The Duke’s Best Friend by Jane Ashford

Author:Jane Ashford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks

* * *

Henry stayed on in the inn parlor after the others left. He waited while his uncle wrote in his ubiquitous notebook and then said, “You didn’t give Miss Meacham any part in the action.” She’d been furious. Henry knew it, though she hadn’t said so. He was convinced now that his uncle set out to make her furious. To put her in a bad light or drive her away? To quell his interest in her? It was underhanded, not what he expected from his august relative. And it had failed, on every level. She had not lost her temper. Henry had not brought up the omission before the others so that his uncle could goad her further.

“I didn’t see what she could usefully do,” his uncle replied. He showed no sign of regretting his behavior.

“But she has been the most useful of us all. She began this whole endeavor.”

“She is rash and impulsive, likely to expose us before we are ready.”

“I don’t think that’s fair, Uncle. She has been very careful.” She’d been rather amazing, Henry thought.

“Invading receptions uninvited? Making up tales for embassy servants? Loitering in the street? A young lady? I think you are too inclined in her favor.”

His expression might have been called avuncular, but Henry thought it a bit patronizing. He had looked forward to deepening his connection with his mother’s brother in his new position. It was not going as he’d expected. “Is that why you also gave me nothing to do? Because you believe my judgment is clouded?”

“Now, Henry, I never said anything of the kind. You need to concentrate on your work. It is important, especially at the beginning, to demonstrate diligence and keenness and compliance.”

“Not go haring off after rogue agents.” Or become fascinated with daring young ladies. That went without saying.

“Precisely.”

“That’s what you did?” Henry couldn’t quite see his uncle arranging appointments and copying reports day after day.

“I was sent abroad from the first. But those were different times.” He looked down at his notebook. “Now what do you think of this lad Tom? Is he trustworthy? His background is unfortunate.”

“I don’t know him well.”

“So you think we should be wary of him?”

“I don’t… He seems solid to me.” Henry felt uncomfortable being asked to be an informer.

His uncle gazed at him. “A diplomat provides evaluations of all the people he meets, you know. That is part of his job.”

The more Henry learned about his new post, the greater his doubts. “My sister and her friends would vouch for Tom. Also the Earl of Macklin.”

“Yes. There is that.” His uncle rubbed his chin. “I wish I might have a quiet word with the earl. But he is not in town.” He shrugged. “Well, I wouldn’t have chosen to confide in the lad. But then I might say the same about everyone in this group. Apart from you, of course. An actor, a prickly eccentric, some street urchins, and two…unconventional ladies.”

Henry had stiffened at bit more with each characterization. “I’m sorry you are disappointed, Uncle.

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