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“I believe the lady has made her feelings toward you quite clear,” replied Fairford.
“Do you intend to pursue her hand?”
The blond man shrugged. “I don’t see why I shouldn’t.”
I can think of one very damned good reason…Henry held his tongue in check and focused on finding answers. “Why have you suddenly changed your mind? Have you begun to harbor a tendre for her?”
The other man snorted. “Marriage is a business arrangement first and foremost. She is a wise investment, being from a decent family and having a substantial dowry. Marrying her will silence my father’s constant harping on the subject and provide me a measure of peace. The fact that she is attractive is merely a windfall.” His eyes, which had been full of avarice, now gleamed with lust. “One I shall certainly enjoy to the fullest extent possible—at least until my heir swells her belly.”
Henry’s reaction was swift and angry. “You’ll never reach the end of the aisle.”
After a tense moment, Fairford laughed. “You surprise me, Montgomery. I never thought you the sort to play the fool over a silly woman.” The smile vanished. “If I wish to attempt to win the lady’s hand, it is within my rights. Until she accepts someone’s offer, she is fair game. Don’t get in my way.” Without further conversation, he departed.
Henry let him go unhindered. For now.
About that time, he saw Percy. He went and stopped him. “Have you a moment?”
“For you? Always.”
Quickly, Henry ushered him into a salon.
“This is about the redhead, isn’t it?” said Percy as soon as the door was shut. He grinned. “First she spurns you and Chadwick, and now she bats her eyes at Fairford; I must say I’m rather surprised he was invited, actually. I thought you didn’t like him much.”
“I’m fairly certain he wasn’t invited, and I like him even less now. Every instinct tells me something isn’t right about him.”
“Oh, come now. Are you certain this isn’t just a bit of jealousy on your part? You can’t fault the man for admiring the lady.”
Henry glared at him. “I’ve no reason to be jealous. What do you know about him?” he asked, ignoring the dubious expression on the other man’s face.
“Well, it’s common knowledge that he went to live in Paris after leaving university,” answered Percy. “He returned three years ago and took up with the Childers woman almost immediately…must’ve developed a taste for more than cognac brandy while across the channel.”
“Why was he there to begin with, I wonder?” mused Henry.
“Does a man need an excuse for Paris?” said Percy with humor that quickly sobered under Henry’s gaze. “I assumed that, like you, he must have been there on the Crown’s business.”
“No.” Henry shook his head. “I have knowledge of the king’s objectives in France and the names of those who’ve been assigned there. Fairford has never served England in such a capacity. What of attachments?” he prompted, moving on. “He’s been here long enough to have formed friendships and alliances.”
Percy shrugged. “Other than the Childers woman, his father, and a few country cousins—you remember young Thomas from university? Very decent fellow, that one—I don’t know of any. His father is very social, but from what I can tell his son isn’t the chummy sort. Though he’s been seen hanging about with Fenton of late, but that’s a new development.” He paused, his brows puckering. “I really know very little about him, which is rather curious, considering I know nearly everything about everyone.” He grinned and bounced on the balls of his feet. “I hear quite a lot of gossip. The ladies are ever so eager to inform.”
“Let us stay focused, shall we?” Henry interjected before the man could begin elaborating on his favorite pastime. “It seems Fairford is adept at making acquaintances and just as skilled at preventing them from progressing beyond that point. He joined my circle for a bit, just long enough for everyone to know his name, but then he drifted on.” Until tonight…
“He did the same with mine,” said Percy, frowning. “I didn’t think anything of it until now. I noted at the time that he wasn’t one for talk. Never initiated the conversation, always seemed more keen on listening, though he did contribute the occasional comment here and there.”
“He’s trying to build standing without letting anyone get too close,” Henry muttered. “Can you recommend someone reliable and discreet to have an eye on him?”
“That serious, is it?” said Percy, lifting a brow. “She must be a real Helen of Troy to have you launching an investigation on the man.”
“This is more serious than that. While it is true that I wish to protect Sabrina, my duty to England comes first.” He knew Percy would
jump to conclusions and hated to deliberately mislead him, but he needed his help and didn’t wish to suffer constant interrogation about his personal affairs.
“You suspect he is spying for the French?” whispered Percy, all traces of humor gone.
Henry neither affirmed nor denied the supposition. “It might be nothing. I would have the guard watch him, but I do not wish to alarm the king or cast suspicion on the man without just cause. If evidence of subversion is found, I will have him arrested immediately.”
“I know several good people,” said Percy. “Shall I have them contact you?”
“As soon as possible.”
