he becomes a problem, I will find a more permanent solution.”
“Very well, then.”
“Come, let’s not waste any more time. You are here because you have news for me. We have the library to ourselves.”
When his powerful hand wrapped around her arm she got the small, thrilling shock across all of her senses. She would always know his touch. No matter what the future held, she would remember these whispers of deep, stirring awareness for the rest of her life. I will never forget this man.
Joshua’s fingers tightened for an instant. She sensed that he, too, experienced some sensation when they were in direct physical contact. She wondered how he interpreted the flashes of connection. He would have some logical explanation, she thought, amused, possibly something involving static electricity.
He guided her along the gallery and through a doorway. She moved ahead of him into a room lit by moonlight. She inhaled the smell of leather-bound books and old, frequently polished furniture.
Joshua released her arm with, it seemed to her, reluctance. He closed and locked the door. When he turned back to face her she sensed the energy in the atmosphere. For the first time she realized that he was coldly furious.
“Did that bastard hurt you in any way?” he asked.
“No, really, I’m fine. It certainly is not the first time I’ve had to deal with a drunk, lecherous man. Encounters like tonight are one of the hazards of my work. That is why all of the Flint and Marsh agents now carry Mrs. Marsh’s new special smelling salts.”
“I don’t like the idea that you are forced to come into contact with men like Covington on a frequent basis.”
“Generally speaking, the Covingtons of this world can be avoided,” she assured him.
“That’s not the point.”
“What is the point?” she asked, going rather blank.
“You should not be placed in situations that require you to defend yourself.”
She raised her chin. “It’s how I make my living, Mr. Gage. And given what you used to do for a living, I do not think that you are in a position to criticize.”
“Damn it to hell.” He spoke with great depth of feeling. Then he exhaled heavily. “I will allow you that point. What the devil is in your vinaigrette bottle? It appeared to be quite effective.”
“Mrs. Marsh recently created the concoction in her laboratory. She gave each of the agents a vial filled with the stuff. I believe the formula is based on a distillation of some extraordinarily hot peppers.”
“I have long admired Mrs. Marsh’s talent as a chemist,” Joshua said.
“She was inspired to brew the pepper vinaigrette after another employee of the firm, a close friend of mine named Evangeline Ames, was very nearly murdered. Following the Crystal Gardens affair, Mrs. Flint and Mrs. Marsh concluded that all of their agents should carry some means of self-defense that was a bit more discreet than a gun.”
“Firearms have their uses but they frequently cause far more problems than they solve,” Joshua said. “And they are not what anyone would call discreet. The police tend to take notice when someone gets shot.”
“Discretion is the primary reason our clients come to us,” Beatrice said, not bothering to conceal her pride. “Flint and Marsh agents go into some of the wealthiest and most exclusive homes. Our goal is to be as inconspicuous as possible.”
“That is the goal of any good investigator,” Joshua said.
“Since we’re on the subject of self-defense, I would be very interested to learn that little trick that you used on Euston and Covington.”
“Please do not take this as an insult, but it is not a very useful technique for a lady. It requires considerable strength, not to mention a great deal of training and practice.”
“Oh, I see.”
“You need not sound so disappointed,” he said. He was amused. “You are very well armed as it is. Let us get on with the matter at hand. I assume you signaled me with the candle because you have had word from the blackmailer?”
“Yes.” Beatrice took the note out of her pocket and handed it to him. “When your sister and I went upstairs to retire for the evening we found this note. It was on Hannah’s pillow in an envelope that was addressed to her. A man’s handwriting, I’m sure of it.”
Joshua turned up a lamp and read the note aloud.
The great hall. Three o’clock, precisely. The doors will be unlocked. Send the paid companion with the money. If she is seen, no one will take any notice. You, however,