Page 57 of The Untamed Heart

“Go off? Like fish?” Sherry asked in confusion.

“Well, sort of. They certainly get up my nose after a few days, but no, I mean they go off. They leave. I can’t keep a valet for above three months.”

Sherry spent a moment imagining what life for Lucius’s valet would be like and all became abundantly clear. “You astonish me,” he said dryly before turning back to Howard, who was waiting patiently for them to stop bickering. “Is he in?”

“Yes, my lord. If you would follow me.”

The butler led them through to the study, where they found Hawkney standing by the window, his expression abstracted.

Howard gave a discreet cough and Hawkney turned with the air of a man with things on his mind.

“Sherry, how did it—?” He paused as Lucius followed Sherry into the room, unable to hide his horrified surprise. “Lucius!”

“You needn’t look so dismayed,” Lucius muttered, throwing himself down into the nearest chair.

Sherry sent Hawkney a reproving expression which seemed to startle the man, but really, Lucius had worked hard to get them the information they required. Hawkney need not look so distressed at having the man under his roof. Yes, Lucius was… different. An acquired taste, perhaps. But he had his merits. If Hawkney would give him a few minutes, Sherry might even be able to name some of them.

“Might we have tea? I’m famished,” Lucius said, his piercing eyes intent as he gazed about the room.

“Howard,” Hawkney said, to which the butler nodded.

“At once, sir.”

Sherry sat down as Lucius got up and began prowling about the room, inspecting the shelves.

“Well?” Hawkney asked, keeping a wary eye on Lucius whilst addressing Sherry.

Sherry sighed. “I believe we may have a situation.”

“A situation?” Hawkney replied with a frown.

Sherry opened his mouth to speak but Lucius beat him to it. “Keller is here. He’s come to murder Marcus.”

“What?” Hawkney exclaimed in shock.

“Lucius, what did we talk about?” Sherry demanded, turning in his chair to glare at the provoking fellow. “You must try not to be so damned blunt all the time. Have a little respect for a man’s nerves, will you?”

Lucius straightened with a book in hand, eyeing them both dubiously. “Hawkney, Major Keller is in Little Valentine. We believe his feelings towards Marcus might be less than friendly.”

“Much better,” Sherry approved.

“He means to kill him,” Lucius added. “In case you didn’t get that bit.”

Sherry pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Well, it’s important!” Lucius said crossly.

“Of course it’s important, but it’s only your opinion,” Sherry replied, determined to be patient. He turned back to Hawkney, who still looked appalled. “We have no proof of his intentions, but we did follow the man here.”

“Precisely what have I been wrong about so far?” Lucius demanded. “I’m always right. You know I’m always right.”

“And so modest with it,” Sherry murmured.

Hawkney nodded. “Where is he staying?”

“We don’t know that. We only just arrived,” Sherry replied tersely.

“Very well, I’ll have enquiries made. In the meantime, I have news too. A letter from Prufrock.” Hawkney opened a drawer in the desk and unfolded the letter.