of opening Hastings’s safe last night?”
“The supposed suicide two weeks ago of a man named Phillip Grantley,” Anthony said.
Louisa looked at Emma for clarification. Emma shook her head, indicating she was equally mystified. That meant that Grantley had not moved in Society.
Louisa turned back to Anthony. “Who was Phillip Grantley?”
“My informant told me that Grantley was well acquainted 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.”
“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.”
“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
“The supposed suicide two weeks ago of a man named Phillip Grantley,” Anthony said.
Louisa looked at Emma for clarification. Emma shook her head, indicating she was equally mystified. That meant that Grantley had not moved in Society.
Louisa turned back to Anthony. “Who was Phillip Grantley?”
“My informant told me that Grantley was well acquainted 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.”
“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.”
“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
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