Slightly Shady by Amanda Quick

acquaintance, Priscilla Wortham. Lady Wortham invited her to tea this afternoon. She was so kind as to send her own carriage for Emeline." Lavinia hoped she did not sound as if she was boasting. She knew very well that an invitation from Lady Wortham would mean little to a person who moved in Joan Dove's wealthy circles. But the invitation to tea had been a social coup for Emeline as far, as she was concerned. "I see." Joan did not take her eyes off the door. An all-too-familiar masculine voice rumbled in the hall. "Never mind, I'll see myself in, Mrs. Chilton." "Bloody hell," Lavinia muttered. "His timing is, as always, extremely annoying." Joan glanced quickly at her. "Who is this?" The parlor door opened. Tobias walked into the room. He came to a halt at the sight of Joan Dove and made her a surprisingly graceful bow. "Ladies." He straightened and raised one dark brow in Lavinia's direction. "I see you have made some progress in my absence, Mrs. Lake. Excellent." "Who is this gentleman?" Joan asked again, very sharply this time. Lavinia gave Tobias her most repressive glare. "Allow me to introduce my associate, Mrs. Dove." "You made no mention of an associate." "I was just getting around to it," Lavinia said soothingly "This is Mr. Tobias March. He is assisting me in my inquiries." "In point of fact," Tobias said with a meaningful look at Lavinia, "Mrs. Lake is assisting me." Joan searched his face and switched her gaze to Lavinia. "I do not understand." "It is really very simple." Lavinia deliberately turned her back on Tobias. "Mr. March and I are partners in this endeavor. It is actually something of a bargain for you. As my client, you will enjoy the services of both of us for no additional cost." "Two for the price of one," Tobias said helpfully. Lavinia managed what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "Mr. March has had some experience with this sort of thing. I assure you he is extremely discreet." "I see." Joan hesitated. She did not look entirely satisfied, but she was clearly a woman who lacked choices. "Very well." Lavinia turned back to Tobias and thrust the waxwork into his hand. "Mrs. Dove came here today because a short while ago she received this. She believes it to be a threat on her life, and I agree. The gown the figure is wearing is one of Mrs. Dove's and, as you can see, the hair is the same color as her own." Tobias examined the picture for a long while. "Odd. One would expect a blackmailer to threaten to expose an old secret, not to send a death threat. Hardly logical to murder the source of one's income." There was a short, charged silence. Lavinia traded glances with Joan. "Mr. March has a point," Lavinia muttered ungraciously. "Yes, he does," Joan said with a thoughtful expression. Lavinia noticed that her new client was studying Tobias with considerably more interest than she had exhibited a moment ago. Tobias lowered the picture. "On the other hand, we must bear in mind that we are dealing with a new villain now, one who has already committed murder. This cutthroat may feel that a threat of death is a more effective method of inducing his victims to pay" Joan nodded in agreement.
    It was time to regain control of this affair, Lavinia thought. Tobias was showing every sign of assuming command. She looked at Joan. "I must ask you a very personal question, Mrs. Dove." "You wish to know what Holton Felix found in the diary that made him think I would pay him for his silence." "It would be helpful to know the specifics of his threat, yes." Joan cast another assessing glance at Tobias. Then she contemplated Lavinia for a moment. "I shall be as brief as possible," she said finally "I found myself alone in the world at the age of eighteen and was obliged to pursue a career as a governess. When I was nineteen, I made the mistake of giving my heart to a man, a frequent visitor in the household where I was employed. I believed myself to be in love and assumed my sentiments were returned in full. I fear I was