“As do I.” The duke waited as a footman brought in the tea. “But I only came to give you some advice, Tessa.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” He took the tea from her and sipped it slowly before continuing. “That man you were dancing with at Emma’s fete.”
“Mr. Raynerson?”
“Yes, do be mindful of his reputation, my dear.”
“So I was just warned by my sister.” Tessa’s fingers wrapped tightly around the teacup as frustration surged through her. She was tired of everyone’s advice regarding her choice of suitor. It wasn’t as if she planned to marry the man. “I do hope you have more information than Louisa had because she was terribly vague.”
The older man nodded. “I wanted to make certain you understood that he is quite the fortune hunter.”
“Louisa said just the same. Although, I should think I would be the last target of a fortune hunter since my husbands can’t seem to last more than two months before they expire.”
“Very true, although there are always certain elements who believe you might be worth the risk. Or that any such curse wouldn’t affect them.”
While she didn’t exactly trust Raynerson, she doubted he was after her fortune. There were plenty of women in the ton who had greater wealth than she had and were from better families. All three of her husbands had only wanted her beauty on their arm as they escorted her into the ballrooms. While Stanhope had loved her, the others had not. Raynerson had not beguiled her with words of love, which she wouldn’t believe anyway. He had seemed truthful in that all he wanted was a friend and perhaps something more, but never did he indicate marriage was on his mind.
“I suppose some men would attempt to entice me into marriage no matter the risk, but I doubt Mr. Raynerson is such a man,” she finally replied.
“I can see that I have not convinced you,” the duke said with a low laugh.
“Not yet,” she replied. “What more can you tell me about him?”
“You know about Miss Mary Lewiston?”
“Louisa informed me. Is that all anyone knows about the man?” She placed her teacup back on the silver tray. Being tossed over because of money was far from scandalous. “He can scarcely help his unfortunate circumstances.”
“That doesn’t mean you must accept his circumstances,” the duke reminded her.
“I suppose I don’t, but I also have no plans to marry again so it is of no consequence. Besides at least with Mr. Raynerson I have someone to converse with at parties.”
“Come now, my dear, I always speak with you.”
“Yes, but at balls your attention is in far greater demand than that of Mr. Raynerson.”
“I understand,” he replied, staring into his teacup.
She stifled a yawn. Normally, conversations with the duke energized her spirit, but not today. “Is there anything else I should know?”
The duke frowned. “I know his father gambled away most of his sons’ fortune. Bideford has just enough to get by with the estate and the money from his marriage, but Raynerson was not as lucky. Please have a care with him, my dear. I am not sure I would trust him.”
Could she trust Raynerson? She wanted to more than anything.
CHAPTER 7
“Where have you been, Raynerson?” Fairchild asked harshly before moving to his seat behind the battered desk.
“Attempting to drive through the atrocious streets of London.” Jack sat in the chair across from him. “Is there some issue that has arisen?”
Fairchild’s office was nondescript at best. The old oak desk had one leg propped up with a stack of papers to keep it from wobbling. The walls were barren save one large map of London and a second of England. The man himself was just as bland, with graying brown hair and a jacket that was at least ten years out of style, and when he rose, he barely came up to Jack’s chin.
“It has been four days since I gave you this assignment and you have not written one report with an update on what you have uncovered.” Fairchild flipped through a few papers on his desk. “Lord Stanhope wants answers.”
Jack laughed. “No, Lord Stanhope wants his father’s fortune.”
“Which he is entitled to if Lady Stanh