"No matter." Peregrine cut the lawyer off from further warnings with a chopping motion of his cigar. "Have we anything else to discuss tonight?"
"The seller of Sulgrave is eager for a quick settlement, so the sale should be closed within a week."
"The sooner the better. Have you had any luck at finding a suitable Mayfair town house?"
"An excellent furnished house on Park Street is available for rent. It belongs to a nobleman who is going abroad for a year. It's expensive but very elegant. Do you want to look at it?"
Peregrine shook his head. "If you think it is suitable, just go ahead and rent it. I am weary of hotel living." He gazed absently at the bright coal on the end of the cigar, remembering another item of unfinished business. "How is Jenny Miller?"
Slade's eyes warmed. "You would hardly recognize the girl. She's amazingly quick. She understands and remembers everything she's told. Her East End accent is almost gone."
Peregrine heard a faint sound at the door of the study, as if a mouse had brushed by. Gesturing for Slade to keep talking, he set his cigar in the ashtray, then rose and crossed the room on soundless feet.
The lawyer watched in puzzlement as he continued, "I've found a woman who was lady's maid to a countess. She is willing to train Miss Miller in the skills required for such a position."
Peregrine threw the door open and was unsurprised when Jenny almost fell into the room. Her eyes widened with terror at being caught. She made a small, desperate sound and whirled away, but he caught her arm and turned her to face him.
The girl looked her true age now that she was dressed as a woman, not a child. In her demure chignon and modest blue gown, she might have been the daughter of a successful lawyer or doctor, or even a vicar. Hard to believe that such a pretty, respectable young lady had spent years imprisoned in a brothel.
Mildly Peregrine asked, "Were our voices loud enough for you, or should we repeat what was said?"
"I didn't hear anything," she protested, trembling in his grip. "I was just coming down to see if Mr. Slade might like me to make him a cup of tea, like I usually do in the evenings."
"That's true," Benjamin put in. "Don't frighten the child. There's no harm done."
Ignoring the interruption, Peregrine said, "Don't lie to me, Jenny." He escorted her into the study. "I've heard you rustling at the door almost since I arrived. Have a seat."
Nervously the girl perched on a straight-backed chair. She glanced at Slade, who smiled reassuringly, then looked up at Peregrine, who towered over her.
His gaze holding hers, he said, "I'm sure that you are excellent at spying and eavesdropping, and those skills have helped you survive. I'm equally sure that you won't stop any time soon. I don't really object, but I want your solemn promise that you will not use anything you learn against me or my friends. Also, if you ever hear something I might be interested in, you will inform me of it. Is that clear?"
Her eyes widened. "I... I promise. I'd never do anything to hurt you or Mr. Slade. I—I just like to know what's going on. All those spy holes in Mrs. Kent's house could be used in both directions. I'm small enough to get into places she'd never think to look, so I learned a lot that way."
"No doubt," he said dryly as he picked up his still-smoldering cigar. "Do you have any requests, comments, or complaints to make before I leave?"
"Oh, no." She shook her shining blond head emphatically. "Mr. Slade has been ever so good to me. These last few weeks have been the best of my life. I'm looking forward to learning how to be a lady's maid. I'll be a good one."
"I don't doubt it." Dismissing her from his mind, Peregrine took a last pull at his cigar before stubbing it out. "Do we have anything else to discuss, Benjamin?"
"No." The lawyer handed over a thick folder. "Here are complete details of everything I summarized tonight. I trust you'll find them interesting."
The prince accepted the folder, bade them both a polite good night, then left. After the door closed behind him, Jenny shook her head. "He's a strange one, he is. Seems to hear and know everything, and never does what you expect. Makes me nervous as a cat on a griddle."
"That's a rather tactless way to refer to your benefactor, though I must admit that I know how you feel," Slade said with a faint smile. "But if you don't cross him, you couldn't ask for a better employer or friend."
"I honest to God wouldn't want him for an enemy," she said with a shiver. Then she smiled at the lawyer, her delicate face lighting up with sweetness. "I'd much rather have you for a friend. You don't scare a body to death." She stood. "Would you like me to make you a cup of tea?"