Free A Poisoned Season by TASHA ALEXANDER Page A

had recounted my conversation with Mr. Berry. “We should have encouraged Pembroke to elope.”
    “You’re right,” I said, feeling acutely guilty that I had not done more for the girl. “She’s the only person I know who spent most of her youth actively dreaming about romantic fairy tales. For such a girl to wind up with Mr. Berry is not to be borne.”
    “I’m afraid there is little that can be done about her engagement now.”
    “He’s such an awful man!” I said. “What do you think he was referring to when he mentioned my illicit assignations ?”
    Cécile waved her hand dismissively. “The most foolish sort of gossip, Kallista. I heard it reported at a party several nights ago. The story is that the Duke of Bainbridge was seen leaving your house at five o’clock in the morning.”
    “Jeremy? Why on earth would he be here so late?”
    “It became clear that the time in question was the second night the intruder broke into your room. Someone must have seen Monsieur Hargreaves and thought he was the duke.”

    “But they look nothing alike.”
    “ C’est vrai . I cannot imagine anyone would mistake one for the other.”
    “Colin’s being here wasn’t inappropriate in the least,” I said. “The police came the next morning, and the story was in all the papers.”
    “That is precisely what I said to correct the story.”
    “Have you any idea who is the source of the rumor?”
    “No one ever owns up to starting such a thing. I wouldn’t let it trouble you—soon enough they’ll find someone else to gossip about.”
    “I suppose you’re right,” I said. “I’m much more interested in Berry’s connection to Mr. Francis. Berry’s story doesn’t sit right with me. If Mr. Francis had wanted to sell him something, why wouldn’t Berry have referred to the object in his reply?”
    “And why would Monsieur Francis have tried to sell something to a man whom everyone in London knows is at the mercy of his creditors?”
    “I should very much like to find Mr. Francis’s letter.”
    “But Monsieur Berry did not keep it.”
    “Do you think we can trust him to tell the truth? I wonder…” I thought for a moment. “If only there were some way to know Berry’s plans for the evening.”
    “Lady Londonderry is giving a dinner party in his honor.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “I received an invitation.” She looked at the watch pinned to her bodice. “If I do not dress soon, I’ll be late.”
    “She didn’t invite me,” I said. “How odd. She’s thick as thieves with my mother.”
    “I’ll gladly cancel if you think she is slighting you.”
    “No. Go, Cécile, and make sure that Berry doesn’t leave early.”
    “Pourquoi?”
    “It would be best if I don’t tell you. That way, should I be discovered, you won’t have to feign ignorance of my plan.”

    “I do not like this, Kallista.”
    “Don’t worry about me. So long as you keep Berry occupied, I’ll be in no danger.”
     
    A s soon as Cécile had left for dinner, I changed into a modest, dark blue dress and a veiled bonnet, careful to choose something that would not draw any attention to my presence. I waited until it was safe to assume Lady Londonderry’s guests had been seated, then headed to the Savoy, having my driver leave me two blocks from the hotel lest anyone recognize my carriage. Once inside, I walked quickly past the desk. The lobby was relatively quiet, most of the guests already gone for the evening or dining in the restaurant. I slipped up the stairs to the fourth floor and knocked on Mr. Berry’s door. There was no answer. Excellent. I went to the back stairs and descended to the lower level, where in short order I found three maids drinking tea in a small room.
    “I’m so sorry to disturb you,” I said as they all leapt to their feet. “I’m in the most terrible bind. I was visiting a…a gentleman this afternoon and am afraid that I lost a bracelet in his room. It’s rather awkward, you see, as