Chapter Thirteen
Never in a million years would Franny have guessed she would accompany a lawman as he investigated crimes.
But here she was, standing outside Lady Celeste Milton’s townhouse, waiting for someone to answer the door.
Later, she’d examine why Edward was dragging her around London.
For now, she would ignore her erratic emotions and enjoy the adventure.
Of course, her task would be easier if the man weren’t so confounding. One second, she was angry at him for pinching her arse. The next, she was admiring a kitten-shaped brooch as his breath tickled her neck, and goose pimples skittered up and down her back.
The door opened. “Good day, Mr. Robinson. Her ladyship will join you soon.” The butler motioned for them to follow.
Franny had never seen the inside of a castle, but she suspected Lady Milton’s marble and gilded foyer rivaled anything the royal family might own.
Her thoughts whirled. If she extended an invitation to Lady Milton, might the wealthy lady become a patron?
Although Lady Davenport and Lady Siddons occasionally joined classes, they were quite spirited and not your average dowagers.
Physical exertion might be too much for the elderly Lady Milton.
But perhaps she might enjoy a drink in the upstairs parlor of The Silk Knuckles.
The butler escorted Franny and Edward to an exquisite drawing room decorated with rose and emerald damask. Seating fit for the king himself was arranged beneath a chandelier dripping with crystals. Since Franny didn’t want to seem like an unsophisticated fishwife, she tried to hide her awe.
Edward relaxed and leaned back in his chair as if he visited houses this fine all the time. Maybe he did. The man seemed to lead an exciting life.
Unfortunately, he caught Franny watching him. Her desire to talk to him overrode her embarrassment. Before she could tell him she quite enjoyed investigating, a beautiful brunette glided into the room, bringing with her the scent of a million roses.
Edward stood.
“Edward, how delightful to see you again so soon,” the lady drawled in a sensual voice.
Franny sneezed.
The lady stopped short. Her gaze traveled back and forth between Edward and Franny, and she blinked a half dozen times, her dark lashes fluttering wildly. Then her brow rose.
“Good day, my lady,” Edward said. “This is Frances Valentine. She is assisting me today. Miss Valentine, meet Lady Celeste Milton.”
But Lady Milton was supposed to be an elderly matron with gray hair and sagging breasts.
This woman’s decolletage was prodigious and spilled over the bodice of her tight red gown.
She looked like she’d dressed for a late morning assignation, and she smelled like seduction.
And, as if the lady’s appearance wasn’t shocking enough, she had addressed Edward by his given name.
Feeling as if she’d interrupted a private moment between Edward and the woman, Franny stood and awkwardly imitated the curtsy Josie had taught her. “Pleased to meet you, my lady,” she murmured.
Up and down, the lady’s gaze traveled as she took Franny in.
Franny had never cared about her appearance.
She suspected she was comely since men regarded her with appreciation, but she simply hadn’t given her aesthetics much thought.
Physical attractiveness played little part in her old life as an athlete or her new life as a businesswoman.
Still, for the second time this morning, Franny was aware that she’d slept in her chemise, and that she hadn’t yet used tooth polish.
She made a mental note to purchase some for her office since she’d be sleeping there until she knew the building was safe.
Wishing she were as stunning as the exotic-looking woman before her, Franny self-consciously pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.
“I did not know there were female lawmen,” the lady said.
Should Franny point out that if there were, they would be called lawwomen?
Edward’s lips twisted. “I have information on your stolen jewelry.”
“How wonderful.” Lady Milton glissaded across the room and gracefully sat on the chair closest to Edward. Once she had arranged herself to look like a goddess perched on a throne, she indicated that both he and Franny should be seated.
Franny sat, sneezed, and then pardoned herself.
Edward glared at her as if she’d purposely made the obscene sound. Well, he could sod off. It wasn’t her fault Lady Milton smelled like a brothel. Or at least what Franny suspected a brothel smelled like.
Stubborn donkey that she was, Franny refused to relax her glower. Edward eventually sighed and focused his attention on his client—and probable lover—explaining what they had learned from their visit to the jewelry shop.
“Do you know a man who fits the description Mr. Wagner provided?” he asked.
Lady Milton stared into the corner of the room as she tapped her long, feminine fingers on the arm of her chair. Franny regarded her own short fingers and rough-skinned knuckles. Wincing, she tucked them into the folds of her skirt as an odd sensation twisted around Franny’s heart.
Celeste Milton was too beautiful, Edward Robinson was entirely too handsome, and Franny did not favor the lightning zinging about the room.
Lady Milton met Edward’s gaze. “I do not recall ever meeting a tall man with a scar above his eye.”
Wearing a lazy grin, Edward crossed a foot over his opposite thigh. Watching him with a soft-lidded gaze, Lady Milton licked her plump red lip. If the cocksure fool was trying to drive the woman wild with desire, it seemed to be working.
Who cared if the lawman was tupping the curvaceous beauty? Franny certainly didn’t give even the tiniest of shites. She was not jealous. She was simply suffering from brain confusion due to perfume poisoning.
“As we discussed,” Edward said, “I told Mr. Wagner that you would visit to thank him for his assistance.”
“Indeed,” the lady said.
Edward clapped a hand on his thigh and stood. “Please excuse us. We have a busy afternoon ahead of us.”
Thank the Good Lord above because Franny wanted to be far away from this woman who oozed so much feminine charm that she made her feel like an unattractive, freckle-faced child.
The lady crooked a finger, motioning for Edward to come to her. Biting his lip, he swaggered a few steps to stand over her. She motioned for him to lean down, and the mesmerized fool obeyed.
Holding her breath, Franny watched as the lady whispered something in Edward’s ear. His Adam’s apple slid with his swallow.
He stepped back and bowed. “I am honored, my lady, but I cannot. I will be working quite late this evening.”
Lady Milton waved her hand dismissively as if she was not fazed by his answer, however, the quiver in her lips said otherwise. “Another time.”
“You will hear from me as soon as I have more information,” he said. “We shall see ourselves out.”
Even extending her stride did not help Franny to keep up with Edward as he hurried out of the room, down the hall, and through the foyer. The second the door closed behind them, he bent forward and sneezed until his eyes watered.
As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Franny was immensely pleased. “God bless you,” she told him. “Let’s go.”