Page 12 of The Viscount of Shadows

“Excuse my tone,” she offered contritely, looking to Eleanora and Tensbridge. “I meant no disrespect. It appears I tumbled out of the wrong side of the bed this morning. I will throw myself into this investigation immediately, my lord, including discovering more about your brother’s housemates.”

Tensbridge nodded. “Thank you, Miss Ellingford. I must be off. Meetings at Parliament.” He stood, and Eleanora called for Mrs. Bartle.

Claudia stood as well and came to stand before him. Those eyes. Not a shade she will soon forget. “I would like to arrange a sit-down interview with you, my lord, perhaps at the end of the week? I can give you my preliminary report and ask more in-depth questions regarding your brother.” She added a brief smile to show the appropriate amount of eagerness.

“Is it just me you disdain, or my entire class?” His voice was low, his gaze intense. Standing this close, she could see a ring of gold around the irises of those extraordinary eyes. There was a tiny mole above his upper lip. How distracting. The man really was a handsome specimen. A flutter moved through her insides.

Attraction? It’s best to dismiss that immediately.

“Oh, it is the entire class. Nothing personal at all, my lord. I will restrain my derision in the future, I promise.”

There, the hint of a smile. It makes the viscount all the more appealing; drat it.

Mrs. Bartle handed Tensbridge his coat, hat, and gloves. “Good. Then I will see you Friday afternoon at two o’clock to hear your first report.” He nodded and left the room.

“Claudia,” Eleanora began.

“I know. I do apologize; that was not well done of me.”

“Mrs. Bartle, please bring us a tea tray. When is my next appointment?” Eleanora asked the housekeeper.

“Not until half past four. I’ll fetch the tea.” She hurried off, leaving them alone.

Eleanora pointed toward a chair, and Claudia sat. “It was not well done, and it cannot occur again. The agency treats all clients respectfully, regardless of class, gender, race, or other classification. Let me tell you about The Rakes of St. Regent’s Park. You might wish to take notes.” Eleanora was not overtly angry; she spoke matter-of-factly. Regardless, Claudia heard a slight admonishment in Eleanora’s tone. Claudia felt her cheeks grow hot. New life, indeed. Claudia nodded in response and pulled out her notebook and pencil—the ones Althea said she should always have on her.

“Indolent peers formed the club twenty years ago to seek excitement and adventures in moral iniquity. Over the years, the membership has ebbed and flowed. It now consists of a small group of friends and acquaintances, of whom most are married now. In the past months, the group’s purpose has turned to more of a charity bent, but the few unmarried members still pursue certain vices.”

Claudia wrote furiously.

“The current membership includes my husband, Christian Bamford, the Duke of Allenby. Gideon Broyles, the Duke of Watford. Damon Cranston, the Duke of Chellenham, and Althea’s intended. Asher Colborne, Baron Wenlock. Merritt Redfern, Viscount Tolwood. Troy Buckingham, Viscount Shinwell. Oliver Wollstonecraft, Viscount Tensbridge. Mr. Gregory McFadden and Lord Rome Linton. And my husband tells me Mr. Rett Wollstonecraft, a cousin of Tensbridge’s, will join the group.” Eleanora spoke slowly, pausing after each name, giving Claudia time to write everything in her notebook.

Mrs. Bartle brought in the tea. On the tray were a plate of sandwiches and another of assorted biscuits, homemade ginger and store-bought Peek Frean and Company Garabaldis, a flat raisin biscuit, and chocolate-covered digestive biscuits. Claudia was famished.

Eleanora poured the tea. “The unmarried ones are from Tolwood onward. As far as Viscount Shinwell and Lord Linton, who is the second son of the Duke of Coldbridge, I do not know much about them. The Duke of Coldbridge recently married Christian’s mother, making Rome my husband’s stepbrother. But they are not close, though Christian has tried to include him in the family.”

Eleanora passed her an empty plate and then held out the platter of sandwiches. Claudia took five wedges. She would say this of The Galway Agency: the food was plentiful and well prepared. Even better than at The Velvet Vine. It certainly improved over one meal a day at the Ten Bells.

“Shinwell has a reputation,” Eleanora continued as she held out the platter of biscuits. “I suppose you could refer to him as the main rake now that Chellenham is engaged to my sister. If Bryan Wollstonecraft is staying with Shinwell, then the young man will be pulled into Shinwell’s pursuit of depravity, I have no doubt. Linton, as well. I will ask Christian to ask around about the two men discreetly.”

It astounded Claudia that a duke would be assisting his wife with investigations, but credit where it was undoubtedly due. Perhaps not all aristocrats were soulless bastards.

The bell sounded, and Mrs. Bartle rushed down the stairs. A few moments later, she entered the room and announced. “The Duchess of Watford.”

Claudia stood and watched a beaming and beautiful Olivia Durham, now Olivia Broyles, a duchess, cross the threshold. Olivia held out her hands, and Eleanora took them.

“So good to see you, Eleanora.” She turned toward Claudia and smiled. “Mary. Or rather Claudia.” Olivia embraced Claudia, startling her into inaction. “You can hug me in return,” Olivia whispered. Feeling awkward, Claudia patted Olivia’s back.

They parted. “I stopped in to see Althea,” Olivia continued. “What a scene! Damon fluffed her pillows and poured her tea. Who would have thought?”

Eleanora laughed. “Certainly not me. I thought Chellenham was an unrepentant rake, but I was mistaken, as he genuinely loves Althea and is completely devoted to her. Mrs. Bartle, please bring another cup.”

“At once, Miss Eleanora.” The housekeeper departed as the women sat at the table.

“Your housekeeper doesn’t call you, “Your Grace’?” Olivia asked.

“While here at Cleveland Street, I am Eleanora Galway. Besides, Mrs. Bartle is like family. I would never insist on addressing me as such.”

“I am not interrupting anything?” Olivia asked as she removed her gloves.