“Good God,” Sterne said, horrified. “You cannot marry her.”
“Thus the favor. I’m making a list of everything of value that is not entailed. Perhaps I can put together enough money for that mill idea I told you about.”
Sterne still looked stricken. “I know you didn’t wish to destroy that old forest.”
“I still don’t. But neither do I wish to marry this mercenary in skirts—and no one else is lining up to have me.”
“I am sorry.”
“I’ll replant as I cut,” Tensford said, desperate. “It won’t be forever.” He slumped in his seat. “Just for two hundred years or so.”
Sterne sat quietly for a moment. “Listen, Tensford. I think you need a fresh perspective on your situation. You know I’m staying with my uncle while I’m in Town?”
Tensford frowned. “No. Is your father not in London? What with all the debate over the Corn Laws, I would have thought he’d be in the thick of it.”
“He’s here,” Sterne said flatly. “But as I still have no burning interest in politics, he cannot find any interest at all in me.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s more comfortable for all of us if I stay with my aunt and uncle.” He grinned. “Especially me. And I think you should come over and enjoy an evening with us. How about tomorrow evening?”
He looked over toward the printer’s shop. “Yes. Thank you, it sounds—”
He jumped up. “There’s the messenger. I’ll be there. Tell Lady Hope that I’ll take her driving, first. And tell Mrs. Fitz that I’ll be back for my things.” He bolted for the door, but paused before going through. “Sterne?”
“Yes?”
“Can I borrow your curricle tomorrow?”
His friend laughed. “Yes. And my matched bays as well.”
“Thank you!” Tensford darted across the street, narrowly missed a collision with a speeding hack, and slowed his pace when he neared the printer’s shop.
The messenger boy left the place, whistling.
Tensford passed him by, ducked into a doorway, then started after the boy, several paces behind.
They traveled back to Fleet Street, heading toward the Strand and the West End. The boy was in no hurry, with his mission accomplished. He greeted several people, stopped to speak with a street sweeper and bought a sweet bun from a woman with a cart.
It wasn’t until he’d stuffed in the last of the bun that something set him on alert, or his instincts kicked in. He started to walk faster. At a corner he stopped, looking back and taking note of everyone behind him.
Acting unconcerned and oblivious, Tensford passed him by. But some stray memory of the same sort of moment earlier must have registered. The boy bolted.
Tensford gave chase. He kept up while the boy stuck to the main street, but when he ducked down one alley and then another, Tensford began to lose ground. The urchin knew the back ways, and obviously where all the bolt-holes and short cuts lay. Tensford lost him.
Damnation.
He gave up, finally, and began the long walk back to Ludgate.
Chapter 7
Where is our Lord Tender? The gentleman has scarcely been seen in Society for days. Rumor has it that certain other members of his family have arrived in Town, perhaps that is the reason?
--Whispers from Lady X
The next day the sun shown down on a fine, spring day in Mayfair. Sterne had his rig all ready to go when Tensford arrived.
He let out a long, low whistle. “I’ll say it again, these bays are beauties. Sure you want to loan them to me?”
“I’ve seen you drive to an inch. The bays will be fine. But dare I trust you to the hands of Lady Hope? She seems a resourceful girl.”
“She’s quite a wonderful girl,” he corrected.
When Sterne waited expectantly, he sighed. “With a dowry of two thousand.”
“Ah. I thought you seemed as if you were in something of a quandary.”
Tensford didn’t respond.
Sterne stopped him before he climbed aboard the curricle. “You recall, you’ve promised to return for dinner? My aunt and uncle have got together a little party, and they are expecting you.”
“I’ll be here. Thank you for keeping my kit upstairs for me. And thank you, Sterne, for allowing me to take your rig out just a bit early.”
His friend looked troubled, but he nodded. “I’ll see you tonight.”
It took a while to get through the busy streets. Everyone was out enjoying the sunshine today, it seemed. But he pulled up before Childers & Son near the proper time.
Only a few moments passed before the boy appeared. He was early. He moved quickly and watched the faces on the pavement as he approached. He hadn’t yet looked to the parked rig.
Tensford waited until the lad nearly reached the door. He gave a short whistle and an order. “Do not run.”
The boy froze. He looked over and up—and his eyes widened when he saw the gold sovereign that Tensford held aloft.
“Tell your employer that I wish to talk. I have questions to ask and things to say to her, but I wish her no harm.”
Eyes still on the coin, the boy nodded. Tensford tossed it to him, took up the reins, and pulled away.
* * *
Hope watched at the window, praying he would come. She hadn’t seen Tensford in days. She was gambling and she knew it. She just hoped she hadn’t already lost the game.
She gave a little hop of joy when he pulled up before the house. She
