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How, exactly, he knew they were up to something he did not approve of, she had no idea, but he’d always had an instinct for that sort of thing. Maybe it was Evie sitting up in her chair, gaze fixed ahead of her, eyes slightly glazed, the way she often did when she was arranging facts in her head.
“What are you ladies talking about?” he asked suspiciously.
“The gossip about Lily and Nathan,” Josie replied immediately. The statement was not entirely untrue since that had been the initial topic of their conversation.
“Did you know some of thetonare calling it luck that I married him right before he became an earl?” Lily asked indignantly, tilting her nose in the air. After spilling his secrets to Josie and Evie, she was not quite able to meet her husband’s eyes as he followed Elijah into the room.
Hopefully, he thought it was because she was upset over theton’s cruelty.
Elijah snorted.
“I can guess who might be saying such things. Do not let it trouble you.”
“I know you are not taking any pleasure in your increased station,” Nathan said, moving around Elijah and along the back of the sofa to put his hand on Lily’s shoulder.
The gesture was comforting, which had the side effect of making her feel even guiltier about listening to his conversation with Mr. Moore, then sharing it with her friends. The more she saw of Nathan, the better she liked him, but her ultimate loyalty still had to be to her friends and country.
Had he told Elijah about his findings? Or had he kept silent to protect his family’s reputation?
Lily had no way of knowing. He had not told her his suspicions, only talking to Mr. Moore, who already knew, which did not reassure her. He still might have told Elijah. Elijah was a man and a good proxy for the Marquess of Camden, to whom Nathan reported. The knowledge grated since, as his wife, Lily thought she deserved to know.
“Nathan and I have a few things to attend to,” Elijah said, looking past Lily at his wife. “We will leave you to get settled in.”
“Very well.” Josie waved her hand at him imperiously, dismissing him from the room. “I will speak with you later.” From the slight change in Elijah’s expression, he had quickly caught on that when Josie said she would speak to him, she clearly meant she would question him—and would expect answers.
Was it possible, one day, Lily might do the same with Nathan? The thought was intriguing.
* * *
Nathan
Since Anthony had not arrived yet, Elijah and Nathan decided to visit the stables to look over Devil and Sebastian’s tack. Eventually, Nathan wanted to question Harker and Moore about the list, but they may as well wait for everyone to arrive. Anthony should be along shortly—and Rex, though Nathan was not sure the lord would have anything particularly useful to contribute.
Nathan, Anthony, and Elijah had worked together for years under the Marquess of Camden. Rex had become involved in the investigations, thanks to his wife. Something Nathan would do well not to forget.
Miss Stuart had been remarkably quiet so far, but she was the one who had recruited her friends in such an ill-advised manner.
Sending debutantes after traitors. Really. The very idea was ludicrous.
Which means the traitor would likely not see it coming.
The thought popped into his head and made Nathan scowl even more. While that might be true, it was for good reason. If they were caught in an unfortunate situation, the ladies could hardly defend themselves as well as the men. Just look at what had happened with Lily and the highwayman.
Although she did have a good right hook, which Nathan did not think most debutantes possessed, that had hardly saved her, now had it?
“Whatever Harker saw, it’s completely gone now,” Elijah murmured, running his hand over Devil’s hindquarters. The stallion shifted his weight slightly but settled quickly enough.
“Which was probably the plan.” Nathan’s jaw clenched. “With everyone rushing out to search for Sebastian and the commotion once they found his body, there was plenty of opportunity to sneak in and remove whatever they’d put on his saddle.”
“Do you think it would have been on the saddle?” Elijah mused as they exited Devil’s stall. “Is it possible it was a glancing shot that missed both Devil and Sebastian?”
“Possibly.” Nathan considered the suggestion. “Seems risky, though. We can go out to the site later today. While there would have been plenty of opportunity for a shot, it would have to be done from a considerable distance.”
“Which could explain the poor marksmanship.”
Closing the stall door behind them, Devil snorted and tossed his head.
“Sorry, old boy,” Nathan murmured, holding out his hand with the slice of apple he’d been saving for the end. The big horse knew he had it, which was why he’d been so well behaved until they were out of the stall. Devil did like his bribes. “We’ll let you out for a run later today.”
