Mistress - Amanda Quick [48]
Iphiginia wondered if he recognized her determination on that point. He was a very intelligent man, after all. Perhaps that was the reason he had not attempted to press his attentions on her since the other night.
He was the sort of man who would think matters through carefully before making his next move.
The library door opened.
“Iphiginia?” Amelia, dressed in a gray high-necked gown that made her look considerably older than her twenty-six years, came into the room. “Mrs. Shaw is bringing tea.”
“I could use a cup. I need to collect my thoughts before Mr. Manwaring arrives.”
“He will be here shortly.” Amelia glanced at the clock. “He is a punctual person. By the bye, I have made a preliminary list of widows and spinsters who might be interested in participating in our new venture.”
“Are they all from the investment pool we formed for Morning Rose Square?”
“Most of them are, but two of them are new. A Miss Sanders and a Miss Crest. I met them at the museum last week. They are both paid companions who have managed to set aside a small amount to invest.”
“Excellent.” A thought struck Iphiginia. “That reminds me, I ran into Mrs. Osworth in Pall Mall the other day. She mentioned that she was interviewing a new companion. The woman was from the Wycherley Agency.”
Amelia grimaced. “I’m not surprised. The Wycherley Agency caters to families such as the Osworths. Very exclusive.”
“I thought the name rang a bell. That was the agency which employed you, was it not?”
“Yes.” Amelia’s mouth tightened. “It’s been in business for years.”
A discreet knock sounded on the library door. Iphiginia glanced at it. “What is it, Mrs. Shaw?”
Mrs. Shaw, as solidly built and very nearly as stately as a classical ruin, opened the door. “Mr. Manwaring to see you, Mrs. Bright.”
“Please send him in.”
Mrs. Shaw stepped aside to usher the visitor into the library. Iphiginia and Amelia greeted him with welcoming smiles.
“I did not hear your carriage, Mr. Manwaring,” Iphiginia said.
“It’s such a fine day that I chose to walk.” Adam Manwaring smiled at both women. His eyes lingered warmly on Amelia, who appeared to be oblivious.
Adam was an earnest, sober-minded man of twenty-seven years. He was the youngest son of a country squire who owned lands in the north. With no hope of inheriting his father’s property, Adam had been obliged to forge a path for himself in the world. He had an excellent head for numbers and details and it had led him to his present career as a secretary and man of affairs.
Three years ago Iphiginia and Amelia had become his exclusive employers. He was devoted to them. His allegiance had been based initially on the fact that the two had hired him after he had begun to despair of ever finding a good position. His youth and lack of connections had made it difficult for him to secure clients.
Adam’s unwavering loyalty to Iphiginia and Amelia was now cemented by considerably more than gratitude. It was also based on a solid financial interest. He had scraped together every penny he could put his hands on to join them in the Morning Rose Square venture. A year ago Adam had taken his hefty profits together with the widows and spinsters who had formed the investment pool.
Although Iphiginia had complete trust in Adam, she had not told him about her scheme to catch a blackmailer. He had been instructed to be absolutely discreet concerning her identity. Adam assumed she merely wished to remain anonymous and to keep her connection to the investment pool a secret so that she would not be pestered by interested parties.
Adam did not move in social circles and had little interest in gossip. He was very aware of who was who in the ton, however, and, more important, he knew a great deal concerning their financial affairs.
“Please have a seat, Mr. Manwaring.” Iphiginia pretended not to notice the tinge of red in Adam’s cheeks