MacKay hesitated before opening the door. “Good Samaritans with the kind of coin needed to send a body from Oxford to London don’t generally dwell in the neighborhoods where drunken college boys are cheated of their quarterly funds.”

“Though a professional swindler would have ample connections in such a location, if not temporary lodgings. Harry Merridew is alive and well, though he’s grown so short of coin that he’s willing to rise from the dead. Fortunately, I have coin to spare.”

“And if he wants something other than coin?”

“You mean if he wants to resume his status as Matilda’s husband?” Tremont pulled on his gloves. “Then I am prepared to use every privilege and advantage I have—and they are legion—to thwart him. Good day, MacKay.”

Tremont welcomed the chilly wind on his face and welcomed the distance to march. Both would aid him to focus on strategies most likely to achieve victory in the looming conflict with Merridew.

Though defeat was always a possibility.

English law took marriage seriously. From all accounts, Matilda’s wedding had been a proper affair, with her father present and offering no objection. If Harry Merridew chose to be difficult, then the coming battle was likely to end in all-out war.

Chapter Thirteen

“You are early,” Matilda said as Tremont offered her his arm, “and you brought your fancy coach.” The vehicle, crests hidden, four matching bays in harness, sat at the bottom of the steps, looking sober and splendid, much like its owner.

Tremont handed her up and climbed in after her. “I thought we’d fortify ourselves with a noon meal at the tea shop before we meet with your prospective buyer.”

Clearly, Tremont had been thinking of much more than that. He was again the punctiliously mannered, slightly distracted gentleman whom she’d met in St. Mildred’s parish hall. He took the place beside Matilda on the forward-facing bench, though he did not reach for her hand.

“I’m nervous, Marcus. I thank you for the invitation, but might we take the extra hour at your house instead?”

He rapped on the roof with the head of his walking stick, and the coach rolled smoothly forward.

“You want to swill tea in my parlor and debate tactics? This is merely a reconnaissance mission, my dear. We go to listen and collect information. Any documents you sign will be genuine enough, so exercise extreme caution if you’re inclined to wield a pen during this meeting.”

“I won’t sign anything. I will invoke a lady’s right to dither and demand time to consider the offer and discuss it with you privately. I wish you’d let me go alone.”