Page 33 of Tempting the Marquess

“William. You must agree we should be on a first-name basis, if only due to our long association.”

“Fine,” she replied irritably, cheeks pink. “Since you are feeling verbose, my lord, why were you and Stephen fighting?”

“As I said earlier, a difference of opinion.”

“Oh please. It looked like he wanted to rearrange yournose.”

Exactlytrue.

William shook his head. “Not at all. It’s been a while since Stephen has made it to Mr. Jackson’s; he wished to test his reflexes.”

“Poppycock,” she snapped. Then she sighed and fiddled with her reticule clasp. “If you don’t want tosay…”

He let the silence lengthen, until she broke it with a determined smile. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to pass on greetings from an old friend of yours. Well, the grandfather of an old friend. He was Papa’s special guest at dinner the other night.”

“Oh? Which old friend?”

“Mr. Ashcroft. Paul Ashcroft’s grandfather.”

William felt his brow furrow. “I don’t know anyone by thatname.”

“Yes you do! Mr. Ashcroft said you and Paul have been good friends since Cambridge. And that you both have special, secret duties for,” her voice lowered, “the Home Office.”

His blood iced. No. No!

Somehow he managed a short laugh. “Ashcroft! Sorry, I thought you said Anscroft. How is the old reprobate? Does he still have a gaze to stop you in your tracks?”

“Yes!” she said, grinning. “I’ve never seen such pale gray eyes before. But he seemed very nice. Although he did tell me a terribly odd tale about a new role you had. Something about, er, interrogating women and children in pursuit of others. I’m sure he’s misinformed. You wouldn’t be involved in anything so underhanded.”

William sucked in a breath. Bad enough the accuracy which meant a serious security breach, but Claremont the probable traitor had sat a deadly enemy next to his own daughter.

As his gut churned, he widened his eyes in rueful amusement. “Interrogation of women and children in pursuit of others? What an extraordinary story to tell. I am attached to the Home Office, but my talents run as far as translations and a bit of research, I’m afraid.”

Pure relief lit up her face. “I knew it. I knew he was wrong. I’m so sorry, I hope you aren’t offended.”

“Not at all. By the by, did Ashcroft look well? I believe the poor man suffered a brain fever lastyear.”

“Very well, actually. His whiskers needed a trim, they nearly reached his jaw, but he looked in good health. I’d have never known he was ill—his color was good, he had a sweet tooth, and a belly like Papa’s to prove it,” she finished with a giggle.

“What is so amusing, Sam?” Aunt Jane enquired, as she rejoinedthem.

“Your niece is explaining the pitfalls of dessert.”

“How disappointing. I was about to suggest we retire to Gunter’s and order an excessively large platter of sweets.”

William forced a smile. “I wish I could. Unfortunately, I have a meeting that cannot be postponed. But I’d be delighted to escort you anothertime.”

After returning both ladies to Forsyth House, William immediately made his way to Whitehall. Knocking perfunctorily on White’s door, he entered the room to see the man himself examining some shipping maps with an eager gaggle of clerks.

“Ah, Standish,” White announced as though he’d been expecting him. “That will be all thank you everyone.”

The clerks scattered. White folded his arms and tilted his head. “Your grim face suggests news I won’t want tohear.”

William sat on a chair so he didn’t throw it. “A few nights ago, the Claremonts hosted a dinner. Apparently I have an old Cambridge chum and Home Office colleague named Paul Ashcroft. His proud grandfather spent hours regaling Lady Samantha with tales of our youthful misadventures. But alas, he doesn’t approve of my newest duty, thinks interrogating women and children in pursuit of others is ungentlemanly.”

White went rigid. “Was Lady Samantha able to provide a description of her dinner companion?”

“Gray eyes, scruffy whiskers, well-preserved, and a penchant for dessert.”