that Caleb’s cover had been blown?”
Miss Delacourt pressed her lips together. “I slipped into the factory as a worker, and I overheard the conversation between Lord Drycott and a group of burly men. All I know is that Lord Drycott knew of his identity and was ordering them to kill him.”
“Why didn’t you step in and warn Caleb?” Fredrick asked.
“If I did, my cover would have been blown and it would have done us no good,” Miss Delacourt responded. “That is why I went and retrieved both of you. I knew you could help him, far better than I could ever have.”
Roswell interjected, “Does Caleb know you were working this case alongside him?”
“No,” Miss Delacourt replied. “Kendrick thought it would be best if we worked separately for the time being, but it wasn’t hard to make him out as an agent when I worked as a serving wench at The Rusty Anchor Tavern.”
“How is it that you are able to be a spy when you have a companion?” Fredrick questioned.
“With great care,” Miss Delacourt replied. “My father hardly notices me anymore and Mrs. Fernsby tolerates me.”
Fredrick heard her words, sensing an underlying sadness beneath her tone. Her admission seemed to have wounded her more deeply than she let on.
Miss Delacourt rose. “I intend to search Lord Drycott’s study at his townhouse tomorrow. With any luck, he will have more information about the purpose of the French spies being here.”
“We will accompany you,” Fredrick insisted.
She looked unimpressed by his offer. “One person can easily go undetected in Lord Drycott’s study, but three? Surely you cannot be serious.”
