Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (7 page)

The Squire waved an arm. 'A set of silver candlesticks and the petty cash for household expenses are missing. Only my wife has the key to the silver cabinet. The lock had been picked and the usual calling card was left behind.'

That grabbed Brandon's attention. 'I hadn't heard this before. What calling card?'

The squire reached into the pocket of his waistcoat. 'These abominable things.' He handed Brandon a card.

Pickpocket Countess

Brandon studied it. It was cream coloured and Brandon suppressed a smile. The irony of someone who called themselves

'The Cat' using cream paper was not lost on him. He doubted the squire would see the humour in it. Nor would the squire appreciate the

wit in the thief's use of a calling card when 'visiting' the homes of gentlemen.

Except for the cream

the card was otherwise non-

descript. Bold, black ink on one side proclaimed 'The Cat of Manchester' and nothing more.

'Everyone receives one of these? Witherspoon and the other investors didn't mention it last night,' Brandon said, handing the card back. The Cat obviously hadn't had time to leave one behind when he'd caught up to her last night.

'Well. . . the squire cleared his throat . . . it's embarrassing to admit. We've all got one. Some of us have more. We have three of them now,' the squire grumbled. 'I am at a complete loss over what to do. We seem to be a regular mark. I can't imagine why we've been singled out.' The man sighed heavily in exasperation.

Because you 're an easy target,
Brandon mused uncharitably.

Out loud he remarked, 'Do you still have that same night watchman? I say change the watchman and the nightly routine and The Cat won't be so eager to come around.'

'Or, we catch that criminal and put an end to the need for night watchmen altogether,' Squire Bradley said with an uncustomary vehemence. 'The only house that hasn't been hit is yours.' The squire seemed to sense he had crossed an invisible line. This might be the country, but respect was still respect.

He gave a cough to cover his embarrassment. 'Begging your pardon, my lord.'

Brandon glossed over the breach of social politeness and his opportunity to confess the events of the prior evening. 'As I said, patrols and quality watchmen will go far as a deterrent to crime.' He found it interesting to

The Cat had hit another

Scott

house after leaving. His valet had not found anything else missing from his rooms, only an irritating lack of order.

The rooms had been thoroughly disturbed, but nothing more. There were other valuable items to steal such as gold cufflinks, diamond cravat pins and pocket watches. His clothes alone would bring considerable funds for a thief intent on converting stolen goods to cash.

Jewellery and fine garments in their original states wouldn't do much for the people The Cat professed to helping.

But if the stolen items could be sold and changed to pounds, her mission would be successful without giving the authorities anything to track. Brandon made a mental note; it would be useful to work out where or to whom The Cat sold her goods. No one was

invisible.

'Well, I am done with such guarded measures. The sooner that menace is caught, the safer we'll all be.' The Squire huffed.

'That's the other reason why I'm here. I want you to help me start looking for him. We've been passive too long. Now that you've arrived, we can take direct action.'

Brandon drank from his coffee cup and set it down before answering. 'I mentioned last night that I am as eager as anyone else to see the matter settled. However, I am not sure where to start.

We don't know what this person looks like. Did your watchman catch a glimpse of the intruder?' It wasn't exactly a lie. They
both
didn't know what the thief looked like, only he knew.

'We

he must be from around here, because he has edge of upper-class homes,' the Squire countered, showing more intelligence than Brandon had previously given him credit for.

'Is there anyone new in the neighbourhood since these robberies began?'

The Squire thought for a moment. 'That's the one drawback with progress. Since we've been planning for that textile factory, there have been lots of new men in the area-workers, supervisors, architects, engineers, investors, the whole gamut.'

24

Pickpocket Countess

'If it's too difficult to think of new people, think of a motive,'

Brandon suggested, shifting in his chair. The sooner the Squire was placated or given the illusion of action, the sooner he'd leave and Brandon could get on with his day, something he desperately needed to do.

about The Cat was creating an

interesting side effect in his nether regions. 'Who would have reason to rob certain wealthy homes while leaving other potential homes untouched? Perhaps someone is not happy about the factory and believes it will cost people their jobs?' Brandon shamelessly hypothesised, borrowing liberally from The argument the prior night. He hoped to plant the idea firmly in the Squire's head.

'That's ridiculous. There isn't anyone who believes that kind of nonsense!' the Squire blustered, nonplussed by the very idea. 'Why, that sort of

is not English!'

Bradley's intelligence quotient fell back a notch. Brandon schooled his features to hide his disbelief. Surely the man didn't believe the issues that had sparked twelve years

ago had actually been resolved? If anything, the intervening years had created a stronger, better-organised working class.

The coming of widespread industrialisation had changed everything, including the need for different representation in Parliament-the very issue he'd been debating when the message had arrived in London regarding the No wonder

Bradley was having trouble coming up with motives. The poor man couldn't fathom the political realities of the day.

Brandon returned to his previous suggestion. 'Perhaps names would be the best place to start after all.'

The Squire leaned forward, frustration evident in his tone.

'My lord, I don't think you understand. Your suggestions are theoretically sound. However, there haven't been any newcomers who've taken up long-term residence in Stockport-on-the-Medlock recently except for the investors from London.'