with Elwin Hastings. It appears that Grantley
handled Hastings’s business affairs. Hastings happens to be in the midst of putting together another
investment consortium, just as he was last year when Fiona and Mrs. Hastings died. I found the
coincidences too intriguing to ignore.”
Comprehension struck Louisa. She sat forward, excitement pulsing through her. “That is why you
attended the same balls and receptions that I attended this past week. We were both seeking information
on the other members of Hastings’s investment consortium.”
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
“Yes.” He smiled faintly. “I noticed you when I found myself practically tripping over you in Lord
Hammond’s library.”
She had just picked up her cup. Shocked, she set it down again with a loud clang of chine-on-china.
“What are you talking about?”
“On the night of the Hammond ball you entered the library in what could only be described as a furtive
manner about thirty seconds after I got there.”
She stared at him, appalled. “You were already inside the library that night?”
“I sought shelter behind the draperies,” he said. “It was a bit awkward. Can’t recall the last time I was
obliged to conceal myself in that fashion.”
“Good heavens.” Chastened, Louisa slumped back in her chair. “You were actually there in the library
when I searched it? I was so sure I had been unobserved.”
“As you can imagine, my curiosity was aroused,” Anthony said, watching her intently.
“Later that evening you requested an introduction,” Emma observed.
That was the night he had first danced with her, Louisa thought wistfully. The night when she had allowed
herself to dream a little.
“When I noticed you slip away to search Wellsworth’s library a few evenings later,” Anthony continued,
his attention still on Louisa, “it became clear that we might well share a mutual interest in Hastings. Last
night you confirmed my theory. I think the time has come to pool our resources.”
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
“Hmm,” Louisa said.
“Before we proceed,” Anthony added deliberately, “I have a question of my own. Considering how
much I have confided in you, I would appreciate an answer. In fact, I think it is fair to say that I deserve
one.”
She sat back in her chair. “You want to know why I am investigating Hastings’s financial affairs.”
“It seems a reasonable question under the circumstances.”
Reasonable or not, she would have to answer it, she decided. If she did not, he would probably refuse
to join forces. And it was clear to her now that that was the only way she would be able to pursue the
investigation to its conclusion. The lure of reporting two murders in Society was irresistible.
“Very well, I will do so, sir, under one condition.”
Emma pursed her lips. “Louisa, I am not at all certain this is a good idea.”
“Forgive me,” Louisa said gently, “but I feel I have no choice.” She looked at Anthony. “Will you
agree?”
“It depends on the condition,” he said evenly.
“If you wish my assistance in this matter, you must agree to a partnership.”
Anthony’s eyes tightened a little at the corners. “You wish to become involved in an affair of murder,
Mrs. Bryce?”
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
“I wish to help you investigate Mr. Hastings,” she corrected evenly. “I am not yet convinced that you are
right when you say that he is a murderer twice over. Nevertheless, you have made me sufficiently curious
to want to inquire more deeply into the matter.”
“Why the devil would you want to help pursue a killer? It is dangerous work.”
“Yes,” Emma put in swiftly. “Very dangerous work. Louisa, I really don’t think you should go forward
with this plan. You take enough risks
handled Hastings’s business affairs. Hastings happens to be in the midst of putting together another
investment consortium, just as he was last year when Fiona and Mrs. Hastings died. I found the
coincidences too intriguing to ignore.”
Comprehension struck Louisa. She sat forward, excitement pulsing through her. “That is why you
attended the same balls and receptions that I attended this past week. We were both seeking information
on the other members of Hastings’s investment consortium.”
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
“Yes.” He smiled faintly. “I noticed you when I found myself practically tripping over you in Lord
Hammond’s library.”
She had just picked up her cup. Shocked, she set it down again with a loud clang of chine-on-china.
“What are you talking about?”
“On the night of the Hammond ball you entered the library in what could only be described as a furtive
manner about thirty seconds after I got there.”
She stared at him, appalled. “You were already inside the library that night?”
“I sought shelter behind the draperies,” he said. “It was a bit awkward. Can’t recall the last time I was
obliged to conceal myself in that fashion.”
“Good heavens.” Chastened, Louisa slumped back in her chair. “You were actually there in the library
when I searched it? I was so sure I had been unobserved.”
“As you can imagine, my curiosity was aroused,” Anthony said, watching her intently.
“Later that evening you requested an introduction,” Emma observed.
That was the night he had first danced with her, Louisa thought wistfully. The night when she had allowed
herself to dream a little.
“When I noticed you slip away to search Wellsworth’s library a few evenings later,” Anthony continued,
his attention still on Louisa, “it became clear that we might well share a mutual interest in Hastings. Last
night you confirmed my theory. I think the time has come to pool our resources.”
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
“Hmm,” Louisa said.
“Before we proceed,” Anthony added deliberately, “I have a question of my own. Considering how
much I have confided in you, I would appreciate an answer. In fact, I think it is fair to say that I deserve
one.”
She sat back in her chair. “You want to know why I am investigating Hastings’s financial affairs.”
“It seems a reasonable question under the circumstances.”
Reasonable or not, she would have to answer it, she decided. If she did not, he would probably refuse
to join forces. And it was clear to her now that that was the only way she would be able to pursue the
investigation to its conclusion. The lure of reporting two murders in Society was irresistible.
“Very well, I will do so, sir, under one condition.”
Emma pursed her lips. “Louisa, I am not at all certain this is a good idea.”
“Forgive me,” Louisa said gently, “but I feel I have no choice.” She looked at Anthony. “Will you
agree?”
“It depends on the condition,” he said evenly.
“If you wish my assistance in this matter, you must agree to a partnership.”
Anthony’s eyes tightened a little at the corners. “You wish to become involved in an affair of murder,
Mrs. Bryce?”
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
“I wish to help you investigate Mr. Hastings,” she corrected evenly. “I am not yet convinced that you are
right when you say that he is a murderer twice over. Nevertheless, you have made me sufficiently curious
to want to inquire more deeply into the matter.”
“Why the devil would you want to help pursue a killer? It is dangerous work.”
“Yes,” Emma put in swiftly. “Very dangerous work. Louisa, I really don’t think you should go forward
with this plan. You take enough risks
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