Seduced at Midnight

Gideon watched all three men's reactions. Beechmore seem surprised, Walston confused, and Penniwick again fidgeted.

'That's enough of such a dreadful subject,' the countess broke in with an exaggerated shudder, shooting her daughter a warning look. 'Would you gentlemen like tea?'

They refused, and a few moments later took their leave. As the countess showed them out, Julianne approached the adjoining door. 'Did you glean anything from their reactions when I mentioned the murders?'

'Perhaps. That was clever of you.'

'I'm not the nincompoop everyone seems to think I am.'

'I've never thought you were a nincompoop.' His lips twitched. 'I thought you were a spoiled princess.'

A grin lurked around her lips. 'Yes, I know. Although you'd best be careful, as such flowery words might swell my head.'

'I said I thought you were a spoiled princess. I no longer do.'

Although it looked as if she wanted to question him, she merely murmured, 'I'm glad.'

Just then the countess sailed across the threshold and fixed her angry gaze on her daughter. 'Really, Julianne, you are such a trial. Why on earth would you bring up the murders?'

'I thought it would be helpful to Mr. Mayne to hear how the gentlemen responded.'

'And it was helpful,' Gideon added. 'Thank you, Lady Julianne.'

'Well, I won't have it. Lord Haverly is here, and there will be no talk of murders or robberies during his visit. He's brought that American, Mr. Jennsen, with him. I suppose we'll have to entertain him as well, although why he's here, I cannot imagine. He certainly couldn't think himself in any way suitable for an earl's daughter.'

With that, the countess swept back into the sitting room with an imperious, 'Come along, Julianne.'

Gideon watched through the crack in the door for the duration of Haverly's and Jennsen's mercifully brief visit. Jennsen didn't say much, and Gideon found himself very curious as to why the American was here. And with Haverly. His curiosity was satisfied within moments of their departure from the sitting room. Gideon planned to wait in the library until Haverly and Jennsen left, but a moment later, a knock sounded. At his bid to enter, Winslow entered.

'Mr. Jennsen would like to see you. Shall I send him in?'

'Please. But first, where is Lady Julianne?'

'The dining room, with the countess, for their midday meal. Caesar is with them.'

Gideon nodded. Jennsen entered a moment later and crossed the room to extend his hand to Gideon. 'I waited for Haverly to leave before I asked to see you,' Jennsen said.

'I know you arrived together. I didn't realize you two were friends.'

'We're not. However, I've learned that it's useful to remain close to those you are suspicious of.'

'Why are you suspicious of Haverly?'

'I simply added one plus one and arrived at two. It was his snuffbox you found beneath the window at Daltry's party. Less than twenty-four hours later, Lady Daltry was discovered robbed and murdered. Which makes me believe the snuffbox, and therefore its owner, could somehow be involved in your investigation. Unfortunately, I didn't learn anything of interest from Haverly, but I intend to keep at it.'

'While I appreciate your efforts, I prefer not to involve outsiders in my work. Especially as it could be dangerous.'

Jennsen nodded. 'Understood. And a very noble sentiment. But you are going to have to set it aside in this case, as I'm not letting go of this. In fact, what I've come to tell you is that I spent the morning in a meeting with Lords Surbrooke and Langston. As you can imagine, both are very concerned for their wives' safety, as well as Lady Julianne's. The three of us are therefore offering our services to you.'

'Thank you, but-'

'You might as well accept it, Mayne, because you're not going to deter us. Certainly not Surbrooke or Langston, who are like rabid dogs when it comes to any thought of their wives being endangered, especially as they both suffered through dangerous situations in the past several months. Therefore, we've determined that we shall be three extra sets of eyes and ears in the ton for you. Fists, knives, and pistols as well, if needed. That being the case, it would be helpful to know if there's anyone in particular we should be watching. Aside from Haverly.'

Gideon kept his gaze steady on Jennsen. He knew very little about this man. Certainly not enough to completely trust him. Especially since Jennsen had visited the house the day of the evening Lady Julianne was attacked. Yet his instincts told him Jennsen wasn't the man he sought. Still, if Jennsen were the guilty party, it couldn't hurt for Gideon to lead him to believe his suspicions lay elsewhere.

As for Langston and Surbrooke, he didn't know them well either, although he couldn't deny there was something to be said for men who clearly loved their wives as much as those two did. And Surbrooke especially had proven himself more than capable during the murder investigation two months ago during which his wife had nearly lost her life.

Except when directed to by his superiors, Gideon preferred to work alone. What about Henry?his inner voice asked. You often rely on him for help. True. But Henry was a trusted informant he'd known for years. Still, having a few members of the ton on his side could prove useful. And bloody hell, he'd do anything, anything, to keep Julianne safe.

'Three extra sets of eyes and ears might be helpful,' he admitted.

Jennsen nodded. 'Good. Now, who should we concentrate them on?'

'I'm currently looking at everyone who was in or entered this house the day before yesterday.'

Jennsen's expression didn't change. 'I was in the house then.'

'Yes, I know.'

'So I'm a suspect.' A statement rather than a question.

Based on him being at the house that day, he was. But Gideon couldn't dismiss his instincts that insisted Jennsen wasn't involved. 'I'm satisfied you're not the man I'm looking for.'

Jennsen flashed a grin. 'Although you don't sound as certain about that as I'd like, I'm delighted to hear it.'

'There are others, however, who have not yet been cleared to my satisfaction. Some who I expect will be at the duke's party tonight. Therefore, in addition to Haverly, if you, Langston, or Surbrooke were to observe Lords Penniwick, Beechmore, Walston, or the duke himself saying or doing anything suspicious, I would like to know.'

'Interesting group,' Jennsen murmured. 'Consider it done. I'll see you this evening.'

Jennsen took his leave, and Gideon headed toward the kitchen for something to eat, passing by the dining room on his way. He observed through the open door that Julianne and her mother were still inside, and he continued on. He enjoyed a bowl of hearty stew, then made his rounds through the house, rechecking all the windows. Afterward he headed outdoors and walked the perimeter of the house and grounds. The day was sunny, with the barest hint of chill in the air. And nothing seemed amiss at the Gatesbourne mansion.

After he completed his rounds outside, Winslow opened the double oak doors for Gideon, and he paused just inside the threshold. The duke stood in the foyer, removing his gloves. He barely spared Gideon a look, then jerked his gaze back. And narrowed his icy blue eyes. 'What are you doing here, Mayne?'