“I have heard, however,” Lord Templeton continued, “that two are returning. Viscount Fitzherbert has made arrangements to return from his Grand Tour and will be amongst the ton again within the week, whilst Lord Stevenson has already come back from the continent. His holdings there have taken him almost two years to inspect, but he has returned in time for the Season.”
Daisy’s heart beat all the more quickly as she looked into Lord Templeton’s eyes. “You think I can help discover if either of them have been involved with spying or the like?”
Lord Templeton nodded firmly, his eyes fixing themselves onto hers. “If one of them is the spy and the one responsible for your father’s death, then they will be on their guard. No doubt they will be very careful about those they befriend, which is why I fear that the gentlemen within the League will not make particular progress.” He tipped his head to the left, looking at her steadily. “But you, however…” Trailing off, he left the rest of the words unspoken, making her realize precisely what he wanted. Her breath hitched as she realized what Lord Templeton wanted from her, making her heart pound in her chest.
“You wish me to return to society,” she said slowly, each word like a death knell in her mind. “You want me to pretend that all is well, that I have put my sadness behind me and have, instead, decided to seek out a husband for myself.”
Lord Templeton chuckled. “You need not look so despondent. You will still be keeping to your intentions, Miss Williams, even though you will be doing nothing other than playing a part.”
Daisy considered this, feeling herself recoil from the idea of throwing herself back into society. She did not want to mix with the beau monde, knowing that they would whisper about her the very moment she set foot amongst them. Of course, there would be an uproar when it was learned that she was not dead and gone from this world, as they had first suspected, and surely that could not be a good thing?
“You will be playing a part only, Miss Williams,” Lord Templeton repeated gently, making her turn her head back towards him. “You will have nothing other than this goal in mind. Gentlemen and ladies of the ton will think your return to them is because you are determined to find a husband for yourself and the like, but you need not care about what they will think. Your intention will be to draw near to Lord Fitzherbert and Lord Stevenson. They are both eligible bachelors, I believe, and so they will think your attentions to be entirely innocuous.”
It was a good plan, Daisy knew, but still, she felt herself rebel against it. Out of her tumbling thoughts came the sudden vision of Lord Watt, making her shudder violently. If Lord Watt was back in London, as her sister had said, then what would he make of her seeking out these two gentlemen?
It does not matter what he thinks, she told herself sternly. He is your past, that is all. You have a role to play and play it you must, if you wish to find any truths out about your father.
“And if neither have any link to what happened to my father?” she asked, turning her gaze back towards Lord Templeton, who was watching her closely. “What then?”
Lord Templeton gave her a small, half-shrug. “Then there is nothing else for you to concern yourself with, Miss Williams. Those two gentlemen will be freed from our suspicions, and we will know to look to the return of the other two who are, as yet, still in America. Unless, of course, I receive word from the men that were sent there in search of them.”
Again, Daisy nodded slowly, feeling a small sense of satisfaction creep over her soul. This was what she had wanted, was it not? She had longed to be given some role to play, something important to do – and now, this was it. Lord Templeton was offering her that and she could not turn away from it.
“Very well,” she said softly, as Lord Templeton clapped his hands together loudly. “I will do as you ask.”
“Excellent,” Lord Templeton cried, his delight at her acceptance making Daisy smile despite her own flickering misgivings. “You will do very well indeed, Miss Williams.”
She hesitated, then spoke plainly. “I confess I do not know precisely what it is I am expected to do.”
“That will come,” he said, still smiling broadly. “You and I shall meet regularly to discuss what you have managed to achieve, although I may still bring in another gentleman from the League who might be able to help also.” Another small shrug lifted his shoulders. “Once you have established a good rapport with each gentleman, I will help you in what you have to ask them and what you have to discover as regards your task.”
“And will they not suspect me?” Daisy asked, a sudden fear clutching at her heart. “I am Lord Harrogate’s daughter after all.” She eyed Lord Templeton carefully, suddenly feeling as though she were willingly setting foot into what could be a very dangerous situation.
Much to her surprise, however, Lord Templeton let out a lo
ud chuckle. “No, indeed, Miss Williams, they will not suspect you.” His eyes lit up with evident delight. “That is what is so very wonderful about my plans. Even if one of those two men did take the life of your father, the very last thing they would think is that a young lady is involved in trying to discover the truth.” Spreading his hands and allowing a slightly apologetic look to cross his face, he gave her a quick smile. “That is not to say that you have not the same grit and determination as any gentleman, Miss Williams, but rather than such a thing is not at all expected.”
“I see,” Daisy murmured, reaching to pour herself a little more tea so that she might steady herself somewhat. “I am not insulted to hear you say so, Lord Templeton. Indeed, I quite understand it.” Lifting the cup to her lips, she took a long sip, seeing him watching her closely. “You say that you wish me to speak to another gentlemen in the League also?”
Lord Templeton hesitated, then shook his head. “Not for the present moment, no,” he said, slowly as though he had not quite resolved the idea in his own mind. “Unfortunately, I cannot predict what the reaction of the gentlemen in the League would be, to know that I have permitted a young lady to involve herself in this. No, for the present, we will keep this between ourselves. Although that may well change, depending on what occurs.”
Daisy nodded and took another sip of her tea. She was not shaken by all that had occurred but was rather overcome by the surprise of it. Having expected Lord Templeton to refuse her entirely, she was still shocked to realize that not only was he about to involve her, he expected her to be quite successful. Perhaps more successful than even the gentlemen of the League! A sense of satisfaction climbed into her heart. She had managed to take the first step into what she had long been hoping for, and finally, Lord Templeton was willing to involve her. Yes, she would have to return to society, and yes, she would have to pretend that she had set the past behind her and was willing now to do all she could to find herself a suitable match, but that was a small price to pay when it came to finding out the truth about her father’s death.
“Very well, Lord Templeton,” she said, setting down her cup carefully on the saucer. “I will return home at once and ensure that I am fully prepared for my return to society.” She gave him a wry smile. “My sister will be quite overcome, I assure you.”
He chuckled, then rose to his feet as she got out of her chair. “I am very glad to welcome you into the League, Miss Williams,” he said, as she curtsied. “Although you may be in a very inconspicuous role, I assure you that your actions will be just as important as any other undertaken in this matter.” Holding her gaze for a moment, he let out a long breath before giving her a small smile. “And let us hope that it will be successful.”
“Indeed,” Daisy answered, her heart still beating a little quicker than usual. “I will do all I can, Lord Templeton. You know very well that all I want is to find those who took the life of my father so that they might be brought to justice.”
“As do I,” he stated, before Daisy curtsied again and took her leave, feeling a good deal more hopeful than she had since her father’s death.
Chapter Four
“You do not look at all cheerful.”
Matthew resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Lord Fraser, a baron from Scotland, eyed him speculatively.
“I am not cheerful,” he stated blandly. “I do not want to go to Lord and Lady Humphries’ ball, but yet I must do so in order to circulate amongst the ton.”