His mind was abuzz even as his body cried out for rest.

Five thousand pounds.

Someone tried to kill me.

No more patronage.

If Cadogan hadn’t come when he did, I would be dead.

I am free to speak to my mother if she so desires, but she cannot tell me what I want to know.

How am I going to find the killer?

The kiss …

Sleep closed in, and his body relaxed.

Until a knock sounded at the door.

He jolted, jarring his aching muscles. With a groan he pushed himself up and tottered through to the sitting room.

Duke Heinrich von Lowe stood on the sill. His smile faded as he took in Daniel’s bruised face.

“Vat has happened to you?” His accent thickened as his brows came down.

“It’s nothing. A bit of an argument with a piece of equipment. I’m quite fine.” He opened the door wider. “Do come in.”

The duke had never visited Daniel’s lodgings before. He put his hands behind his back, surveying the room. A pair of black leather chairs flanked a fireplace, and a thick rug covered the floor. Heavy drapes bracketed a pair of tall windows, and the woodwork gleamed with beeswax and polishing. Daniel’s small library of treasured books graced one bookshelf, with an inlaid tea table close to hand.

“Very nice. Have you lived here long?”

“Three years. I moved in after I finished university. It is a few minutes’ walk to work.” He beckoned the duke to sit.

“Danke, no. I only wanted to come tell you that I have been called back to my homeland and will be leaving at the end of this month. You have been a good friend to me, and I am thankful. This is my first diplomatic mission for my country, and I was warned again and again that I must not trust anyone. Everyone would have their own … agenda? Is that the word? And they would conceal it from me if they could. I was to watch and observe and gather information while my superiors performed the actual negotiations.”

Not unlike the work Daniel had undertaken for Haverly, watching and gathering information. “Tiring work, I imagine, suspecting that everyone is hiding things from you for their own reasons.”

“Yes. Much like being a detective, do you not think? But I never felt that with you. You have been open and honest with me, and I wish to be the same with you.” He went to stand before one window, looking out on the street below. “I have wondered for some time whether you had feelings for Lady Juliette. I know you are from far different classes and that a future between you is not possible, but that does not stop the heart from wanting to bridge that gap.”