Page 7 of The Viscount of Shadows

“I am sorry now I agreed to stay with you,” Rett grumbled.

Oliver laughed heartily. “Come now, think of the adventure. Who doesn’t want to be a hero? You may even find some of it fun. And you will be doing a good turn, besides.”

“Fine, I will think about it. What of your servants? Are they aware of your hero status?”

“The butler, Dalton, is aware. Father never had a valet in town, and I aim to continue that tradition. I came home one night with a stab wound in my shoulder. Dalton attended me, very handy with needle and thread.” Oliver had stayed at the Tensbridge town residence during the summer and early autumn while his parents remained in Kent.

Rett’s eyes widened. “Stab wound? How is that considered a fun adventure?”

“Well, it’s not. The blackguard caught me by surprise, and the wound was not all that deep. Anyway, regarding Bryan. I am considering hiring an investigator to follow him and report his comings and goings. Not around the clock, but sufficient enough that we know what he is up to.”

“Which frees you up for other activities,” Rett snorted.

“And you. Let us face facts; who wants to spend valuable time following Bryan?”

The luscious lady from The Galway Agency entered his mind, though he could not ask for her specifically. That fiery red hair, her bold expression. Confidence oozed from her every pore. Oliver wished she had given her name—but he would discover it soon enough.

“I agree,” Rett replied. “Hire someone.”

Oliver smiled. “And I have just the investigative agency in mind.”