He had thought the conversation with his hostess would be smooth and quick. After all, was it not a usual thing that a single gentleman requested to be seated next to a particular single lady? At least, he had done it himself enough times. He had been more than surprised, irritated even, when he discovered from Lady Milton that Miss Dell was proving very popular. It seemed that two gentlemen had called earlier in the day to ask about the very same thing.
It was outrageous! Who were the scoundrels?
Lady Milton did not say, but drifted off to greet a recent arrival.
Giles had at least accomplished the second best—he would be seated across the table from Miss Dell. Milton’s table was not over-wide, not like some others where the distance rivaled the English Channel. Perhaps it would not be the most regular thing in the world, but he thought he would find his opportunities to speak to her across the divide.
This gain did come with a loss, though. He was to take in Miss Blessy. He must only comfort himself that there was to be no dancing. Miss Blessy could not go the wrong way while she was sitting in a chair. At least, he hoped not.
Giles had kept himself facing the drawing room door, waiting for Miss Dell’s arrival. He had barely noted the other guests arriving. Most of them he knew and he had already heard their most amusing stories many times over.
The one who had just come in, though, hedidnote. Sir John. Why should he be here? Giles was aware of Milton’s involvement in the Royal Society, but why should he be dragging in all sorts from his silly club?
He wondered if Sir John had been one of the gentlemen to call on Lady Milton earlier.
That devil!
*
Kitty entered LadyMilton’s drawing room and instantly noted both Lord Grayson and Sir John. Most alarming, both gentlemen seemed to be coming toward her with remarkable speed, as if they were in some sort of footrace.
“My God,” Frederick muttered next to her.
“Miss Dell,” Lord Grayson said, reaching her first. He nodded to Frederick. “Dell.”
Sir John was not a moment behind. “Miss Dell,” he said.
Lord Grayson shifted so that he was nearly standing in front of Sir John. “Miss Dell, I would wish to acquaint you with an investigative action I have taken to uncover Veritas.”
Kitty was taken aback. Had Penny been wrong, after all? She could not be certain, but it seemed extraordinary that Lord Grayson would have actually done anything to solve the mystery if it were just a trick to gain her attentions.
“Certainly, I would wish to hear of anything you have done regarding the matter,” Kitty said.
“We wouldalllike to hear it,” Sir John said crossly.
“Keep to your own investigations,” Lord Grayson said over his shoulder. He held out his arm.
Kitty allowed herself to be led.IfLord Grayson had truly done something, she must know what it was.
To Lord Grayson’s apparent annoyance, Sir John followed at a discreet distance. It was the most absurd situation in the world. As evidenced by Frederick’s raised eyebrows and smirk when Kitty glanced behind her.
Not wishing to call attention or in any way appear silly, Kitty said, “Lord Grayson, I am sure Sir John should hear of your endeavors as well. We must all work together, I think.”
Lord Grayson was less than gracious about it, but he did not absolutely refuse. Sir John joined them in their circle.
“If you will recall, Miss Dell,” Lord Grayson said, “all of this mystery springs from John Hill those many years ago. Whoever is Veritas seeks to call back to those days, perhaps as some sort of revenge. John Hill was knighted—Mr. Crackwilder thinks probably by the Swedes. I posit that he must have spent a significant amount of time there, and perhaps other places on the continent.”
“A logical leap, I think,” Kitty said, not entirely following wherever Lord Grayson was going.
“It occurred to me that Veritas must have some connection to John Hill. If not, why mention him at all? The note that was sent was not long, and yet he specifically links himself to John Hill.”
“I had not thought of that,” Kitty said softly. In truth, she had not given a moment to consider why or how the two might be connected. It was a clever suspicion and one that had merit.
“There must be a connection somehow,” Lord Grayson said.
“The connection is only in the idea of what John Hill represented,” Sir John said. “As was made clear in the letter.”
“If only there were a means of discovering if such a connection existed,” Kitty said, ignoring Sir John’s dubiousness.
