“He’s young, and like many of his class he has been both given more than is good for him and taught that he’s better than others because of it.” The knife disappeared into the waistband at the back of Sir Bertrand’s trousers.

Strange thoughts to hear coming from an aristocrat. “Do you think he’ll outgrow his mindset anytime soon?”

Sir Bertrand shrugged. “Some never do. Haverly and I have discussed the matter, especially as we look over possible recruits for the agency. He believes—and I tend to agree with him—that many of Britain’s upper-class young men have been shaped and improved by going to war. A tough dose of reality for a lot of naïve snobs. Bullets don’t care that your father is a peer. Coatsworth would have profited from some time in uniform.”

“I wouldn’t have minded serving, but it was a condition of my guardianship that I never enter the military.” It was a mandate that had puzzled him more than any other.

“All that will be winding up soon, won’t it?”

“Very soon. My birthday is the twentieth of this month. The guardianship ceases then.”

The day of his emancipation was a complete question mark in some ways. Would he be able to keep his job? Should he look for new, more affordable lodgings? Should he attempt contact with his mother? Would the identity of his guardian be revealed? Many questions and little hope for answers to the most pressing ones. The solicitors of Coles, Franks & Moody had never given the slightest bit of information or hinted that they even knew any of the answers he sought.

“At least if Sir Michael boots you out of Bow Street, you’ll have another job to fall back on.” Sir Bertrand straightened away from the tree as applause rang from the spectator area. “I’ll let you know when Haverly learns the date, time, and location of the rally. You’d best disappear now. It won’t do for us to be noticed together too often. And more than that, for you and Juliette to be seen in company. She has plans to attend Miss Montgomery this afternoon. Perhaps she will find out what is amiss with Coatsworth from Agatha.”

He sent Daniel a knowing look and gave a low wave before falling into a slack-jawed, glassy-eyed posture. In a flash, he was the drunken dilettante he wanted everyone to believe he was.

Daniel continued on his way east out of Hyde Park. He’d find a costermonger and purchase a quick lunch, then make his way to Eaton Square. If he timed his journey right, he would encounter Juliette while he was there.

Chapter 9