Fredrick made his way towards Kendrick’s office and noticed that Caleb and Miss Delacourt had already gathered there. With a polite nod, he acknowledged Miss Delacourt.
In return, she offered a courteous response, “Lord Chatsworth.”
Kendrick spoke up, his voice gruff. “Close the door,” he ordered. “We have much to discuss.”
Following Kendrick’s instructions, Roswell closed the door and came to stand by Fredrick.
Kendrick leaned back in his chair, his expression stern. “We have two French spies that are unaccounted for and we are no closer to finding them than we were before.”
Miss Delacourt opened her mouth to interject, but Kendrick put his hand up, stilling her words. “I don’t need excuses. I need answers,” he asserted. “Which is why I am going to assign Caleb and Miss Delacourt to work together to apprehend these spies.”
With a barely discernible frown, Miss Delacourt responded, “I work better on my own. I just need more time.”
“Time is not a luxury that we have, Agent,” Kendrick remarked sternly. “You will work with Caleb or I will remove you from this assignment.”
Miss Delacourt pressed her lips together, the displeasure etched on her face. “As you wish.”
Kendrick turned his attention towards Caleb. “Are you in agreement?”
With a quick glance at Miss Delacourt, Caleb replied, “I am.”
“Wonderful,” Kendrick muttered. “Now that Chatsworth is useless to us since he got engaged, we need to focus on what we do know, which isn’t much.”
Fredrick interjected, “I can still assist on the assignment.”
Kendrick shot him a dubious look. “You focus your time and energy on courting Miss Sutherland. Caleb and Miss Delacourt can work this assignment.”
“What about me, sir?” Roswell asked. “Caleb and I have been partners since we started working at the agency.”
“That you have been, but I do believe Caleb and Miss Delacourt working together will be for the best,” Kendrick responded. “I have another assignment for you.”
“Very well,” Roswell said.
Miss Delacourt fidgeted with the reticule around her right wrist. “I should go. I need to return before my absence is noticed.”
Caleb stepped forward. “Allow me to escort you to your coach.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Miss Delacourt said.
“I insist,” Caleb responded.
Miss Delacourt looked as if she were going to refuse but propriety won out. “Very well,” she conceded, a forced smile on her lips.
As Caleb went to offer his arm, Miss Delacourt brushed past him and stepped out of Kendrick’s office. Caleb cast a brief, exasperated glance heavenward before following her.
Roswell shifted his gaze to Kendrick. “Miss Delacourt and Caleb working together is an interesting choice.”
“It is, but desperate times call for desperate measures,” Kendrick said. “Miss Delacourt is a competent agent, but she needs to learn some restraint.”
Kendrick reached for a stack of papers on the edge of his desk. “I thought you should know that I called in a favor and Mr. Livingston and his sister will be aboard the next ship to Australia.”
Fredrick, surprised by the swift action, inquired, “They are being transported so quickly? What of a trial?”
“A trial would no doubt besmirch Miss Sutherland’s name, so I convinced a judge to sign off on it,” Kendrick explained.
Gratitude welled up inside of Fredrick as he expressed, “Thank you, sir.”
For a fleeting moment, Kendrick’s usually stoic face softened, revealing a rare glimpse of emotion. “Consider it a wedding present.” He paused and concluded, “That will be all, Agents.”