The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress by Victoria Alexander Page B

managed?”
    “It’s not for me to say but, no. I don’t. Some of these items might be rather foolish, but it seems to me this endeavor of yours is in the manner of repayment of a debt. Quite honorable really.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Fairchild.”
    He cleared his throat, but the idea of a luscious Miss Merryweather posing nude for a portrait refused to be vanquished. “Might I inquire as to what your family thinks of your quest?”
    “They don’t actually know.” She shrugged in an offhand manner, as if the question was of no importance, but he would wager it was. Perhaps she was a runaway heiress after all. “It seemed best. My parents and my brothers would not share your opinion as to the honorable nature of my endeavor.”
    “I see.” He handed the paper back to her. “What do the notations beside each item signify?”
    “Miss West and I have marked them as to their degree of difficulty, and at least one, traveling the world, will have to wait for the future. But several can be combined and accomplished all at once. Why, just today I saw the house where Lucinda’s mother was born and discovered the cause of the estrangement with her family, which solved a mystery as well.”
    He nodded.
    “Others we shall be able to cross off the list with very little effort. As you can see, I have already acquired a dog. This is Albert, by the way.”
    Albert raised his head from her lap at the mention of his name and cast her an adoring look.
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Albert,” Cam said politely.
    Albert gave Cam what could only be called a look of disgust and again uttered a low growl.
    “Don’t mind Albert.” She patted the dog fondly. “He’s surprisingly protective given that we’ve only known each other a few days.”
    “Perhaps you don’t need my assistance after all.”
    “I truly wish I didn’t.” She paused. “But today was . . . well, it was frightening and I would prefer not to experience that again.”
    “You don’t strike me as a woman who would be frightened of anything.”
    “I don’t?” Surprise widened her eyes. “Not even a little?”
    “Only a fool would fail to be scared by what happened today.” He shrugged. “Aside from that, no, not even a little.”
    “What a lovely thing to say, Mr. Fairchild. I would imagine all that charm of yours comes in handy in your profession.”
    He smiled. “It has.”
    “It must be quite exciting. Being an investigator, that is. I daresay you’ve been in frightening situations any number of times.”
    “On occasion,” he said cautiously.
    “Come now.” She scoffed. “I can’t believe you haven’t been involved in incidents far more exhilarating than following two women around London.”
    He adopted a professional tone. “Surveillance is a large part of what we do.”
    “Then you must have witnessed any number of fascinating and scandalous things. Tell me, Mr. Fairchild.” She leaned toward him, her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “What is the most interesting thing you have observed?”
    “I really couldn’t—”
    “Oh, I’m not asking for names. Surely you can tell me something amusing?”
    Cam racked his brains. Phineas had told him about his previous cases but specifics eluded him at the moment. “Often, my client wants to know if his or her spouse is being unfaithful. Which involves the discreet observation of that spouse. But my surveillance usually ends at a door.”
    “That’s rather dull.”
    “To say anything more would be highly inappropriate,” he said in a lofty manner.
    “Good Lord, Mr. Fairchild.” She laughed. “I simply adore highly inappropriate.”
    “Very well then.” If he couldn’t remember anything from Phineas’s stories, he could certainly make something up. “I do recall one occasion where I happened to be watching the wife of a prominent gentleman. Her ‘friend’ had gained entry to what I assumed was her bedchamber by way of a ladder placed against the outside wall. Unfortunately for