Page 9 of The Viscount of Shadows

Eleanora Galway called a gathering in The Galway Agency meeting room (the former study at Cleveland Street). Around the table was Eleanora, The Galway sisters’ cousin, Sybil Norton, Edwina Callen, and Claudia.

“First, let me relay the good news that Althea came through her operation with flying colors. After her release from the hospital, she will be convalescing at the Allenby town house; no doubt tended to by the Duke of Chellenham.”

After being hired, Claudia was informed that Eleanora’s sister, Althea Galway, had experienced a recent health crisis. Although the details had not been revealed to the agency employees, it concerned Althea’s leg, and she would no doubt need to use a cane for some time while recovering.

“But as soon as she feels more herself,” Eleanora continued, “she will return to work. I imagine it will be a few weeks, not months.”

“Oh, that is good to hear,” Edwina enthused. “And when is the wedding to take place?”

“Before Christmas, I believe,” Sybil interjected. “A small affair.”

In other words, no employees are invited. Not that Claudia minded one way or the other. She liked the ladies in this agency well enough but decided it was best to keep things courteous and professional. This new direction in her life had thrown her for a loop more than she thought it would.

“And on to business.” Eleanora organized her notes. “Viscount Tensbridge contacted me. He wishes to hire our agency to do surveillance work on a family member that he and the family are concerned about.”

“Viscount Tensbridge, coming here?” Sybil exclaimed. “Brilliant! More aristocratic customers are just what we need. Think of the fee we can charge!”

“Who is Viscount Tensbridge?” Claudia asked, looking around the table.

“Oliver Wollstonecraft, heir to the Earl of Carnstone,” Eleanora replied.

Edwina bit on her lower lip. “Oh, dear.”

“What is it, Edwina?” Eleanora asked.

“I cannot be involved with the case, as I have a prior dealing with the viscount,” Edwina relayed quietly. “Well, before he became viscount. Several weeks ago, Mr. Wollstonecraft asked me out to tea. It did not go as well as I had hoped, for he dropped me here, and I haven’t heard from him since. Rather rude, I must say.”

“Allenby told me that Tensbridge has been attending two family funerals in Kent these past weeks. It is why he is now Viscount Tensbridge,” Eleanora replied.

Edwina flushed. “Of course, I should have realized. Regardless, it is best another take the case.”

“Perhaps you are correct,” Eleanora said. “Claudia, this will be your first solo investigation. How goes the Sir Tristan situation?”

“The past several nights, we have followed him to three brothels and two gaming hells. I have secured testimony from some of the workers at these places. Edwina need only take a few nights to wrap it up,” Claudia responded.

“Excellent work, the both of you,” Sybil smiled.

“It was mostly all Claudia,” Edwina said. “She was very convincing in her disguise.”

No one knew of her past except the Galway sisters, and they did not even comprehend all of it. But it would be polite to acknowledge the compliment.

“Thank you, especially to Edwina. She is an astute supervisor.” Claudia gave Edwina as warm a smile as she could muster. This was another thing the investigative sisters were unaware of, nor were her former street worker associates. Claudia was all but dead inside. Emotion hardly entered any facet of her daily life.

It was a protective gesture, a means by which to avoid being hurt. Claudia was self-aware enough to understand that aspect. But feelings had been chipped away in her past—and because of her past. How could they not be? That is why encouraging any close friendships would not be prudent. The other ladies undoubtedly found her aloof at times, but Claudia had no choice. The behavior had become ingrained in her daily dealings with individuals.

“Viscount Tensbridge will be here in three days at two o’clock. Claudia, I wish you to sit in on the meeting.”

Claudia gave a short nod. The conference continued for another twenty minutes, discussing upcoming cases. The sisters could pick and choose as they had more inquiries for their services than they had time to pursue them all.

When it was adjourned, Edwina took her aside. “He is quite handsome,” she whispered.

“Who?”

“Oliver Wollstonecraft, the new viscount. He will be pleasing to look at, at any rate. Tall, with dark wavy hair, and well-formed. Very well formed, from what I could tell. Those shoulders.”

“Will you step out with him again, if he should ask?”

Edwina bit her lip once again. “No. Although an initial spark, there was nothing under the surface. I felt uncomfortable the entire time we were together. I had no idea he was an heir to an earl when I first agreed to an afternoon stroll. Had I known, I would have refused.”