Patrica Rice by The English Heiress Page A

asked without rancor. “They should have told Neville at once that you aimed for Elton Alley. Do you dangle them on your puppet strings that easily?”
    Blanche had known she wouldn’t like the path of this conversation. Glaring, she rang the bell for tea. “That is none of your concern. I refuse to hide in the country, if that is your plan. I have already hired a Runner. I expect a report from him shortly.”
    “He will report that our suspects are fled. If you had not appeared when you did last night, I might have questioned the boy who carried a message from Fiona. As it is, he escaped before I could find out more.”
    Blanche stared at him. “You didn’t tell me this.”
    He shrugged. “When had I the opportunity? It makes little difference. I’ve paid spies up and down the alley for information. If she’s there, or if she returns, they will send word. In the meantime, they can tell me little other than the red-haired woman has lived there some time, and the rough-looking men have come recently. The only one who seems to know Fiona is the lad, and he could have been lying.”
    Blanche twisted her fingers in her lap. “That doesn’t leave much for me to do.”
    “On the contrary, if you’re truly interested in finding her, your unlimited funds might have a use. I have a feeling we must trace Fiona’s origins to settle this matter. With your Runner and my spies working in London, we can do naught else on this end. But we can trace her from whence she came.”
    That we grabbed Blanche’s attention. She watched as the grim, straight line of his eyebrows relaxed and his features returned to their usual laughing structure. “Caught your interest, did I? Should the way lead there, would you be after seein’ the old country with me, now?”
    Blanche waited until the maid brought in tea, arranged the table, and departed. She no doubt scandalized the household by entertaining Michael alone. The butler would be at the door shortly, keeping an eye on the proprieties. She could just imagine what the world would say should she depart in Michael’s company for parts unknown.
    “Are you more interested in Fiona, or her family?” she asked, stalling. “The resemblance is admittedly striking, but you cannot persuade me that you are not Gavin’s brother. The two of you are too much alike in too many ways.”
    “We were raised by the same parents. Of course we’re alike in many ways. I made it perfectly clear long ago, my lady, that I am not the grandson of a marquess,” he said firmly. “And as curious as I am to find Fiona’s family for my own sake, it’s for hers that I go. Someone or something sent her fleeing far from home. The answer is back there, not here. Were it not for that explosion yesterday, I would leave you here. As it is, I can see no help for it but that you come with me. For the sake of propriety, I suppose you should bring a maid, but she must be discreet.”
    He actually meant for her to travel with him! She would probably have insisted on it in any case, but she couldn’t believe he’d suggested it first. Despite every opportunity to take advantage of weeks spent hiding together, he’d never made an improper advance, except for the one kiss to restore her confidence. Michael had that kind of honor. Unfortunately, he also possessed a rather peculiar morality that warred with the prevailing beliefs of society. He knew his offer was improper. He simply didn’t care.
    “What will I tell Neville?” she whispered, still disbelieving.
    “I didn’t think you told Neville much of anything,” he replied dryly. “He’ll think you’ve gone back to Anglesey. As we travel, you could send messages to your man of business so no one doubts you are alive and well. You might give some explanation to Dillian and Gavin. I would hate for them to chase after us. Other than that, we must travel incognito so your journey cannot be traced.”
    “It sounds too simple,” Blanche said. “Why all of a sudden