A Crimson Warning Read Online Free PDF

dealings. Dillman’s company did a great deal of work for the government, and I want to make sure he wasn’t killed as a result of it.”
    “What sort of work?”
    “I’m not at liberty to say.”
    “So it’s his work for the government that led you to be asked to investigate?”
    “Yes,” he said.
    I frowned. “What is he exporting to the rest of the empire that could land him in trouble? Was he engaging in some sort of official subterfuge?”
    “Not. At. Liberty.” He stared at me, just long enough to let my insides turn to a pleasant, warm mush. Then he bent over and kissed me.
    “I shan’t be distracted from my purpose,” I said, trying not to kiss him back. My effort was halfhearted at best.
    “Oh, yes, you shall.” He narrowed his eyes and pulled a mockingly stern face. “Upstairs, wife.”
    I laughed as in one swift movement he picked me up and carried me towards our bedroom. My body tingled with anticipation and I no longer made any attempt to resist his kisses. At this time in the afternoon, there could be no doubt the servants would be scandalized.
    *   *   *
    Some hours later, Meg, my maid, interrupted our extremely satisfying—and vigorous—interlude. Truly, marriage was full of the most delightful pleasures. Her knock was more tentative than usual, and she would not meet my eyes when we called for her to enter the room.
    “There’s a lady here for Mr. Hargreaves,” she said, curtsying.
    “No need to be so formal, Meg,” Colin said. “Who is it?”
    “Mr. Davis sent me to fetch you. It’s a Miss Cordelia Dalton. She’s in mourning, sir, and really oughtn’t to be calling on anyone. It must be an emergency.”
    “Thank you, Meg.” He adjusted his tie and slipped on his jacket as she skirted back into the corridor. Meg had been with me from before I’d made my debut, and I was confident no one else was capable of so well taming my hair. Our early days together had their share of rough patches—she had been decidedly xenophobic and it was only through careful and insistent indoctrination that I’d persuaded her to take a more open-minded view of all those things in the world that weren’t English. I’d got her to the point where she admitted to liking Paris. It was one of my finest accomplishments.
    “Cordelia was to marry Mr. Dillman,” I said.
    “I remember Ivy mentioning that,” he said. “Let’s not keep Miss Dalton waiting.”
    We went downstairs and found our visitor huddled in shadows, a black-hemmed handkerchief clutched in her hand. Davis had closed the curtains in deference to the girl’s mourning. She started to rise when we entered the room, but Colin bade her to stay seated.
    “I’m so very sorry for your loss,” I said.
    “It’s beastly of me to come here, I know,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “Mama will simply—oh, I can’t even fathom what she’ll do. But I had to see you. Ivy’s told me so much about you, Lady Emily, and everyone knows Mr. Hargreaves is the best at … well, I can’t say I’m precisely sure what it is he does, but I do know the queen quite depends upon him. And if he’s adequate for her…”
    “In what manner can I assist you?” Colin asked, pulling a chair closer to her and sitting down.
    “I understand you were there when Michael’s body”—she gulped a sob—“when he was found.”
    “I was,” Colin said. “Nothing more could have been done for him. I’m terribly sorry, Miss Dalton.”
    “I know that. Please don’t think I was suggesting otherwise. I want his murderer brought to justice, but my parents won’t let me speak to the police.”
    “Do you know something about the crime?” I asked.
    “I’m not entirely certain,” she said. “My father insists it’s nothing, but I can’t believe it’s coincidence.”
    “Please do explain,” Colin said, his voice gentle and reassuring.
    “Nearly a week ago when Michael called to take me for a walk in the park, he told me his house had been