repair his fortunes. Fortunately for all concerned, Lord Pennington discovered the truth in time to protect his daughter from the attentions of a scoundrel.”
“Good heavens.” Beatrice stared at him in growing wonder. “I assume that gossip is your doing, sir?”
This time Joshua did not answer. He simply watched her. She was certain she detected a little heat in his eyes.
“Yes, of course, you are responsible for planting those rumors,” she said crisply. “I must say, I am very impressed.”
His brows rose. “Are you, indeed?”
“It is a brilliant solution to the problem. Euston will no longer be able to go about in Society and Daphne Pennington’s reputation is unharmed. Her father will get the credit for exposing Euston. As I said, brilliant.”
“Thank you,” he said drily. “It also has the advantage of being the truth.”
“Indeed. Well, then, on behalf of my client, I thank you for your services last night.”
Joshua inclined his head a polite fraction of an inch. “You are entirely welcome.”
The cat-and-mouse image floated through Beatrice’s head again. I am no mouse, Mr. Gage.
Tea things clinked and rattled in the hall. Mrs. Rambley was approaching the parlor. There was no help for it, Beatrice thought. She would have to invite Joshua to stay for tea.
“You will have tea, I assume,” she said, somewhat ungraciously. “I believe my housekeeper is bringing in a tray.”
His mouth kicked up at the corner in a genuine smile of amusement. “Thank you. I could use a strong cup of tea. Actually, I could use a cup of strong coffee. As you said, it was a long night.”
“Yes, it was, wasn’t it?” Beatrice said. “Oddly enough I was enjoying coffee when you arrived. I’ll ask Mrs. Rambley to bring in the pot. There is plenty left, I’m sure.”
“There is no need to remind me again that I interrupted your breakfast, Miss Lockwood. I am well aware that I am imposing on you.”
Mrs. Rambley appeared, her cheeks flushed with exertion, a heavy tray laden with the household’s best pot, cups and silver in her hands. She set the tray on the low table in front of the sofa.
“Shall I pour, ma’am?” she asked.
“It seems Mr. Gage would prefer coffee,” Beatrice said. “Would you mind bringing in the breakfast pot?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Rambley shot a quick, curious look at Joshua and went out into the hall.
A heavy silence settled on the parlor. When it became clear that Joshua was not going to break it, Beatrice decided she would not speak, either. Two could play this game.
Mrs. Rambley reappeared and made room for the coffeepot on the tray.
“Thank you, Mrs. Rambley,” Joshua said.
“You’re welcome, sir.” Mrs. Rambley reddened and looked expectantly at Beatrice.
“That will be all, thank you,” Beatrice said.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The housekeeper left. Joshua listened to her footsteps in the hall for a moment. Then he pushed himself to his feet and made his way across the room, cane thudding heavily on the carpet. He closed the door, came back to the chair and sat down again.
Beatrice watched him, her wariness increasing by the second. It was obvious that he did not wish the housekeeper to overhear what he was about to say.
She poured coffee into both cups and handed one cup and saucer to Joshua. When his fingers touched the china she got another whispery tingle of sensation. She released the saucer so quickly it was a miracle that the coffee did not spill. But Joshua seemed unaware of the near-disaster.
“Who taught you how to use a stocking gun, Miss Lockwood?” he asked.
“A former employer,” she said.
“Would that former employer by any chance be the late Dr. Roland Fleming, proprietor of the Academy of the Occult?”
For one frozen moment she could not breathe. It was as if the room had suddenly tilted, throwing her off-balance. Her own cup of coffee trembled in her hand. Her pulse beat frantically and she knew a panic unlike any she had experienced since the night she fled the scene of Fleming’s murder.
She called on all of her acting skills to collect herself.
“I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr. Gage.” She summoned up her stage smile. “Or should I address you as the Messenger?”
“I see you talked to Mrs. Flint and Mrs. Marsh.”
“I roused them from their beds early this morning. They were, I must say, quite shocked by the sight of that card you gave me. Evidently you and your own former employer, Mr. Smith, left a memorable impression on them.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“I believe it has