Maggie MacKeever Read Online Free Page A

fingers on his desk. “Who might those be, pray?”
    That there was a purpose to this conversation, Sir John never took leave to doubt. Heaven forbid that he ever encountered the crafty Baroness in the witness box. “Townsend and Sayer were diverted briefly from their duties concerning the Regent. Neither discovered anything. Ruthven had no better luck, though he’s my leading expert on bank robberies and forgery. Nor did Vickery, for all his expertise in tracking down and recapturing escaped prisoners of war.”
    “Bank robberies,” mused Dulcie. “I do not believe your culprit, as you call him, has yet committed a bank robbery.”
    “As yet?” Sir John was suddenly alert. Lady Bligh might be exasperating and capricious, but there was no denying that she possessed formidable foresight. “What are you trying to tell me?”
    The Baroness slid off his desk, sending his senses pleasantly reeling with her heady perfume. “If I meant to tell you something, John, I would do so without roundaboutation.” She turned to look out the window and the Chief Magistrate remembered belatedly to exhale. “You have not seen fit to utilize Crump’s talents in this affair?”
     Sir John scowled. “To my mind, Crump’s most outstanding achievement has been the apprehension of an enterprising couple who fought a duel in two balloons.”
    “You refer to the criminal in the singular.” Lady Bligh stared somberly into the street below. “I suspect you are mistaken. I suspect also that you undervalue your enterprising little Crump. He may arrive at the truth via circuitous routes, but arrive at it he does.”
    Sir John remained briefly silent, drinking in the sight of Dulcie bathed in sunlight like a lissome purple-haired nymph. He moved to stand beside her at the window. “Very well. If you think it so important, I will put Crump on the case—not that I anticipate he will achieve any better result than his predecessors.”
    “Dear John!” Dulcie touched his arm. “It is so good of you to indulge my whims. Now, we have had a pleasant conversation, but it is time to get down to business. There is an errand that you may execute.”
    Who but Lady Bligh would dare order the Chief Magistrate of Bow Street Public Office to execute her commissions as if he were a footman? Succumbing to temptation, Sir John lifted his hands to tidy her coiffure. “What errand?”
    Dulcie drew back to look up at him, her lively countenance alight with mischief. “Why, to conduct Leda home from Newgate, of course. Your wits are sluggish today! What else would I ask?”
    The Chief Magistrate glowered at her. “Take care, Dulcie! The Regent’s wishes cannot be denied.”
    Lady Bligh drew forth from the bosom of her gown an official-looking document. “As if I would think to do such a thing. This is an order for Leda’s release. I think you will find it all it should be.”
    Sir John held the paper, still warm from contact with her body, as if it might momentarily burst into flame. “Where did you get this?”
    “From Warwick. I did not think it wise to apply to Prinny, poor man. He is very nearly dying of a disgraceful debauch, having sent for George Coleman to come from the King’s Bench Prison to entertain him. A pity, is it not, that a dramatist and theatrical manager should be imprisoned for debt? They sat up all night carousing until Prinny was literally dead drunk and had to be carried to bed. Sir Walter Farquar has saved his life, but at the cost of twenty-seven ounces of blood.” The Baroness touched her handkerchief to her nose. “To further poor Prinny’s distress, he is being dunned in the streets for his debts and the most discreditable stories about him are going the rounds of society.”
    “I would appreciate it if you would stop trying to humbug me!” said Sir John. “How did you persuade Warwick to give you this release?”
    “Warwick was not in the least anxious to be of assistance, as you can imagine, but he soon saw the