Page 29 of The Sprinter
“Oh, it’s solved, is it?” Lester said, tearing his eyes away from his feet. “Excellent news.”
Jacobs’ butler came back into the room with a note on a silver salver. “This just arrived, sir.”
Jacobs tore it open, his fingers trembling and trepidation filling him over what it might contain. It was Ryland’s mark and if it was anotherSorry old man, do not comemissive he would know he was on his way to ruin.
As he scanned its contents, Jacobs felt as if his heart was slowly dropping in his chest. Lord Ryland was sorry to say that it turned out the mystery he offered this year would be better solved in a smaller crowd. Ryland was terribly sorry to rescind, but was certain Jacobs had plenty of other diversions on his calendar and would not miss it.
“Somebody has got to these people! Somebody is setting out to destroy me!” Jacobs cried.
“Who is it?” Lester asked breathlessly.
“How should I know?” Jacobs said, attempting to control his irritation. Lester was all well and good for a few laughs over brandy, but he was absolutely useless for anything else.
“Well,” Grubbs said, “it’s probably somebody you mocked. I don’t know where you would start withthatlist, old boy.”
*
While Grace didfeel some little trepidation about attending Lady Redfield’s musical evening, she reminded herself that it would be small and she would be among friends. She was also not at all opposed to the dress that Lady Heathway had suggested, as it was lovely. Made of the finest India muslin with embroidered lilies at the hem and around the bodice and sleeves, it had a soft and elegant drape. As was true with all of Lady Heathway’s designs, the lily pattern was subtle and in the same white as the dress. The whole effect was fresh as springtime and unencumbered. It was to be topped with a marvelous cloak of white velvet with the tiniest lilies in silver thread running round the trim. Her only jewelry would be a delicate gold cross. Lady Heathway’s taste really was unsurpassed.
She wondered if Lord Gresham would attend, and she wondered if he were a friend or no. It was becoming difficult to land on one side or the other. He had done a terrific job of insulting her. But then, he had not condemned her as harshly as she probably deserved the night beforeandhe’d proved himself a powerful ally in the park with Mr. Jacobs.
She had thought, on the night of Lady Easton’s ball, that she had taken his measure. Now, he seemed inscrutable. What he did not seem, though, was any less handsome. Even in his quiet fury in the park he’d been the best-looking man she’d ever seen. As she must get herself married though, he was turning into a bit of an impediment. Even gentlemen she thought pleasant and attractive were somehow measured against him and found wanting.
She really must get past admiring his person. She’d probably limited herself as to a choice of husband quite seriously, as any gentleman would have to account for the actions ofThe Sprinterto his friends and family. Not many would like to be associated with such a story. She must consider herself lucky if anybody asked at all. She must also be prepared to like him, whoever he may be.
It was the most pointless idea in the world to wish it might be Lord Gresham. She did not even like him! Or he, her. And yet, did she like him? It seemed very strange that she would. Yet, her thoughts did seem to continually drift in his direction.
As she had time before Betsy would arrive to help her into the dress, she wandered to the window to observe the doings on the street. Though she had climbed out of that window the night before, it was a far more usual habit to sit on the wide sill and watch the activity below her.
It was that time of day, the sun nearly set, when the street grew quiet. Residents of the neighborhood had returned from their outings and now prepared themselves to go out again in the evening.
She had thought there would not be much to see, and indeed there was not. Only a lone gentleman across the street. He was tall and remarkably lean and dressed in a somber black suit that hung on him like a rack. She would have presumed he was somebody’s physician, but he did not seem to hurry in any particular direction.
As she watched him, she thought his behavior very odd. Rather than going in one direction or the other, he paced back and forth.
Perhaps he was waiting for someone to arrive?
The man stopped and peered at her window. Grace looked back at him, wondering why he did so.
He looked almost shocked to see her there and promptly jumped behind a lamp post.
What on earth was he doing? His behavior was almost comical. He might be thin, but he was not thin enough to be concealed by a lamp post.
The man slowly peered round the post, looking up at her again. Finding her still looking back at him, his head snapped back and disappeared again.
An idea began to dawn on Grace. And, the more she thought about it, the more sure she was right.
This man, whoever he was, had been hired to watch the house. He’d been hired to watch her window. He’d been hired to ensure she did not attempt a second descent.
Why would Lady Heathway do such a thing?
No. It was not Lady Heathway. She thought she understood the lady well enough to know that if shehaddone such a thing, she’d come right out and say so. She’d say something like, “Now Grace, you won’t mind that I’ve hired a fellow to watch out of doors. I really cannot have you climbing down the drainpipe again—it shatters Ranston’s nerves.”
Lady Heathway was opinionated and could be prickly, but she was not secretive.
No. This circumstance smacked of Lord Gresham, who was highhanded enough to do such a thing and who thought he always knew best.
Of course, itwouldbe best that she never reenact the ridiculous drainpipe descent and she had no intention of doing so. But to put her under guard! Did he think her such a dunderhead that she might try again at any moment? It was outrageous.
