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“In all fairness, this was mostly my fault,” Sabrina said.
“That’s true,” Graeme said. “I told you to steer clear of him.”
Well, that was annoying, when shewastrying to defend the man.
“May we please focus on the issue at hand?” St. George asked in a long-suffering tone. “We need some muscle to carry this moron out through the garden to his carriage.”
“Do you want me to fetch Lady Peregrim’s footmen, my love?” Vivien asked.
“I’d prefer my own men, so as to keep this as quiet as possible. If you could—”
“Sir, I realize the need for discretion,” Sabrina interrupted. “But I hope you’re not intending to entirely cover up this matter. While I understand you wish to preserve my reputation and Lady Ainsley’s dignity, Cringlewood must be stopped.”
St. George shot Graeme an irritated look. “You told her about Ainsley?”
“Och, the lass wouldn’t stop badgering me.”
“How I came by the information is immaterial,” Sabrina said with offended dignity. “What is not immaterial is the need for justice.”
“The marquess will face justice,” St. George replied. “I promise you that.”
“But—”
“Lady Sabrina, I will go to the king myself.”
“You can trust Aden, dearest,” Vivien said. “He’s just the one to take care of this nasty situation.”
“Iwastaking care of it until you lot bolloxed it up,” St. George said.
“Just ignore him,” Vivien said to Sabrina in a loud stage whisper.
Graeme flashed St. George a meaningful look. “So, we’re done here? I have that other business to attend to.”
“I already sent Cooper up, but you’d best check on him,” St. George cryptically replied.
Sabrina couldn’t help wondering what thatother businesswas. Some murky political affair was the likeliest explanation, given St. George’s rather mysterious duties with the Home Office. But what did Graeme Kendrick have to do with any of that?
“No need for any checking,” said another voice from behind them.
Vivien sighed. “This is rather turning into a garden party.”
“A bit dark for that,” Sabrina said.
“We can start a new fashion,” Vivien wryly replied. “A moonlit al fresco party.”
“Cooper, if you’re waiting for this absurd discussion to conclude, you’ll be waiting all night,” St. George said.
The fellow was broad-shouldered and stocky, dressed in the plain garb of a servant. When he cast Sabrina a cautious glance, she crossed her arms and lifted a defiant chin. She had no intention of leaving.
St. George waved an exasperated hand. “Just report.”
“I was too late, sir. Lady Peregrim’s room had been tossed, and her maid had already raised the alarm. Shrieking her fool head off, she was. The butler wasn’t much better. I had to shove ’em both back in the room and tell them to keep their blabbers shut. The butler had already sent for Lord Peregrim, though, so the cat’s out of the bag.”
“Was anything taken?” Graeme asked.
“Her ladyship’s jewelry box was smashed open. A set of pearls and a few diamond bracelets were gone. Probably more.”
Graeme muttered a quite shocking and inventive oath.
