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Jake knocked at the door and waited until he heard a muffled assent to enter

He went into the suite, a series of four connected rooe an apart, Mr Rutledge," he said, entering the study

The hotelier sat at a any desk fitted with a cupboard filled with drawers and cubbies As usual, the desk was covered with folios, papers, books, correspondence, calling cards, a stae was closing a letter, applying a seal precisely into a little pool of hot wax

"Good o?"

Jake handed hi smoothly, for the most part There have been few issues with the diplodoed between Bur to help the Nagarajans drive out the encroaching Siamese, Britain had now made the country one of its protectorates Which was akin to being pinned beneath a lion’s paw and being informed by the lion that you were perfectly safe Since the British were currently fighting the Burarajans hoped desperately to redoh-level envoys on a diploifts in tribute to Queen Victoria

"The reception e their rooms three tie’s brows rose "There was a problem with the rooms?"

"Not the rooarajan superstition were not auspicious We finally settled the afterward, the second-floorfro an arrival-in-a-new-land cere a sot out of hand, and the carpet was scorched"

A sarajans have cere See that an appropriate location is found for the the hotel down"

"Yes, sir"

Rutledge riffled through the ers’ reports "What’s our current occupancy rate?" he asked without looking up

"Ninety-five percent"

"Excellent" Rutledge continued to peruse the reports

In the silence that followed, Jake let his gaze wander over the desk He saw a letter addressed to Miss Poppy Hathaway, fro

He wondered why it was in Rutledge’s possession Poppy Hathawayone of the sisters of a fa the London season Like other fae who didn’t own a residence in town, they were obligated either to let a furnished house or stay in a private hotel The Hathaways had been loyal custoe for three years Was it possible that Poppy was the girl Rutledge had been seen with that ?

"Valentine," the hotelier said in an offhand manner, "One of the chairs in my curiosities rooht "

Jake usually knew better than to ask questions, but he couldn’t resist "What kind ofto make a nest in the cushions"

A ferret?

The Hathaere definitely involved

"Is the creature still at large?" Jake asked

"No, it was retrieved"

"By one of the Hathaway sisters?" Jake guessed

A warning glint appeared in the cool green eyes "Yes, as a e leaned back in his chair The position of ease was belied by the repeated tapping of his fingers as he rested his hand on the desk "I have a few errands for you, Valentine First, go to the residence of Lord Andover in Upper Brook Street Arrange for a privatebetween myself and Andover within the next two days, preferably here Make it clear that no one is to know about it, and ireat importance"

"Yes, sir" Jake didn’t think there would be any difficulty in e wanted to meet with someone, they complied without delay "Lord Andover is the father of Mr Michael Bayning, isn’t he?"

"He is"

What the devil was going on?

Before Jake could respond, Rutledge went on with the list "Next, take this--" he handed Jake a narrow-bound folio tied with leather cord, "--to Sir Gerald at the War Office Place it directly into his hands After that, go to Watherston & Son, and buy a necklace or bracelet onnice, Valentine And deliver it to Mrs Rawlings at her residence"

"With your complie gave hi rid of her"

Jake’s face fell God Another scene "Sir, I’d rather go on an errand in east London and be pue save his elance and left

Poppy ell aware that in terood points and bad points

In her favor: Her family ealthy, which meant she would have a handsome dowry

Not in her favor: The Hathaere neither a distinguished family nor blue-blooded, in spite of Leo’s title

In her favor: She was attractive

Not in her favor: She was chatty and aard, often at the same time, and when she was nervous, both problems worsened