The River Knows by Amanda Quick Page B

shared a mutual passion for orchids. Having learned a great deal about Emma’s adventurous past, Louisa was fairly certain the pair shared another sort of passion, as well. Discreetly, of course.
    “Please show him in, Mrs. Galt,” Louisa said, maintaining her composure with an act of will. “And then we will need a fresh tray of tea, if you don’t mind.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Mrs. Galt disappeared back toward the front hall. Masculine footsteps echoed.
    Mrs. Galt reappeared in the doorway. “Mr. Stalbridge.”
    Something deep inside Louisa tightened at the sight of Anthony. Until now she had only seen him illuminated by the glittering lights of a ballroom or enveloped by the shadows of a darkened carriage. A part of her had wondered if the disturbing sensations she experienced in his presence would vanish in the light of day. But Anthony was as coolly elegant and just as excitingly dangerous in an expensively cut coat of dark gray wool and matching trousers as he was in his black-and-white evening attire. He wore a stylish striped four-in-hand tie, and his shirt featured the latest winged collar. His dark hair was brushed straight back from his high forehead. She liked the fact that he was clean shaven. Whiskers were currently quite fashionable for men, but she was not fond of the style.
    He inclined his head with masculine grace.
    “Ladies,” he said politely.
    Mrs. Galt vanished in the direction of the kitchen. There was a short silence. Anthony waited, looking amused.
    Louisa finally became aware of the fact that Emma was making a small, urgent motion with one hand. It dawned on her that she was just sitting there, staring at Anthony. Embarrassed, she pulled herself together to make the introductions.
    “Good morning, Mr. Stalbridge,” she said hastily. “Please come in. I believe you are acquainted with Lady Ashton?”
    “Of course.” Anthony came forward and bent over Emma’s hand. “A pleasure to see you again, madam.”
    “Mr. Stalbridge,” Emma said in her customary crisp manner. “Do sit down, sir.”
    “Thank you.”
    He crossed the small space to take the remaining armchair. He looked at Louisa, eyebrows slightly raised in silent inquiry.
    “It is quite all right, sir,” she said. “I have explained the unusual circumstances of our association to Emma. You may speak freely in front of her.”
    Anthony regarded Emma with grave interest.
    “You are involved in this business of proving that Hastings has a financial investment in a brothel?”
    Emma smiled. “No. It is Louisa’s project, but I am happy to assist her in any way I can.”
    “By obtaining invitations for her so that she may search the households of persons of interest?”
    Emma was impressed. “How very clever of you, sir. That is, indeed, one of the ways I try to be of use.”
    Louisa cleared her throat delicately. “What did you conclude concerning the extortion evidence, Mr. Stalbridge?”
    “I read the journals and letters. It appears that there are five people being blackmailed. As I suspected last night, it is not the young ladies who are paying the extortion money. In each case it is a wealthy, elderly female relative who also happens to be in rather frail health.”
    “Why are they paying blackmail?”
    “Each of them is paying it to protect the reputation of a young female relative who was compromised.”
    “How dreadful.” Louisa paused, frowning. “Was it Hastings who compromised them? I suppose, objectively speaking, he is not unhandsome, but I should have thought him a bit too old to appeal to very young ladies.”
    “That is one of the interesting aspects of the situation,” Anthony said. “Each of the young women was compromised by a man who is variously described in their letters and journals as a Greek God with golden hair, the most beautiful man on the face of the earth, and a knight in shining armor. All agree he is in his late twenties.”
    “Hastings has dark hair going gray and is in his