A few minutes later there was a tap on my door. Thinking it was Blackford or Emma, I stood by the window, soaking in the cool breeze, and said, “Come.”

Sir Henry strode in. “Where is it?”

I stared straight at him, trying not to give away by a glance that I’d hidden the letter in my pillowcase. “I couldn’t find it.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true. It’s not in her room. Do you have any other ideas where she could have hidden it?”

He grabbed my wrist. “No, but you’d better. I can’t get my hands on the blueprints, and if she ruins me, I won’t hesitate to let everyone in on your attempted thievery, your husband’s dishonesty, and your lack of funds.”

I tried to wiggle away but failed. His grip would leave a bruise as bad as the one he’d left on my shoulder. “Let go of me.”

“Not until you agree to do as I say.”

I struggled, not wanting to scream and have Sir Henry ruin my false identity before we recovered the blueprints. “I’m trying to.”

“Trying isn’t good enough. Get me that letter, or I swear I’ll destroy you.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"YOU need to consider your words before you threaten this lady again,” came from behind Sir Henry as Blackford strode into the room.

Sir Henry dropped my arm.

“Your Grace,” I said, curtsying with relief that I was no longer alone with my blackmailer. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough to know this scoundrel needs to leave immediately if he values his life.”

“Stay out of this, Blackford. She’s not your sister,” Sir Henry said.

“She’s a woman I care about. Leave her alone.”

“Mrs. Monthalf isn’t under your protection or control. You don’t get to order her around like you did Lady Margaret.”

Blackford’s expression grew steely.

“He blocked practically all of Lady Margaret’s suitors as not being worthy of a duke’s sister. Now he’s trying to have the same control over your life. Beware, Mrs. Monthalf,” Sir Henry said, turning his back on Blackford.

“You’d better leave, Sir Henry.” I tried to put a note of regret in my voice, but I really couldn’t wait for him to go.

He gave me the stiffest of bows and stormed out of the room, shutting the door with more force than necessary.

“I have something for you.” I took the letter out of my pillowcase and handed it to Blackford.

He read it quickly, then looked it over again more slowly. “How did you get this?”

“Sir Henry wanted the letter back from Lady Peters, who obtained it from Lord Hastings. He says her price to return it is the stolen ship blueprints.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“Neither do I. Why would she want ship blueprints?”

The duke gave me a thunderous look. “Why were you searching her room for him?”

I gave him a smile, but his expression made the corners of my mouth droop. “You know why. Sir Henry has me doing his dirty work because he learned Georgina Monthalf is broke and he can ruin her.”

“I’ll take control of this,” he said, putting the letter in the pocket of his dark brown vest. “Play him along, but don’t get caught alone with him.”

“Gladly.”

“Now, Georgina, would you like to sit in the garden with me?”

I put on my straw boater before I gave him my arm. As we walked slowly downstairs, I couldn’t get over the change in his dress. He looked relaxed in his beige lounge suit, even though his collar was still stiff and of course he wore a necktie, which matched his vest. Perhaps it was like me being relaxed in my work clothes, although I still wore a corset.

I was beaming at our spending time together without searching anything or questioning anyone. I gave his arm a squeeze. He gave me a contented smile.

He put on a brimmed hat of soft felt as we stepped outside and then angled the hat to give him a rakish air.

I blinked at this change in the duke. “You look so different.”

“We’re in the country,” was his explanation. “There’s a bench over there in the shade. Can you walk that far on your ankle?”

“If I can’t, you can carry me.” I gave him a grin.

Wonder of wonders, he laughed. A deep, booming laugh.

We sat down on the dust-free bench. Apparently the staff cleaned the outdoor furniture daily. “We need to hold hands to keep up appearances,” Blackford said.

I gave him my hand. “Gladly.”

“You should wear that color more often. It makes your eyes a brilliant violet.” Reddening, he turned to face the immaculately trimmed garden. “It would be nice if all of life were like this, but then I guess we wouldn’t appreciate it.”

“Thank you for arranging this trip.”

“Finally forgiven me for taking you away from—” He stopped as we heard footsteps coming toward us.

Looking over our shoulders, we saw one of the footmen approaching. “Your Grace,” he said with a bow, “Lord Harwin would like a word with you.”

“Of course. If you’ll excuse me, Mrs. Monthalf?”

I nodded to him, and he was off. The sun went behind a cloud as he left.

The garden was lovely, but I didn’t see it as I sat enjoying the shade and wondering why Lady Peters wanted ship plans and why Lady Bennett took Clara to see her shortly before Clara’s death.

“May I join you?” a German-accented growl asked.

“Please, Baron von Steubfeld. Isn’t the garden lovely?”

“Yes, it is.”

He sat and we studied the garden in silence for a minute before the baron said, “Perhaps you and Lady Monthalf and the Duke of Blackford can visit my country this fall. I think you would find it most enjoyable.”

“I’m sure we would. I think Lady Monthalf and I could agree to travel then, but I can’t speak for the duke.”

“Can’t you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m sure I can’t.”

I could have sworn his mustache twitched before he said, “I’ve been watching you. Your friendship with the duke seems to be all business.”

I started to rise. “I beg your pardon.”

“No, no. I meant no disrespect to a lady,” he hurried to assure me. “Your friendship is like a partnership, all quick meetings before and after you question people. It doesn’t seem to allow much time for romance.”

The baron had apparently been watching me as I watched him, and his interest made me uneasy. “I’m not related to the peerage. While I would love a deeper friendship with Blackford, he has to marry someone more in line with his station.”

“Ah, the English. So concerned about their petty titles.”

“And the Germans aren’t?”

“We admire and reward—what is the word I want?—spunk. That’s it. Spunk. And you are a young lady of spunk. If the duke were German, I’m sure he would marry you.”

“But he’s not.”

“No. But you must think of your future. Come to Germany and see if anything or anyone there attracts you. Or if you, as a widow, can find ways to strengthen your bank account for the years ahead.”

“Even if something appealed to me, I’m English, not German.”

“These are labels only. Think about it. Travel can open your mind to all sorts of possibilities.” He rose. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to make sure the embassy has not fallen apart in my absence.”

We nodded to each other, and as he walked off, I was left wondering if he’d invited me as a diplomat to travel in his country or begun to recruit me as a spy. Or, good heavens, did he proposition me?

The air was so pleasant, smelling of flowers and fresh breezes, that I lingered on the bench. I was shocked to see the figure of the man I’d known as Sir Jonah Denby quickly coming around a tree, heading in my direction. “How does the investigation go?” he asked.