Therese watched her brother frown in thought, then he started to shake his head and stopped.
His eyes narrowed. “No acquaintances, but there were three Germans I’d met at the exhibition. We exchanged nods, so I know they saw and recognized me. And I also know they’re trying to buy up a Dutch invention I’ve been invited to invest in.”
Devlin smiled like a predator sighting prey. “And if you buy in, the Germans won’t be able to acquire the invention?”
Martin nodded. “I believe that’s the case.”
“Are you due to do something today regarding that investment?” Devlin asked.
Martin wasn’t slow; he met Devlin’s gaze. “I’m due to sign the deal later today. You think the Germans paid Biggs to keep me at the hell until after the meeting?”
Devlin’s smile was all edges. “I’d wager a considerable sum on that. If you miss the meeting, simply fail to turn up, what will happen?”
Martin shifted. “The Dutch inventor is…not quite desperate, but he needs the deal completed. If I don’t sign on, he will almost certainly have to turn to the Germans, which he doesn’t want to do.”
Therese caught Child’s eye. “That was why Biggs was so nervous. Did you notice?” She glanced at Martin. “As soon as Child and I appeared, he started to react—”
“As if a plan of his was unraveling before his eyes.” Child met Martin’s gaze. “Devlin’s right. The Germans will have paid Biggs handsomely to fabricate some situation that would allow him to keep you secreted away until after this meeting of yours.”
Brows arching, Devlin mused, “Biggs must have been in two minds over delivering your note.”
Martin softly snorted. “Your title made him—and even more, his men—nervous, but Biggs relaxed when I asked for it to be delivered to your house—enough to make me wonder if I should have sent it somewhere else.”
Devlin pointed out, “They would have assumed I would spend my day out and about town and wouldn’t return home and receive the note until early evening, well after your meeting.” And that would almost certainly have been the case if I wasn’t actively pursuing my wife.
Martin nodded. “They mentioned something along those lines—that I should resign myself to having to sit tight for the day. That’s why I wrote ‘urgent’ on the front of the note.”
Devlin glanced at Therese and smiled. “Just as well you did.” That “urgent” on the note in her brother’s writing was what had pushed her to open the letter and react as she had. Given his own protectiveness, he could hardly throw stones and complain. His smile deepened. “Although I’m sure Biggs never expected your note to bring who it did.” He met Therese’s eyes. “I’m sure you made him regret his part in the scheme.”
She smiled back and looped her arm in his. “Not as much as you did. I got the impression he was glad to see our backs.”
Child chuckled. “True, but I rather liked your touch with the curtains, and the mention of ransom was inspired.”
Martin grinned. “Not to mention the point about how, if you weren’t Lady Alverton, you got hold of my note. And then he was forced to suggest you were a maid! I thought you were going to verbally skewer him.”
“Ah.” Devlin saw the light. “That was what Biggs had suggested that had you so incensed when I walked in.”
“Indeed.” Therese mock glowered. “I hope the Germans return and demand their money back. It would serve Biggs right.”
“At least the way things are, I’ll make my meeting this afternoon, and the Germans will be out of their money with nothing to show for it—they, after all, were the ones behind the scheme.” Martin smiled at Therese, Devlin, and Child. “Thank you—all of you—for coming to my rescue.”
Therese reached out and patted Child’s arm. “Indeed. Thank you for coming with me. I appreciated the support and will look forward to repaying you appropriately at the next social event we both attend.”
Child looked faintly alarmed. “No, no—no need to exercise your talents on my behalf.” More candidly, he added, “In fact, as a reward, I’d rather you didn’t.”
The admission made the others laugh.
On that note, they parted, with Child—who wanted to know what Martin had been doing in America over the years he himself had been there—inviting Martin to lunch with him. With nods to the others, the pair ambled off, and Devlin waved Morton back and opened the carriage door and handed Therese in.
He followed and sat beside her.
Therese settled against the fine leather with a satisfied sigh. She waited until the carriage was rolling freely along Pall Mall to turn her head and look at her husband. “Thank you for coming to our rescue. Neither I, Child, nor Martin knew enough to work out what was really going on.” She waved one hand. “Who knows what Biggs might ultimately have done? He did have those three ex-pugilists to help him.”
Devlin caught her hand, drew it to his lips, and brushed a light but lingering kiss on the backs of her gloved fingers. “I seriously doubt Biggs would have risked harming you, Child, or even Martin. No matter what he said, he knew all three of you were who you said you were, and I suspect that, ultimately, you would have had his measure. Regardless, regarding my contribution, all three of you are entirely welcome.” He smiled. “Indeed, I haven’t enjoyed an adventure like that in a very long time.”
She chuckled and relaxed against the squabs. As the carriage rolled on, Devlin continued to hold her hand as if he’d forgotten he’d grasped it. She made no move to take it back.
Reviewing the morning’s events, she realized he must have returned shortly after she and Child had quit the house, and he couldn’t have wasted so much as a minute in following them. She considered that and inwardly admitted it was comforting to know that she, her need, had commanded his immediate attention and compelled equally immediate action.
After a moment, she murmured, “It was lucky your business meeting ended early.” She glanced at him. “I assume it did. Did it go well?”
He smiled. “Very well.” He met her eyes and gently squeezed her hand; clearly, he hadn’t forgotten he still held it. “Thus far, today has been one of minor triumphs.”
She widened her eyes encouragingly and was gratified when, his smile deepening, he explained about the contract he’d signed that morning. Informed by what she’d recently learned through listening to discussions in various drawing rooms, she was able to ask questions that drew more details from him—details he seemed happy to share with her.
By the time the carriage turned in to the Alverton House drive, she understood enough to genuinely applaud his success of the morning. In return, with a graceful dip of his head, he paid tribute to her contribution by way of having fostered a critical discussion at Lady Wicklow’s picnic.
In excellent spirits, they descended from the carriage and entered the house, to be greeted with some relief by Portland.
While endeavoring to conceal his pleasure over seeing them both safe and well behind his customary imperturbable mask, Portland lifted Therese’s pelisse from her shoulders. “Nanny Sprockett mentioned that she would appreciate a quick word when you came in, my lady.”