Page 46 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

“He may lack the means.”

“Or he may have changed his purpose. Either would explain the silence.”

Nathaniel looked at the printed columns without seeing them. “You think there is another move.”

“I think it would be dangerous to assume that there is not. He has lost the force of this particular threat, but not the letters themselves. Nor has he lost whatever understanding exists between him and Giles.”

“Then we find out what that understanding is.”

“Yes.” Selina gathered the sheets and squared their edges against the table. “Before either man decides how next to use it.”

The clock in the hall struck one. Neither of them had noticed the hour.

***

Sowerby’s second report lay upon Nathaniel’s desk the following morning.

CONFIDENTIAL,

FOR THE PRIVATE ATTENTION OF HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF WEXFORD

Second Report on the Affairs of Mr Felix Rowland

Prepared by J. Sowerby, Confidential Agent

Summary of Findings

My first report established that the largest of Mr Rowland’s outstanding obligations is held by the Earl of Merrow. I am now satisfied that the connection between the two gentlemen is not the ordinary, arm’s-length relation of debtor and creditor.

Meetings Observed

I have traced three private meetings between Mr Rowland and Lord Merrow, each held at a chophouse off the Strand. Neither gentleman appears to have any independent business there. The frequency of these meetings, together with the precautions taken on entering and leaving, indicates a deliberate understanding between them.

Documentary Evidence

By means I will not commit to paper, I have had sight of a memorandum in Lord Merrow’s hand. Its language is guarded, but it promises the discharge of a portion of Mr Rowland’s debt in return for services rendered in a matter concerning “the D. of W.’s household.”

Conclusion

The evidence strongly indicates that Lord Merrow and Mr Rowland are acting in concert, and have done so since before the masquerade. Lord Merrow appears to have supplied knowledge of the Calvert family and the claim concerning the late Lady Merrow’s jewels. Mr Rowland supplied his access to Lady Georgiana and possession of her letters.

I cannot yet establish every particular of their intended design. I am satisfied, however, that neither gentleman’s actions can safely be considered apart from those of the other.

I await Your Grace’s further instruction.

J. Sowerby

Nathaniel read the report twice.

It supplied an answer, though not yet the whole of one. Rowland’s recognition of Selina at the assembly had not been chance. Giles had known where she was and what she had become. The false claim concerning the jewels bore the knowledge of a man who had been present during the administration of the estate, while Rowland possessed the letters with which pressure might be applied to Wexford’s household.

Nathaniel placed the report upon the desk and went to the window.

Friday’s silence no longer appeared an isolated failure. Rowland had not been acting alone, and whatever restraint had kept the letters from the presses might have belonged to Giles as readily as to him.

The memorandum mattered. Guarded though its language was, Giles had put the arrangement into his own hand. It was not yet enough to expose them without risk to Georgiana and Selina, but it was a point at which the conspiracy might be made to divide.

Nathaniel stood in the cold morning light and considered the order in which the pressure must be applied.