An Inconvenient Arrangement (The Rose Room Rogues 3)

“I already gave them one when you were busy making wedding plans.” The summons then had also been curt. He’d met with Sir Phillip and told him what he’d seen the night the Ambassador had been confronted. Another man had been present in the office at the time who Dante had never seen before. A small, quiet sort who Dante thought looked like a squirrel as he scribbled away. The man took notes and then handed the paper to him which Dante read over and signed. At the time it appeared his part of the investigation was over.

“I didn’t know you had already met with Sir Phillip.”

“He didn’t ask in his summons to have you present as well, so with you so busy with Diana and Amelia, it slipped my mind.”

Lydia studied the note again. “Yet now he wants to see both of us.” She shrugged and dropped the missive on the table. “I guess we will find out soon enough.”

* * *

The next morning, Dante and Lydia left Hunt’s townhouse and climbed into his carriage for the trip to Sir Phillip’s office. They were both silent, having enjoyed meager sleep the night before. Once they’d returned from the club and climbed into bed, they reached for each other, sleep far from their minds.

Dante had been thrilled at how receptive Lydia was to his attentions. She’d turned out to be an enthusiastic bed partner, willing to try things he’d never expected a woman of her station to indulge in. Although he’d had his share of ladies of the ton in his bed, they had always been widows, not young innocent women.

Yes, this marriage would not be the boring, insipid relationship he’d always assumed marriage would be.

Lydia sat with her head resting on the soft leather squab, her eyes closed. She was perfection. Smooth, soft skin, features that were not perfect, but lent a bit of interest to her face. But the best part of his wife, aside from how she’d embraced the marriage bed, was how much he enjoyed her company. The numerous women he’d bedded over the years had been for only one purpose. He’d found it exciting that in between making love during their three day trip, they’d discussed numerous subjects.

He’d confirmed what he’d always thought. Lydia was an intelligent woman with a soft, caring side. Who would have known he, the sworn bachelor, would step willingly into the parson’s noose and then enjoy every moment? Life certainly had a way of moving one in a direction never anticipated.

Sir Phillip greeted them at the door and led them to his office. ‘Twas hard to read the man since he had the ability to keep a straight face, showing no emotion no matter the situation.

“Felicitations on your marriage,” Sir Phillip said as he took his seat behind the desk and waved at the two chairs in front of him for them to sit.

“Thank you,” they said together.

The man actually smiled at them which was quite a surprise. “I didn’t know about the happy event until I sent the note to you and Driscoll was kind enough to send a message back that you were on your honeymoon.” He shook his head. “Very few things in life take me by surprise, but I admit this was one of them.”

He cleared his throat and leaned forward. “I have news about the Ambassador and your investigation of which you must be made aware.”

Dante glanced at Lydia, who raised her eyebrows in question.

“First of all, I congratulate you both on a job well done. The Ambassador was quite cooperative in naming the source of his information.” He stopped and seemed to give himself time to consider his words.

“The woman in question was mistress to one of our Home Office high ranking officials.”

This was news to Dante since when he’d appeared before Sir Phillip the last time, he was given no information, but was merely asked to give a statement.

“That is how she got the information she passed to the Ambassador?” Lydia asked.

“Yes. She and the Ambassador were both confronted that night at the theater. As was the usual procedure, the Ambassador had diplomatic immunity from prosecution and could be detained, but not arrested.”

“I have a feeling there is more to the story. What is it you are not telling us, since this all seems to be normal protocol?”

Sir Phillip took a deep breath and stared at him. “The woman involved with the Ambassador was of course, arrested, as well as her contact at the Home Office. However, I received word the morning I sent the note that the Ambassador has not returned to Germany.”

Dante frowned. “Isn’t that the usual process when a high-ranking embassy official is involved in espionage?”

“Yes. But, at this time I am unable to get any information as to how and why he remains in England.”

Since Sir Phillip had a web of contacts that was certainly a surprise.

Sir Phillip paused for a moment, gathering his words. “I just learned yesterday that the woman in question was found dead in her cell in gaol.”

Dante and Lydia looked at each other. Dante reached for her hand. Sir Phillip continued. “Poisoned. No one is sure how she got the deadly drug. Then the man from the Home Office has also met with an unfortunate accident while under house arrest.”

“Dead?” Dante asked.

“Yes.” Sir Phillip stared at Dante. “That is why I called you both here today. I believe there is a possibility that you and your wife might be in danger.”