“Well played, sir!” Kendra said as she and Hazel withdrew to the right-hand corner, where Hazel began asking questions about Denshire’s household, taking notes in a small notebook. When they were done, she closed the notebook and tucked it away. “This promises to be an interesting investigation, Miss Douglas. There is bound to be someone in the household who has some idea where your son was taken.”

“You’ll let me know as soon as you learn something?”

“Of course.” Hazel’s voice was gentle. “I’m sure your Christopher is being well treated because Denshire undoubtedly values having an heir, but a young boy needs his mother.”

“I certainly think so!” Kendra rose to her feet. “You be careful at Denshire House. I don’t want another woman to be injured.”

“Oh, I can take care of myself.” A short, sharp knife appeared in Hazel’s hand. Just as quickly she made it disappear. “A girl learns that early in the East End.”

Kendra wished she’d learned such skills, though if she had, perhaps she’d have killed Denshire, and she didn’t want murder on her soul. Lucas and Lady Kirkland had finished their discussion, and he was looking very pleased.

Kendra and Lucas and Simon took their leave. Outside, Lucas said, “Simon, I know you have work to do in the City, so you can take the carriage. Kendra and I will walk home since it’s turned into such a pleasant day.”

“That’s a good idea. Tell Suzanne I’ll be home before dinner.” He grinned at Lucas. “One of these days you’ll have to start attending these business meetings, too.”

“But you’re so much better at such things,” Lucas responded.

Simon responded with a roll of his eyes and climbed into the carriage. Kendra loved watching the brotherly interplay between the two cousins. She would have liked to have a brother or sister. She’d wanted to give Christopher one. The thought of her failure produced a surprising wrench of pain.

Burying it, she took Lucas’s arm and they began strolling back across Mayfair. “Are you in business with Simon?” she asked.

“Yes, though I’ve not been very active. Our mothers were sisters and their father was a very successful businessman. He left his property to his daughters and to us, his only grandchildren. Simon is very active in the management and he’s been dropping dire hints that I should be, too.”

“Will you join him?”

“As I said, Simon is better at it.” Lucas smiled wryly. “Being missing and presumed dead for years was a good way of avoiding work, but my conscience is prodding me to start paying more attention.”

“A conscience is useful but so often annoying,” she murmured.

“Very true.” He glanced down at her. “How do you feel about our progress?”