The River Knows by Amanda Quick

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.”
    “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?”
    “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 as it is.”
    There was a short silence. Anthony switched his attention to Emma.
    He had picked up the scent, Louisa thought. There would be no distracting him now.
    “Very well, sir.” She folded her hands together. “I will explain myself, but I must warn you that there really is no choice but to cooperate. If you do not, we will likely continue to find ourselves tripping over each other for the foreseeable future.”
    Anthony studied her. “Mrs. Bryce, are you so bored with Society that you seek to take grave risks to your person merely to amuse yourself?”
    “I am going to tell you something that very few people know. Emma is one of those people. Another is the editor and publisher of the Flying Intelligencer .”
    “That rag? What in blazes can you possibly have to do with a disreputable paper that thrives on the most lurid sensations?”
    She had expected that reaction, she reminded herself. Nevertheless, she was crushed and annoyed by his casual disdain.
    “As it happens,” she said coolly, “I am a correspondent for that disreputable rag.”
    Anthony went very still. It was, she reflected, the first time she had seen him stopped cold in his tracks. She tried to take some satisfaction from that turn of events. His opinion of her had no doubt plummeted to a very low point, but at least she had managed to startle him. She had the feeling that did not happen very often.
    “You are a correspondent?” he repeated, his voice quite neutral.
    “A secret correspondent,” she clarified. “I write under the name I. M. Phantom.”
    “Well, it no doubt serves me right.” He shook his head and then his mouth twitched