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He let the side of his mouth lift. “I prefer it from afar.”

“Hence the painting?”

“Exactly,” Edward said, tapping Dunstan softly on the shoulder with the tip of his cane. “Come around next week and we will talk more about it.”

“That would be very nice, thank you.”

“Do not thank me yet. Bring me some examples of your work so that I might decide.”

“Of course,” Lord Dunstan replied.

Edward nodded and continued on his way. Marianne was arriving next week. Now that he had explained his part in the Lucinda fiasco, his sister would take Dunstan’s measure. Would she forgive him for his part? Perhaps. It would be amusing to witness in any case.

Five more minutes of walking saw him standing in front of the rather elegant building on Church Street. A tailor’s shop occupied the bottom floor, but up the stairs, as he understood, was the new home office of The Ring, headed now by his brother Anthony. When he tapped on the door, there was a small scuffle inside before the door cracked open.

“Edward?” Anthony said as he opened the door. “Why the devil are you here?”

“Nice to see you too.” He pushed the door wider, forcing his brother to back up and let him in. “I heard a rumor that you had taken residence here.” Edward looked around at the small parlor with two armchairs and a fireplace that actually had a fire going. Beyond was another door. From the doorway, he could see a large desk surrounded by boxes.

“I have. Are you checking on me to make sure I am doing my job? I believe I left a dispatch with you last week.”

“Not really, I have need to discuss something with you.”

Tony frowned.

“And to see your new office.” He strode over to one of the chairs and flicked his coattails out of the way before sitting down.

Anthony closed his office door. “I am still settling in.”

Edward let just a hint of a smile play on his lips. “So I see. Why don’t you hire a secretary?”

“Oh, ha ha.” Tony sat in the other chair and sat back, crossing his legs.

“I received a message today and it is concerning.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “All right. Who was it from?”

“I do not know. A footman was handed it at the door.”

“So, what did it say then?”

Edward took it out of his jacket pocket and handed it to his brother. Watched as he read it.

“A mole?”

“Somebody is getting paid to trade on our parliamentary secrets.”

“On the corn laws or the glass tax?”

“Neither, I believe. What happens in the House of Lords is different to what happens in the House of Commons.”

“I will take your word for it. So, what do you want from me?”

“I need your eyes and ears, or at least those of your men.”

“I can do that.”

“Thank you. This means I will likely need to go to the House more than usual. I am going to ask Charles to help me with some of the estate business, just the correspondence at this stage. Surely, he is capable of that. I do not have time to hold his hand.”