Page 10 of The Detective and the Baroness

“And yet, even though you initially refused to assist, you barreled into Notting Dale with policemen in tow.”

“Yes. While recovering, I received a dressing down from Inspector Stanhope for the misuse of police resources. Still, by the end of the reprimand, the inspector grudgingly admitted that the police had ignored Notting Dale for far too long.” Mitchell paused. “On a deeper level, I wanted to protect my friends.”

“But you cannot discuss the particulars,” Drew murmured.

“It is not my story to tell.” No, that was Oliver Wollstonecraft, Viscount Tensbridge’s story. Tensbridge’s secret life as a vigilante in Notting Dale was the reason they met. Claudia Ellingford had worked for the Galway Investigative Agency. The three of them became immersed in quite the adventure, culminating in the confrontation with Danaher. Oliver and Claudia were now off on a five-month-long honeymoon to Spain and Scotland. Mitchell had missed the small wedding due to his injury, but they’d come to see him before they departed. He and Oliver had become good friends—Claudia, too.

Mitchell glanced at Drew, reflectively studying him from across the table. Drew was very different from Damon. He was much more self-contained. Though Mitchell supposed the same could be said for him, to a point. Except where the baroness was concerned.

Mitchell took another swig of his drink. “I found Hallahan.”

“Well, you are good at your job,” Drew said, smiling.

“It was luck, pure and simple. Hallahan has a reputation, though according to a source, he no longer runs a brothel. By all accounts, he is trying to run a more legitimate business. I walked by, and the place was packed to the rafters. I admit the food odors emitting from inside were enticing.”

“Did you go in?” Drew asked as the server delivered their beefsteaks. Mitchell delayed his response until the waiter departed.

“No. I thought I’d wait until we could go together. He is huge, taller than both of us and muscular. And he has dark hair. But get this: the man I spoke to described him by saying, ‘he has blue eyes like yours.’ Imagine.”

Drew shook his head. “That appears to be the one feature that all of the duke’s progeny share.”

Mitchell grunted in the affirmative as he cut into his beef. “When will you be seeing your father next?”

“Tomorrow. I am invited to a family dinner. They came to London for shopping but are heading back to the country estate in East Sussex for Christmas in a few days.”

“Are you going with them?”

“Not this year. Why do you ask?”

Mitchell shook his head. “Never mind. Your viscount father is only in town a few more days. I’ll find another way.”

“Go on, tell me. My father knows just about everyone worth knowing and some who are not. He runs a large progressive caucus within The House of Lords.”

“I need information on the new Baron Addington. My appointment this afternoon was with Lady Addington. They are estranged, and she wishes me to follow him, to find out what he is doing with his days. But first, I need background information on him.”

Drew took a forkful of roasted potatoes. “I will discover what I can.” He ate the food and swallowed, then gave Mitchell a sly smile. “The baroness? The very one that nursed you back to health? The one you gazed at yearningly when she came into the room?”

Mitchell snarled in response.

“Easy… I shouldn’t tease. I usually do not display such mawkish behavior. But I feel at ease around you and let down my guard. I want us to be honest with each other and, yes, be more than doctor and patient, or landlord and tenant. I want us to become friends. And if you think it possible, at some point, brothers.”

“You have siblings, don’t you? With the Hornsbys?” Mitchell asked gruffly.

“I do,” Drew replied as he sipped his wine. “Brother Hayden, and sisters Covina and Clarrisa. But I am quite a bit older than they are.”

“Just how old are you? I never asked.”

“Twenty-five. I will be twenty-six at the end of this coming March.”

As young as all that? Mitchell might have guessed around thirty.

“You look shocked,” Drew stated.

“I am, rather.”

“And your age?”

“Thirty-two. My thirty-third birthday is this coming June.”