Glad to have something to do so she did not weep from disappointment, she marched down the stairs and hurried through the garden to the small carriage house in back. She knocked on its door. “Are you asleep?”

Jeremy opened the door. “Have you been crying?”

He was still dressed. She stood aside. “Hurry. Radnor just left and I want you to follow him. His horse was not outside, so it must be at the stable around the corner. You can go through the garden and mews and be there when he arrives if you are quick about it.”

Already he had pulled on his boots. “Follow him where?”

“I want to know where he lives. Take some coin and hire a horse from the stable if necessary.”

“Won’t need it. Unless he gallops I can keep up on foot. It will be more obvious if I follow on a horse. He’ll hear me for sure then, and there’s no shadows to hide in.” Still, he swept up the coins on the table from his pay before he ran into the night.

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Chase finished his meal just as his manservant Brigsby brought in the mail and paper. Brigsby insisted on doing it this way. A leisurely breakfast was a gentleman’s ritual, to his mind, and he refused to provide the reading material while Chase ate.

Chase flipped through the mail, then distracted himself with the paper. His mind did not really notice the words he read. All night his thoughts dwelled on those embraces at Minerva’s house. He still tried to make sense of what had happened.

He was no lothario, but he was not green. He liked to believe he understood the mood between them, and its potential. He had never importuned a woman, but he had never been refused either, because his instincts had proven to be excellent.

Except last night. Perhaps. Or not. That was the devil of the problem. He had kissed a woman who wanted to be kissed, he was sure. She had also allowed the warmth of those embraces. He had felt her rising passion. He had good cause to expect more, even if he did not expect everything.

Then, nothing. She was done. Most done. Thoroughly finished. He might have been tested and failed, her retreat had been so abrupt and complete.

He thought she looked sad or perhaps embarrassed when he took his leave, but that might have been the low light playing tricks. Or his mind finding excuses.

He set aside the paper, remembering that he had some business with The Times today in order to insert another set of advertisements. He pulled over the portfolio he had carried downstairs and opened it. He reviewed the notes he had added last night when he could not sleep.

Brigsby entered the chamber and cleared his throat.

“Sir.”

Chase turned a page. “Yes?”

“A caller, sir.”