He knew she had met with the solicitor. He wondered how long she would remain in this modest home. Soon she could afford much better.

“Back finally, are you?” The older woman called Beth peered around a doorjamb, a white cap hanging in droopy waves around her face. She saw him and her eyebrows drew together beneath the festoons.

“I am. I told you not to wait up this late.”

“I was half asleep on the divan. I’ll go up now.” That frown aimed in his direction. “Unless you want me to stay.”

“There is no need. Mr. Radnor wants to compare ideas, not interrogate me.”

“If you say so.” Beth did not sound convinced.

“I will leave shortly, I promise.” He tried an innocent smile.

“Is Jeremy back yet?” Minerva asked.

Beth nodded. “Came at least an hour ago. Could be more. I was dozing, as I said.”

“I’ll speak with him tomorrow then. Good night, Beth.”

Beth carried her night candle to the stairs and began the climb.

“We can talk in here.” Minerva led the way into the library that Beth had just left. “There is sherry in that decanter if you want some.” She gestured to a table before falling onto the divan.

She did not wear an undressing gown like the last time, but her relaxed pose reminded him of the night she conked him on the head. He eyed the poker near the fireplace, much like the one she had almost used on Phillip. She probably did not need anyone following her home to make sure she was safe. It had been a nonsensical impulse on his part, a result of the anger at Phillip’s behavior that had never completely calmed all evening. Her vulnerability in going to and from that house had pressed on his mind as a result.

The expression on her face during that confrontation had not left his mind either. Terror. He had seen that look before, on the battlefield. The men who wore it almost never survived the day. It was not a reaction one would expect from a woman who hit intruders over the head with bed warmers.

“Thank you for alerting the housekeeper about your cousin,” she said. “Warnings were issued to all the women on the staff.”

“I did not single him out, but I reminded her that there were a lot of men in the house. Some of unknown backgrounds, others with too much entitlement. The housekeeper was shocked to learn I had seen a servant being importuned by someone. From her reaction one would think she never before had experiences with that. Perhaps while the last duke reigned, she didn’t.”