Page 19 of The Viscount of Shadows

“I will keep that in mind, my lord.”

“Please call me Tensbridge. I am still not used to all this ‘my lord’ falderal.”

“As you wish. The Duke of Allenby is making inquiries about Shinwell and Linton. I should have more to report the next time we meet. Shinwell is the heir apparent to his father, the Earl of Darrington. Do you know the earl at all?”

Tensbridge shook his head. “No. The Wollstonecrafts stay mostly near home in Kent. We do not socialize with London society except when necessary. My grandfather only traveled to the city when Parliament was in session. I imagine my father will do the same. I am only here because of the progressive caucus I am in. If only my brother’s interest ran more to helping others than helping himself.”

Progressive? How interesting. Her opinion of Tensbridge rose a notch. “Are there any other family members currently in the city that your brother might seek out besides your cousin, Garrett Wollstonecraft?”

Tensbridge shook his head. “No. My father and mother will arrive next month and stay at the Carnstone house near mine. And I believe another cousin will be traveling with them. Ronan Wollstonecraft. He is my Uncle Bennett’s son and 26 years old. He, Rett, I, and a few cousins grew up together. We are close. Ronan will no doubt come to stay with me at some point.”

“But your younger brother was not part of this tight-knit group?”

“No. Being five years younger, my brother did not fit in with our various adventures and revelries. Ronan’s twin brother, Ryan, was also part of our group.”

So Tensbridge was 27 years old. She thought him older, judging by the mature air he emanated. “Identical twin?” Claudia asked, caught up in the family narrative.

“No. My father and Uncle Bennett were twins, my grandfather and his brother, Riordan. None of them are identical. My parents did not have any twins.”

Claudia peeked up from her notebook and smiled at Tensbridge. “You have quite the family tree. How lucky you are.”

He raised an eyebrow as if trying to note the sarcasm in her statement, but he would find none. Tensbridge was blessed to have such a large, devoted family. And Claudia should not have commented on it. It made things too personal. Her smile disappeared as she continued to take notes.

“And you were not so fortunate?” Tensbridge asked softly.

“No. But I am not here to talk about me.” She stood abruptly. “I should go. I have much to do and will continue the surveillance tonight.”

Tensbridge was out of his chair in a flash, his movement so swift, it passed her sight as a wool suit blur. He took her hand, and that contact caused heat to wrap around her insides. What on earth was going on? Now, another man caused a physical reaction? It was so startling that Claudia pulled her hand from his as if she had been burned.

She took a step toward the door. “Shall I report back at the same time next week?” Her voice sounded cold to her own ears.

“Yes.” The viscount stood stock-still with his hands clasped behind his back. His intense gaze never wavered. “Until next week. Dalton!”

The butler stepped into the room. “Yes, my lord?”

“See that Miss Ellingford catches a hansom cab to her destination.”

Claudia headed toward the door with the butler.

“Good afternoon, Miss Ellingford.”

Claudia stopped in her tracks. His farewell was spoken with a subdued, almost sensual tone. No coldness at all. She turned, met his heated gaze, and nodded. “Good afternoon, my lord.”

Claudia had replied in the same soothing voice. What was she doing? Flirting? There was no time to think about her ill-thought-out response, so she rushed toward the door. As she followed Dalton through the front entrance, she laid her hand over her heart.

Hell’s bells, it’s pounding like mad.

Oh, this was not good. Not good at all.