Hastings smiled. "Ah, Sir Richard's girl. You are most welcome, my dear. Won't you sit down?"
Katherine perched on the chair. The unnamed gentleman, who she assumed must be an arch spy, dragged another chair from the wall and set it beside her, motioning for Alex to sit as well. Alex complied, face hooded. She was sorry to have to go against his wishes, but his life was at stake.
Lord Hastings seated himself behind the desk. "Well, Miss Collins, you have no doubt gone to a great deal of trouble to reach my office and involve yourself in our discussion. Would you care to explain why?"
Katherine nodded. "Certainly, my lord. I understand from my uncle that you believe Lord Borin capable of espionage."
Hastings inclined his head. "That is the charge against him."
"I am amazed you did not dismiss it out of hand," she scolded. "His honor is unassailable."
Hastings managed a polite smile. She thought the man behind him was biting his cheek to prevent laughter. She glared at him.
"We have already taken that into consideration, my dear," Lord Hastings assured her. "I appreciate your passionate defense of the man you love, but I need facts."
Could he tell so easily that she loved Alex? Was her love emblazoned on her face as it was on her heart? Well, so be it. The time for half-truths and trickery was past. She vowed to tell everything if that would save him. She could feel Alex watching her. She dared not look at him. Would she see censure in those eyes, or hope? Either might make her forget what she had come here to do. She took a deep breath.
"You were discussing the Willstencraft ball when I entered, I believe," she told Lord Hastings. "I was there and watching Lord Borin much of the time. What do you wish to know?"
Chapter Twenty-Two
"Miss Collins," Alex started once more.
"Will say what she pleases," Hastings clipped. "If you attempt to stop her again, Borin, I will have you escorted out."
Alex stiffened. "I merely wished to point out," he said tightly, "that Miss Collins should consider her own needs first for once."
Now Katherine stiffened. Her own needs? For once? Did he understand about her War Office then? Had he forgiven her? She had to know. She chanced a look at his eyes and saw love and encouragement written there. Any concerns she had melted away. She smiled at him and saw his mouth curve in a smile in return.
"Miss Collins?" Lord Hastings prompted. "You were going to tell us about the Willstencraft ball?"
She returned her gaze to him with difficulty. "Yes, my lord. As I said, I had Lord Borin in my sights much of the time. What is the question?"
"I will not ask you why you had young Borin under surveillance," he replied knowingly, and she blushed. "What we wish to know is where he disappeared on two separate occasions and what he did then."
Katherine blinked. Two occasions. She'd wager she knew exactly what he'd been up to, and why he refused to speak of it himself. "Oh, that is simple. On the first occasion my stepsister invited him out onto the terrace to attempt to compromise him, only he was too noble."
Hastings coughed, and she had a feeling he was trying to hide a laugh. The fellow behind him suddenly found something fascinating on the floor.
"Very commendable," the marquis said. "I had no idea the fellow could resist temptation so admirably. I trust Miss Templeman would be willing to verify your story?"
Katherine nodded. "Very willing. She highly esteems Lord Borin."
"Yes, very personable fellow, Borin," Hastings quipped. "I had similar reports from any number of young ladies. And what can you tell me about the other occasion?"
"That is easy as well. Part of that time he was with me."
"Busy fellow," Hastings replied, frowning at Alex. "But you said part of the time. Do you know what occurred the other part?"
"Most assuredly." She paused, trying to determine how best to phrase it. Much as she disliked Lord Templeman, she didn't wish to spread gossip, particularly through the War Office. But Lord Hastings was watching her, and she had a feeling he'd see through any screen she attempted to put up. She hurried on. "Lord Templeman, my stepsister's cousin, was attempting to bribe Lord Borin to stay away from Constance."
Hastings blinked as if the answer surprised him. "And how do you know this?"
Now she felt Alex's eyes on her. He was probably thinking she'd eavesdropped. For once, she could say that was not the case. "I saw them return to the ballroom together," she told Lord Hastings, "and I saw the results of the bribe."