As fast as it had started, it ended just as swiftly, both of them crying out as one and clutching at each other as they were rocked by the explosion.

Christiana then sagged back against the wall , taking Richard with her. He leaned his head against her shoulder for a moment and then gave a shaky laugh.

“What?” she murmured, raising one languid hand to brush the hair from his face in an effort to see his expression.

Richard raised his head and smiled at her wryly. “I was just thinking, whatever his faults, George had excellent taste when it came to choosing a wife,”

he admitted almost apologetically, and then cupped her face, pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, and whispered, “Thank you.”

Chapter Sixteen

That went well.”

Richard settled back in the carriage and merely nodded. They had just finished making arrangements for the funds to pay the blackmailer. He was hoping that wouldn’t be necessary, but was prepared if it was. Richard was glad to have the business out of the way. He’d spent the past hour constantly worrying that someone was going to stand up shouting, “Imposter!” He supposed that was foolish since he was the true Richard Fairgrave, Earl of Radnor. However, George had been impersonating him for over a year and it was he everyone was used to. Richard had been sure someone would notice something different about him, courtesy perhaps, or a less caustic attitude. He was actually surprised and even a little insulted that they hadn’t. He liked to think he was different enough from his brother that someone would have noticed something, and couldn’t help his slightly disgruntled tone as he commented, “No one seemed to notice anything amiss or different about me.”

Daniel smiled wryly and shrugged. “People see what they expect to. Besides, while you were thanking the clerk for your tea I commented to Lord Sherwood that I was glad to see you finally shaking off the strange mood that had claimed you this last year since your twin’s death,” Daniel admitted. “He said he’d heard you were finally coming around and had even attended a ball . So I wouldn’t worry too much. It appears everyone will just put down any oddity they notice to your finally getting over the grief that has supposedly plagued you this last year.”

“Well, that’s something anyway,” Richard said wryly, tugging at the sleeve of his pale green coat and grimacing. He detested the color, but it had been the best of the lot. “I really need to improve my wardrobe.”

“George always did have terrible taste in clothes,” Daniel said dryly, eyeing his outfit. “Why do we not stop at the tailor’s on the way back to the townhouse?”

Richard hesitated, his conscience making him feel that he should head right back to the townhouse and try to further their investigations. But he didn’t want Christiana to think he didn’t trust her to interview the staff, and he could hardly gain gossip on himself. There seemed little reason not to stop, so he nodded and ordered the driver to change direction.