Page 32 of The Viscount of Shadows

Except for the tight, high neck, Claudia agreed. It reminded her of when she was a child and owned numerous pretty frocks. It was the last time she had worn anything so fine. “Your dress is lovely as well. The russet shade suits your coloring.”

Edwina flushed with pleasure. Yes, try as Claudia might to remain distant, Edwina and Olivia were not having it. Edwina, in particular, had made a concerted effort to engage in conversation, often waiting for Claudia to return from her undercover assignments in Notting Dale. Edwina would make her a hot tea, assist in removing Claudia’s disguise, and beg to hear all the details of Claudia’s night. Edwina had worn her down as she said she would. Claudia eventually welcomed the camaraderie. Who would have thought? She would welcome Olivia’s as well. But back to this afternoon’s tea gathering. One particular introduction had piqued Claudia’s interest.

The Countess of Darrington. Shinwell’s mother.

The older woman sat on the settee with another lady, the Duchess of Coldbridge, the Duke of Allenby’s mother.

Claudia gently laid her hand on Edwina’s arm. “I will return in a moment. Something regarding the case I am on.”

“Of course,” Edwina replied.

Claudia nonchalantly strode along the room’s perimeter, nodding and smiling to a few women as she moved closer to the countess and duchess, who were speaking intimately. She grasped a sandwich on her way by and nibbled on it. Lord, how horrible, some sort of fish pȃté with a thin slice of cucumber. Two things Claudia could claim: an acute sense of hearing and a sharp power of recall. And the excellent sense of smell.

Well, three things, then.

She stood with her back to the women, gazing out the window. She stood far enough away to not arouse suspicion but close enough to listen attentively.

“I do not know what to do, Christina,” the countess sighed. “Troy has become impossible.”

Troy Beckingham, Viscount Shinwell. The countess’s son.

“I understand completely. Gerard is at a loss as to what to do about Rome. He will not listen to his father.”

Romeo ‘Rome’ Linton, second son of the Duke of Coldbridge. Allenby’s mother had recently married the duke. Yes, it was a good thing that she possessed an ordered mind, or she would need cards pinned on a board attached with colored strings to keep this all straight.

“At least Coldbridge takes an interest in his son. When I try to engage William, he merely waves my concerns away, claiming that Troy is acting in a typical manner for young bucks, as he calls them. ‘I was one once,’ he declared. He acts proud of Troy’s shameful behavior. I cannot abide gossip, and already there is talk.” The countess sighed. “If only Troy could be more like Paris, Romeo’s older brother and heir. Such a gentleman, such an air of maturity.”

“Yes, Paris is an ideal son—and stepson—and heir apparent, to be certain,” the duchess replied. “Have you tried talking to Troy?”

“Yes. My son dismissed me out of hand and said I would not understand the pressures he is under as the heir and that he needs an outlet. He also said I was not to mention it again.”

The duchess snorted. “That, my dear, is a rationalization if ever I heard one. You could have him followed. As you know, my son married the owner of an investigative agency.”

“Yes, I could, but to what end?”

Exactly what Claudia had said to Tensbridge. After the information was gathered and presented to the client, it was up to the client to proceed. The agency’s role concluded. And to follow Shinwell about? Claudia did not wish to do it, no matter the monetary inducement. From what she had observed, the viscount was a complete arse.

“I have something to tell you,” the countess said, lowering her voice. Claudia stepped away. Sure enough, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the countess look around for anyone close by. Once the countess leaned in toward the duchess, Claudia returned to her previous spot by the window. “Years ago, I caught Troy with an older maid and a stable boy. They were having sex, the three of them. Troy was barely 15 years old, the stable boy not much older. The servants were dismissed immediately, but Troy received no punishment. William patted the boy on the back and said he was proud of him. The time for discipline has come and gone. I believe my son is beyond all hope.”

“Listen to me. You cannot say anything to anger your son,” the duchess said firmly. “He is the heir, and once your husband passes, Troy could act resentful, denying you comforts. Remember, he will hold the purse strings. Your future will be in his hands.”

“He will act that way, I know it,” the countess replied crossly. “Then, I wash my hands of him. Act politely enough when I must be in his presence, but otherwise, avoid him at all costs.”

“Etta!” the duchess exclaimed, clearly shocked.

“My niece, Celia, is married and lives near the Scotland border, so nothing keeps me here in London. You have no idea what I have had to endure. It has killed any regard I have for my son. He was a hellion from the moment he was born. Be glad Allenby is an honorable man, a worthy son. You are indeed fortunate. Treasure him. I will shed no more tears over mine. If Troy wishes to descend into debauched oblivion, so be it. He can sink. I will head to the country as soon as I can pack my trunks. And I may travel to Italy and places beyond when winter arrives.”

“What about your husband?” the duchess asked.

“He can sink as well, although I believe he reached lower depths long ago. We have not been getting along for ages. We hardly speak, let alone anything else. I have no idea what he gets up to, and I no longer care.”

Claudia headed toward Edwina. So, there will be no restraints on Shinwell, meaning he will sink and drag Linton and Bryan Wollstonecraft with him. The duchess will repeat this conversation to Coldbridge, and although Claudia never met the duke, she imagined he would not allow his son Rome to wallow much longer. She would relay this conversation to the Galways and to Tensbridge. It could likely convince him to close out the investigation and move forward.

Seeing Eleanora standing by the food table, Claudia hurried toward her. “May we speak alone?” she murmured.

Olivia must have heard, for she said, “Use the library. There is no one in there. Gideon is at his club with the rest of the members. Once out in the hallway, it is the third door on your right.”

Claudia and Eleanora found the room with no trouble. Once inside, Claudia closed the door behind her. She immediately told Eleanora everything, including the bonus money Tensbridge offered and the conversation she had just overheard.