missing lace back in its place of honor, but examining the other pieces to their satisfaction took a bit of time. Derrick watched as gloves were finally stripped off and final niceties engaged in.
“You’ll stay for supper, of course,” Lord Epworth said. “And I’ll have my housekeeper make up a pair of rooms for you. I have appointments this afternoon, but perhaps you can amuse yourself on the grounds until supper. Ah, Derrick, you’ve rejoined us.”
Derrick heaved himself to his feet, swayed slightly, then caught himself. “Forgive me, Your Lordship,” he said politely. “It has been a longish week.”
The earl offered Samantha his arm. “Let’s return to my office briefly and see to matters of business, then I’ll set you free for the afternoon.”
Derrick frowned thoughtfully as he followed them. Perhaps he was less functional than he thought or Lord Epworth more grateful than usual, because it was always Stevens who took care of the more pedestrian matters of payment. Besides, he usually billed his clients after the fact, not at the moment.
Eventually he sat down with Samantha across a desk from the earl, then realized Lord Epworth had no intentions of talking to him. He had the feeling he knew what was coming, so he simply sat back and watched, trying not to smile.
“Now, of course Derrick has his very reasonable fee,” Lord Epworth said, “which I have willingly paid several times in the past. You see, my dear, he has a very good eye for precious things.”
“Does he?” Samantha asked. “I haven’t known him very long, but he does seem to be very good at what he does.”
“He is. Now, there is, of course, the reward attached to the finding of the lace,” Lord Epworth said, “which is separate from the nominal fee charged by Cameron Antiquities, Ltd.”
Nominal was, of course, understating things badly, because their fees never had been and never would be cheap. Cameron always said that half the respect they earned came from the staggering sums they charged, and Derrick had never disagreed. Lord Epworth was perhaps being fair by paying him for having tracked down the lace, though in all honesty, it had been Samantha to keep it safe. The money should have likely gone straight to her. Then again, if the man was going to pay her a reward that he was obviously inventing on the spot, so be it. Derrick had no intentions of spoiling it for either of them.
Lord Epworth reached for a piece of paper, examined it carefully, signed it, then folded it and placed it in an envelope. He held that envelope out, waiting steadily until Samantha took it.
“What’s this?” she asked in surprise.
“Your reward, my dear. Of course I wasn’t sure if you would have had time to set up any sort of account here so if you’ll be so good as to provide me with your bank details, I’ll have my secretary see to the transfer of funds. This is just to let you know what will be wired within the hour.”
Samantha was looking at the man as if she had never heard of bank details before. “But—”
“I hope it will suit,” Lord Epworth said, looking quite pleased with himself. “Just a small token of my gratitude, of course.”
“Ah,” Samantha managed, “I would have to call my parents—”
“Why trouble them when we have Derrick sitting right there?” Lord Epworth looked at him. “Shall I time you?”
Derrick smiled. “My lord, your faith in my abilities is, as always, humbling.”
Lord Epworth laughed, sounding thoroughly delighted. “My boy, I’m afraid the extent of your abilities continues to unnerve me, but in this case I’m happy to see you use them for the benefit of this delightful girl sitting next to you. Samantha, whilst Derrick is about his work, perhaps you would care to join me at the window. I’ll point out the more notable features of the garden. Perhaps you would enjoy a stroll there this afternoon?”
Derrick smiled to himself as His Lordship checked his watch, then sent him a pointed glance. The game was afoot.
It took him ten minutes only because he kept being distracted by the lovely sight of one of his favorite gentlemen being so kind to a woman who was being just as kind in return. He borrowed a piece of paper, wrote down what Epworth’s secretary would need, then accepted compliments on his ability to do things with his phone Lord Epworth didn’t want details on.
“Now,” His Lordship said with a happy smile, “perhaps you