Page 72 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

“Not to my knowledge, Your Grace.”

Nathaniel held his gaze a moment longer. It was not certainty. He had learnt to recognise the difference.

Petherick did too. He made another note and asked the printer to repeat the answer while he wrote it down.

Then he collected the papers and obtained a written account of how they had arrived at the shop. The proprietor read the account before signing it. Petherick read it after he had signed it. Only then did he close his case.

They left shortly thereafter.

Outside, the ordinary traffic of the lane seemed disproportionately loud after the close air of the printing house. Nathaniel drew on his gloves while Petherick tucked the case beneath his arm.

Neither described the visit as a victory.

They had recovered one set of copies. That was all they knew.

Nathaniel told Selina that evening.

She was in the study when he came in, reading one of Sowerby’s earlier reports. Several pages were spread before her in the order she preferred, with enough space between them to make clear that she was comparing rather than merely reading them.

Nathaniel entered carrying the packet.

Selina looked up.

He placed the recovered copies upon the desk.

She looked at the packet and then at him.

“What is that?”

“The copies intended for the printer.”

Her eyes lifted fully to his.

“You found him.”

“Sowerby did.”

Selina closed the report.

“You did not tell me.”

“No.”

Her face became very still.

Nathaniel remained where he was.

There were several answers available to him. None improved the fact.

“I thought we had settled this.”

“We had.”

“Apparently not.”

“I should have told you.”

The immediate admission checked whatever answer she had prepared.