worked. Solomon decided that next week, he’d ask for a few shifts behind the counter.
That night in Serena’s office, Elijah told them that Elbourn and Sir Nigel had both been arrested. Like lambs to the slaughter, Solomon thought rather triumphantly. But Serena and Elijah both looked so bleak he held his tongue. He had thought they would be pleased at their success—but of course in the end it wouldn’t make any difference. Things were moving so fast. The Pursleighs’ masquerade was tomorrow, and the Brendan breakfast the morning after, and then there’d be no one between Sacreval and the gallows.
“Did you discover anything useful at Sir Nigel’s house?” Serena asked.
“Nothing as useful as what my colleagues discovered when they interviewed the servants. Apparently the information was hidden in the pack of cards Sacreval and Sir Nigel played with. A parlormaid said she’d seen him marking a deck, very carefully and thoroughly. Since Sacreval hasn’t been able to hold menu consultations with Brendan and Pursleigh as he used to, he may be using something similar with them.”
There was silence for a moment.
“When we’ve got them all,” Elijah said, “that will leave only Sacreval.” He looked at Serena. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk to any of my superiors about your marriage problem?”
Serena laughed bitterly. “I don’t think any of your superiors will be particularly eager to help me.”
“The regent is head of the Church of England, you know. I’m sure he has the influence to see the marriage annulled.”
“I’m sure he does. I’m also sure he’ll think the situation is a very great joke. I would prefer your superiors didn’t know the problem even exists until it is absolutely necessary.”
“You’re hoping it won’t become necessary, aren’t you?”
“Aren’t you?” Serena said sharply.
Elijah met Serena’s eyes with perfect understanding for an instant, then looked away. “I will do my best to see the enemies of England brought to justice.”
Solomon hoped for both their sakes that the marquis showed a little sense and fled the country. Maybe Solomon could suggest it if he proved reluctant. It certainly appeared the only way to make himself useful at present. Serena and Elijah did all the talking and planning, with their underworld experience and their cool demeanors and their dratted unspoken bond.
“Oh, and Elijah?” Serena said.
“Yes?”
“Do you have the schedule of payments René gave his contacts? I want to confirm that Brendan’s our man and this isn’t some ruse by his wife.”
“I think Varney at the Foreign Office might have that, but how will you get hold of Brendan’s financial information?”
Serena smiled enigmatically. “Leave that to me.” She could be so theatrical sometimes. Solomon hid a grin.
A knock came at the door. “Yes?” Serena called.
“It is I, sirène.”
The three looked at each other in momentary confusion. “Come,” Serena called.
Sacreval entered but stopped short at the sight of the three of them sitting there.
“We were just discussing the final bill for Serena’s order from Hathaway’s Fine Tailoring,” Solomon explained, “but if you need to speak to her, we can leave.”
The marquis relaxed. “No, no, don’t get up on my account. My request is this. Sirène, I am becoming extremely ennuyé merely lounging about waiting for you to make up your mind. I would like to make myself useful. Perhaps I might help you with the catering again.”
Solomon tried to look uninterested.
Serena frowned. “You aren’t part of this business anymore, René. I daresay you can wait another week to return to the delights of catering.”
“Really, sirène, I would consider it a personal favor.”
She stared at him. “Your gall is beyond anything, do you know that?” The marquis opened his mouth to respond, but she sighed and waved a hand wearily. “I suppose if you wish to work for free, I will hardly stop you. I just got a new order from Lady Brendan. I’ll give you the details first thing tomorrow morning.”
The marquis smiled in relief. “Thank you, sirène. I will be here to receive them.”
When he was gone, the three conspirators looked at one another in silence.
“Like a lamb to the slaughter,” Solomon said at last, and the other two flinched.
“Lady Serena and Uncle Hathaway,” Elijah said over supper that evening. “I would have liked to see that. Who won?”
“It was a draw,” Solomon said. “But he almost made her cry. He as good as said she was amusing herself among the lower orders and that I’d probably off myself when she jilted me.”
“Cry? Lady Serena?”
“Well, it wasn’t her best day.”
“And—off yourself?” Elijah shook his head.