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Letty turned to smile at the scullery maid before shaking her head. “Tis nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“Better be careful, they might lock you in Bedlam for that.” Alfreda grinned cheekily.
“Bedlam, you say? I have an uncle what was locked in there. You don’t want to go.” Minnie leaned in to contribute.
Letty raised an eyebrow, at a loss for what to say. “Well, that sounds unfortunate. Good luck to your uncle.”
“Oh, he’s dead now.” Minnie did not seem too cut up about it as her eyes fell hungrily on the cake dough Letty was mixing. “Can I have a scoop of that just to taste?”
Letty laughed before holding out her dripping ladle. Minnie squealed excitedly before swiping off some of the cake mix. Alfreda gave an embarrassed smile as she too extended her finger to scoop some of the mixture into her mouth. Still laughing indulgently, Letty went back to her vigorous stirring.
“Miss Strange?” a loud baritone shouted into the kitchen.
Letty turned with a start to see one of the footmen at the door. “Yes?”
“His Grace requests your presence in his study.”
Letty breathed in deeply.
Just relax. You were expecting this. Just tell the Duke the truth. That is all.
“Just a minute while I put this in the oven.” She murmured and poured the cake mix into a baking bowl. Slipping it into the oven, she turned to Minnie. “You’ll keep watch for me? Wouldn’t want it to burn.”
The kitchen maid nodded. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” She untied her apron and left it on the bench before following along behind the footman, hand on her chest in an effort to still her beating heart.
He paused outside the door, standing aside for her to enter. Knees trembling, she walked into the room. Bertram sat behind his desk while Wellington stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back. Both men looked somber.
She met Bertram’s eyes as he got to his feet. “You called for me?”
“Yes.” He gestured towards his guest. “Your Grace, Duke of Wellington, may I present Miss Jacqueline Letty Strange.”
She curtsied as prettily as she knew how, eyes downcast.
“Miss Strange.”
He nodded curtly to her but made no other response. Bertram turned to her. “Now, I’m sure you must have been expecting this—the Duke would like to speak with you and clarify a few things.”
Letty nodded. “I am ready.”
“Good.” Wellington stepped forward, “Have a seat, Miss Strange.”
Letty quickly dropped into the seat in front of her, surprised that her legs had held her up this long. In all her years of spying, she could not remember being so afraid.
“Now, Miss Strange, please do tell us everything you know about the Third Man.”
She giggled, truly surprised that he simply cut to the chase. “I know only the phrase, which I read in correspondence pilfered from the Duke.”
“Information which you passed on to your superiors?”
“Er, no. I was not able to do that.”
Wellington turned away towards the window, hands still clasped behind his back. “Miss Strange, are you lying to me?”
Mouth feeling dry, she swallowed, “Iwasgoing to pass the information on but I took ill and the Duke found me.”
Wellington turned back to stare at her. “I see. Well, that is, at least, a good start.”
