The Butler Did It by Kasey Michaels

Author:Kasey Michaels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2004-03-13T16:00:00+00:00

“I WILL SAY AGAIN, Fanny, I see no reason for the two of us to drive out together tomorrow,” Sir Edgar said as he and his newly acquired Adventuress sat at their ease in the drawing room, having graduated from his lordship’s wine to warmed snifters of his lordship’s brandy.

“And I will say again, Edgar, that we have to establish which of my acquaintances would appear to be the easiest pigeons to pluck. You have already secured Mr. Hatcher, and I commend you for that, but you are thinking entirely too conservatively. One pigeon, when there is an entire flock of idiots out there?”

“It never pays to be too greedy, Fanny,” Edgar said, remembering how quickly he had expanded his thoughts to greater profits when gulling John Hatcher had proved so simple. “And, if you know these gentlemen so well, I cannot see why you would wish my opinion.”

“I don’t require it, not really,” Fanny said honestly as she stuck out her legs and rested her small feet on the low table between the couches. “But, as I do know these gentlemen, they’ll want to see proof, for one thing, and they won’t believe that I have discovered the alchemists’ formula for turning base metals into gold. Would you?”

Sir Edgar looked at her, sitting low on her spine and very much at her ease, her bony ankles exposed, and crossed one over the other, her snifter of brandy balancing on her concave belly. “I suppose not.”

“Good man, Edgar. I knew you’d see the sense of my argument. Now, show me again.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’ve already seen it three times, Fanny. It hasn’t changed.” But he reached into his pocket and extracted the small bag, then tossed it to her.

“Curious how heavy it is,” Fanny said, holding on to her snifter with one hand, and dumping the misshapen golden lump into her lap. “I know you swore it’s real gold, but I have to tell you, Edgar, if it weren’t, it would still convince me. Must be worth a good five hundred pounds or more. Where did you get it?”

“Let me just say that several of the ladies I befriended over the years were generous with presents. I melted a few of them down. In either form, watch fob, ring or lump of gold, I have not lost a bent penny.”

“Oh, you bugger, you,” Fanny said, then laughed, a faintly evil sounding cackle. “Edgar, my man, we’re going to have us some fun.”

“Fun I’ve had aplenty, Fanny,” he told her solemnly. “It’s money I’m looking for now.”

Fanny hefted the heavy nugget. “We’re all looking for something, Edgar. We’re all looking for something.”

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