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aunt that is, was a lady of independent means. But since then her circumstances have undergone a marked change, and her home, Riverside House, has been turned into a hotel. Mrs. Eden and her aunt take in paying guests.”
    “Good heavens!” The earl stared at Smithers. “Are you telling me that this indulged young lady, who was presumably accustomed to the best of everything, is now reduced to being nothing more than a glorified landlady? And the father who supposedly loves her so much has done nothing to rescue her? How would that look to the local nobility he’s so intent upon ingratiating himself with?”
    “I’m unable to say, my lord, and neither can I ascertain that she’s requested any assistance from her father.”
    Felix, who’d been lost in contemplation, found his voice again. “But don’t you see? That could be how Barker does it.”
    “What do you mean, Felix?”
    “Well, the aunt, taking in the daughter and opening up her house to strangers all of a sudden. Rather an odd thing to do, wouldn’t you say, unless the family was creating an opportunity for the daughter to act as a go-between without exciting curiosity?”
    The earl nodded. “It is certainly a possibility, I suppose.”
    “It seems perfectly obvious to me.”
    “Have a care, Felix. It doesn’t do to jump to conclusions, especially when the people involved are strangers. There may be a perfectly rational explanation.”
    “If the woman’s husband owned a cutter, then he must have left her provided for. If she had a disagreement with her father, why not move right away from the district instead of staying so close at hand?” Felix shook his head. “It makes no sense. She must be involved.”
    “I concur with your observations, my lord.” Smithers bowed in Felix’s direction. “The idea had not previously occurred to me, as it most assuredly should have done.”
    “Father, we can’t allow this despicable trade to continue, and certainly can’t countenance the use of our vessels for such a purpose. Allow me to go to Swyre and register as a guest at Riverside House. Let me see what I can make of it, firsthand.”
    “Out of the question, Felix.”
    “But, Father, consider!” Agitated, Felix stood and paced the room. “I cannot abide the thought of people profiting from such human misery. But for a woman to so blatantly involve herself — a woman who is a mother herself, moreover — is quite simply beyond the pale.” Felix’s pacing became more agitated, lending proof to the depth of his feeling. “We cannot, as gentlemen of principle, allow this man’s business to continue. You must permit me to do this, Father. I consider it to be my duty.”
    “Your duty, or your destiny, Felix?”
    “It makes little difference. It’s simply something I must do.”
    “Use your sense, Felix. Even if I were to permit it, you can hardly go barging into this place as Lord Western. Everyone there would know who you were in an instant.”
    “Exactly, Father, and that’s why I shall go as…now, let me see, who shall I be?” Felix paused, sensing that his father’s resistance was weakening. “I know, why not a Mr. Beaumont — an agent from Bristol looking for, shall we say, certain commodities on behalf of my various wealthy clients? That should excite Barker’s interest, if he’s as keen on climbing the social ladder as Smithers believes to be the case.”
    “Not in that coat, I think,” the earl said, chuckling as he ran his eyes over Felix’s superbly-cut merino wool coat.
    “I shall take Perkins with me. I’m sure he will be able to find clothing more suitable for my purpose.”
    Still, the earl hesitated. “I’m not at all sure about this, Felix. These men must be exceedingly ruthless.”
    “Quite so, my lord.” Smithers nodded vigorously. “We believe the man we rescued was shot by Barker’s own men when we intervened and he was unable to escape.”
    The earl and Felix both frowned at Smithers — for very