THE BARONET'S DAUGHTER

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

                              CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Quipp presented himself at Frederick Granville’s house of a morning, as his visit was one of business. Today he would receive his fee of five guineas for his work in tracing the whereabouts of Miss Eleanor Wellesley.

    As far as Mr Granville was concerned that would be the end of their business association, but Quipp had other ideas.

    It took one clever scoundrel to recognise another and to profit by it.

    Quipp was not taken in by the opulence of Granville’s house in Hanover Square, or the fineness of his attire. There was no breeding in the man. That made Granville one of the nouveau riche and therefore his wealth was suspect.

    Quipp assumed that since Granville was not in trade, his wealth had roots in nefarious business, and nefarious business was the foundation of Quipp’s own little nest-egg; a nest-egg that he intended to grow at the expense of the Granvilles of this world and their ilk.

    Yes, there was more money to be made out of Frederick Granville, Quipp decided. Every man had his secrets, but not every man could pay to keep them hidden.

    Granville’s obsession with Eleanor Wellesley intrigued Quipp no end. It seemed out of all proportion. There was a history between them, he felt sure, and he was determined to discover what it was.

    Quipp presented himself at the front door. Snipe’s obsequious expression turned to one of annoyance on seeing who the caller was.

    ‘I told you to come to the back door in future,’ he growled at Quipp.

    Quipp ignore the growl and pushed his way in. ‘Mr Granville, if you please,’ he said.

    Snipe lifted his nose. ‘I’ll see if he is in.’

    ‘Oh, he’ll be in to me, don’t fret.’

    Quipp was admitted immediately, as he knew he would be.

    ‘Well?’ Granville asked. ‘Is she settled in London?’

    ‘Well settled,’ Quipp said. ‘In Grosvenor Square with Lord Birkett. She rides with her charges each morning in the park. They usually have a male escort. As far as I can see, she never goes out alone.’

    Granville opened a drawer in his desk and took out some coins. He handed them to Quipp.

    ‘Three guineas, I think we agreed.’

    Quipp smiled to hide his annoyance at the shabby manoeuvre.

    ‘Your memory fails you, sir. It was five guineas. My sojourn in Gloucestershire was costly in expenses.’

    Granville sniffed disdainfully. ‘Very well. Five it is.’

    Quipp pocketed the coins. ‘Will you be needing my services again, sir?’

    ‘I think not,’ Granville said dismissively. ‘I can move freely in social circles which are closed to the likes of you, Quipp. You are no longer needed.’

    Quipp made a show of touching his forelock. ‘Very good, sir. I’ll be on my way.’

    Granville turned his back as Quipp moved to the door, opened it and stood for a moment.

    ‘Good day to you, sir.’

    Granville did not turn; ignoring the salutation and so did not see the look of burning fury on Quipp’s face as he went out of the room.