sanctuary. Soft, luxurious sofas were placed on either side of the fireplace and small tables and comfortable upholstered chairs in deep crimson and green velvet were drawn into the room to accommodate conversation circles. Stephen’s multitude of plants enhanced the ambience.
A ray of sunshine peeked through the diamond-paned windows. The street had begun to fill with vendors and early strollers. Soft rays stroked Calliope’s cheek as she pressed it against the cool glass. The world once again seemed normal.
Calliope shook her head, feeling foolish about her frightened thoughts from the previous night.
Grimmond appeared in the open doorway. "A card for you, miss."
Calliope accepted the card. "Grimmond, were things well at the other townhouse? Did you speak with Stephen?"
"The house was not up to its usual standard, but the staff has promised to do better. I was unable to speak with Mr. Chalmers."
"He was in residence?"
"Not while I was present. However, he had been there earlier in the day. "
Calliope nodded and Grimmond shut the door. She opened the note.
Calliope,
I apologize for missing you last night. I will make it up to you this eve.
Stephen
The words were written in a careless script. He must have been in a hurry.
She didn’t know what had occupied him last night, but at the masquerade tonight they would share a good laugh at her misgivings. She smiled softly yet couldn’t shrug the lingering unease.
Calliope had been looking forward to the masquerade. The affair was bound to provide countless opportunities for her pen to fly.
Stephen had suggested they attend separately, and in the spirit of the event attempt to discern each other’s identity.
Perhaps she would even see Angelford. An image of him pulling her into his arms popped into her head. Her skin tingled. Calliope shook her head to clear the thought and sternly reminded herself that she didn’t even like the man.
James was ushered into Holt’s townhouse as Mr. Ronald Ternberry was exiting.
"Good morning, Angelford," Ternberry said, "I wasn’t aware you had scheduled an appointment with Lord Holt today."
"I wasn’t under the impression I was required to go through you to visit . "
James stepped past Holt’s banal secretary, not waiting for a response. Ternberry had an exaggerated notion of his own importance and probably assumed James would consult him next time.
Holt was seated at his desk and rose when James entered his study. The older man didn’t appear surprised to see James, although his words belied it.
" Angelford, didn’t expect to see you here until our meeting next week."
"Thought I’d stop by to see how the debriefing went yesterday."
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Chalmers said he filled you in on the details this past week."
"Yes, we discussed it the other night, although I would like to have been present at the meeting."
Holt stroked his chin and sat. "I figured as much, but needed you to look into the trouble we are having in the north with the smugglers. Ternberry will send you the notes from Chalmers’s debrief."
"Have you put Stephen onto something new?"
Holt nodded. "Chalmers is doing some extended work and Roth is nosing into another matter for me. Otherwise, we’re in a bit of a lull."
Lull? If there were ever a lull, Holt would probably shoot himself like Castlereagh had. The man thrived on intrigue and titanic schemes, and where there were none, he created them.
"Stephen didn’t mention he was leaving again so soon," James said.
"He wasn’t supposed to." Holt smiled.
Holt had been in charge of the unit for fifteen years and was a tight-lipped soul. James was the same way, but found it an annoying trait in others. He didn’t expect Holt to elaborate, although if he pushed, Holt would probably relent. But something still didn’t feel right. The hesitation
A ray of sunshine peeked through the diamond-paned windows. The street had begun to fill with vendors and early strollers. Soft rays stroked Calliope’s cheek as she pressed it against the cool glass. The world once again seemed normal.
Calliope shook her head, feeling foolish about her frightened thoughts from the previous night.
Grimmond appeared in the open doorway. "A card for you, miss."
Calliope accepted the card. "Grimmond, were things well at the other townhouse? Did you speak with Stephen?"
"The house was not up to its usual standard, but the staff has promised to do better. I was unable to speak with Mr. Chalmers."
"He was in residence?"
"Not while I was present. However, he had been there earlier in the day. "
Calliope nodded and Grimmond shut the door. She opened the note.
Calliope,
I apologize for missing you last night. I will make it up to you this eve.
Stephen
The words were written in a careless script. He must have been in a hurry.
She didn’t know what had occupied him last night, but at the masquerade tonight they would share a good laugh at her misgivings. She smiled softly yet couldn’t shrug the lingering unease.
Calliope had been looking forward to the masquerade. The affair was bound to provide countless opportunities for her pen to fly.
Stephen had suggested they attend separately, and in the spirit of the event attempt to discern each other’s identity.
Perhaps she would even see Angelford. An image of him pulling her into his arms popped into her head. Her skin tingled. Calliope shook her head to clear the thought and sternly reminded herself that she didn’t even like the man.
James was ushered into Holt’s townhouse as Mr. Ronald Ternberry was exiting.
"Good morning, Angelford," Ternberry said, "I wasn’t aware you had scheduled an appointment with Lord Holt today."
"I wasn’t under the impression I was required to go through you to visit . "
James stepped past Holt’s banal secretary, not waiting for a response. Ternberry had an exaggerated notion of his own importance and probably assumed James would consult him next time.
Holt was seated at his desk and rose when James entered his study. The older man didn’t appear surprised to see James, although his words belied it.
" Angelford, didn’t expect to see you here until our meeting next week."
"Thought I’d stop by to see how the debriefing went yesterday."
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Chalmers said he filled you in on the details this past week."
"Yes, we discussed it the other night, although I would like to have been present at the meeting."
Holt stroked his chin and sat. "I figured as much, but needed you to look into the trouble we are having in the north with the smugglers. Ternberry will send you the notes from Chalmers’s debrief."
"Have you put Stephen onto something new?"
Holt nodded. "Chalmers is doing some extended work and Roth is nosing into another matter for me. Otherwise, we’re in a bit of a lull."
Lull? If there were ever a lull, Holt would probably shoot himself like Castlereagh had. The man thrived on intrigue and titanic schemes, and where there were none, he created them.
"Stephen didn’t mention he was leaving again so soon," James said.
"He wasn’t supposed to." Holt smiled.
Holt had been in charge of the unit for fifteen years and was a tight-lipped soul. James was the same way, but found it an annoying trait in others. He didn’t expect Holt to elaborate, although if he pushed, Holt would probably relent. But something still didn’t feel right. The hesitation
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