The Gentleman and the Spy by Neil S. Plakcy

Author:Neil S. Plakcy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay, mm romance, adventure, spy, victorian, England, Britain, British, Country house, Shooting party, espionage, class difference
Publisher: Samwise Books
Published: 2021-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

21: A Good Soldier

Magnus climbed the stairs to his room, where he met Toby. They sat in armchairs turned sideways to each other to share their impressions of the morning. “It is a motley crowd,” Magnus said. “Lady Finchwood was visibly unhappy to have men in trade in her home. She barely welcomed the Grangers when they arrived.”

Toby shrugged. “They are a necessary evil. It’s clear that the Finchwoods are in financial trouble.” He shared the staff changes with Magnus, who responded with the estate manager’s desire to lease out farmland and put the horse paddock in the front.

“This makes the Duke of Finchwood vulnerable to a financial approach. My brother is in a similar situation—the family estate is not providing enough income, and he seeks to diversify into the railroad business. Finchwood could be tempted to sway the transaction the Foreign Office is aware of to the partner who would benefit him the most.”

Toby nodded and told him what Atkinson the footman had said. “But if this is to be a business party, then what is the role of Weatherly and Chatham here?”

“Chatham has recently arrived from America, and Weatherly from the Netherlands,” Magnus said. “Perhaps they represent business interests there? Could they be investors, or potential investors, in this railroad scheme?”

“You must sound them out over the next few days. See if you can discover anything about their finances, their interest in railways, or their business relationships with each other.”

Magnus sat back in his chair. “This afternoon’s walk should provide an opportunity to speak with at least one of them out of hearing of the others, especially if we spread out. I might attach myself to the slowest of the men.”

After a moment, he continued, “I am most intrigued by Weatherly. He is quite uncomfortable when called by his title and confused by the rank of a viscount compared to a lord. He might be easily swayed by someone he considers his better.”

“He was not raised to his title, remember,” Toby said. “But only ascended to it upon the death of his uncle, and after having been born and raised in the Netherlands. You might take it on your account to mentor him, as I have done with Hopkinson’s valet Crichton.”

“Yes, that is a good move,” Magnus said.

“I am still uncertain why Sir Edwin wanted to insert someone below stairs. He must believe that there is something to explore. I will do my best to befriend as many of them as I can.”

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