“I had a word with a possible suspect in Wattleford Hill, a competitor of Montgomery’s in the milling trade, and now I’m chasing his alibis. The man’s wife is here today. In fact, she’s a member of your niece’s archery club, and she’s suspected of having an affair with Montgomery, which fueled her husband’s ire enough for him to challenge Montgomery to a duel of honor. I asked Lady Juliette to see what she can find out. See if there is any truth to the rumor that Mrs. Carlyle was being unfaithful to Mr. Carlyle and if that resulted in Carlyle murdering Montgomery. Carlyle swears he challenged him to a duel but that he wouldn’t kill him dishonorably, and that he waited for Montgomery on the dueling ground, finally giving up and returning to his mill, thinking Montgomery lost his courage.”

Sir Bertrand glanced sideways at Daniel. “So he’d shoot him on the park green, but he wouldn’t kill the man in his office during an argument.” He frowned. “I cannot say I am enamored of the idea of involving Juliette in your police investigation. I know she is eager and, in fact, has butted in already, but have a care. If she is to be a successful agent, she must keep up an appearance of absolute normality. A socialite with no more thought than what to wear and whom to accompany to the symphony. I have forbidden her to investigate this case. I do not wish her to draw undue attention to herself in any way.”

Like being crashed into by a clumsy oaf who had the audacity to embrace her in public? Daniel shrugged and looked away. “I merely asked her to make a few discreet inquiries. I shouldn’t think it would draw suspicion to gossip a bit with her teammates. Don’t all women love a good natter anyway?”

“They do, but it would be a foolish man who said such things in their hearing.” Sir Bertrand dug under his cloak for his watch. “Juliette is too eager to jump headlong into espionage. I often feel like a hen with a duckling, constantly trying to keep her out of the deep end of the pool. I wish her parents would remain on British soil long enough to take over her training, but there you are. When our superiors beckon, we must go.”

“Lady Juliette is making good progress, is she not? And eagerness is a good thing?”

“Eagerness is good, but foolhardiness is not. I regret having to involve her so heavily in the mission last month. It’s given her an appetite for the job that exceeds her capabilities.”