An Inconvenient Arrangement (The Rose Room Rogues 3)

Lydia nodded. “Yes, but a cup of tea would be wonderful right now.”

Diana gestured with her head to the bell pull alongside the door and began to rise. “Ring for some. I could use a cup myself. I’m going to put the little one down for his nap.”

As Lydia moved to the door, Dante strode up to her. “I will be in the library with Hunt.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Remember, don’t leave the house.”

She nodded her consent and he kissed her on the forehead and left.

Lydia walked around the room, waiting for a footman to appear. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, trying to warm herself. A foolish endeavor since she was not cold from the air, but from the fear that someone might be out there waiting for the opportunity to kill her and Dante.

Dante strolled into the library to see Hunt bent over the desk shuffling papers around. “Don’t you employ a man to do that for you? Where is your secretary?”

Hunt looked up and smiled. He stretched and then leaned back in his oversized chair that had belonged to their father, and most likely the fathers before him for a few generations. “What did Sir Phillip want?”

Since all three brothers did occasional work for the Crown, they knew about each other’s assignments unless they were told to keep it to themselves as a top priority matter.

“The German Ambassador is still in London.”

Hunt frowned. “Why? I thought he would have been sent back to Germany by now.”

“I thought so, too. It’s been three weeks since he was detained at the theater.”

“I wonder how long these things take.” Hunt said.

Dante pulled out the chair in front of his brother’s desk and sat. “That’s not the worst of it.” He paused. “It seems that the two other people involved, the woman who was passing the secrets to the Ambassador and the man in the Home Office she was mistress to and getting the information from, have both turned up dead. Even though the woman was in gaol at the time and the man under house arrest in his own home.”

Hunt let out a long, low whistle. Then he sat up and stared at him. “What about you and Lydia? Are you in danger?”

Dante nodded. “Sir Phillip seems to think that’s a possibility. He warned us to be aware of the potential threat.”

“You will go to my estate in the country. I’ll send two footmen with you.”

Dante held up his hand. “No. We must get this solved. Sir Phillip’s hands are tied because he can’t reveal his involvement in all this. The Metropolitan Police have deemed them accidents.”

Hunt stood and paced. “This is unacceptable. Sir Phillip and his secrets got you and Lydia involved in this. He cannot just drop the ball and tell you to be careful. He should be the one investigating.”

“Not if he is to retain his covert operation.”

“Blast his covert operation!” Hunt pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger and took a deep breath. “All right. I don’t like it, but I understand. So what is your plan? Hire an investigator?”

Dante ran his fingers through his hair. “My first thought was Nick Smith.”

“Ah. The notorious Nick Smith. I thought he gave up all his underground activities when he sold his club?”

“He did. But he’s maintained his contacts. I still hear about him at times. His name is bandied about occasionally in the Rose Room.”

Hunt returned to his seat and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Do you want my carriage? I think it’s more comfortable than yours

for long distance travel.”

“Thank you, but no. We will be taking the train this afternoon. I want to get Lydia out of London as quickly as possible.”

Hunt nodded. “Good idea. What can I do to help?”

Dante stood. “My absence at the club has hurt Driscoll, and now I’ll be gone again. Hopefully only for a day or two. If you could give some assistance there, it would be a huge help.”

“Done.”

Hunt and Dante made their way from the library to the drawing room where tea was just being served. Although he was anxious to be on his way, it was a few hours until the train left, so he decided to curb his unease and let his wife enjoy her tea before they needed to pack.