"So, what's your plan now?"
Marissa roused me from my daze.
After Lady Da Braose had turned down the job and zoomed away in her fancy carriage, I'd stumbled back to my house and somehow managed to drag myself back to my office.
"My plan?" I frowned. My plan had been perfect. Lord Pendleton's other great weakness was:
Women.
Plain and simple.
But he wasn't your typical scummy lecher. He never played around with commoners or other 'low class'. If I wanted to exploit that weakness, the best person to use was my beloved ace, Lady Da Braose. She'd have him wrapped around her gorgeous finger and be digging around his room for the letters in no time.
I glanced at Marissa. I couldn't send her in. Not only was she adorably sassy, but also not a noble. Wolf was certainly not Lord Pendleton's type unfortunately, which left one person to do the job.
"I guess I'll have to seduce him myself," I sighed. "I don't particularly enjoy this sort of thing, however."
In the beginning of my business, I'd seduced many a man myself. I had to do it myself. But recently, I'd had people like Lady Da Braose do that particularly unsavory part of my work for me.
"I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job as always, My Lady," Marissa complimented, pouring a fresh cup of tea and laying out some cookies.
"Thanks for your confidence." I picked up the report on Lord Pendleton again. "Now to make a new plan."
I didn't want to be seen with Lord Pendleton if I could help it, and I really didn't want to have to spend copious amounts of time with him. The best plan of attack would be to capture his attention in one night, have him take me back to his home, and grab the letters and get out before he could even pop the cork off the wine.
I was positive I could charm him in one night. Maybe not as effectively as Lady Da Braose, but well enough. Getting back to his house and digging for the letters was a little more uncertain. There were a number of things that could go wrong, after all.
I had a few ideas in mind and some back up plans I always kept handy for these kinds of situations, and if all else failed, I could whistle for my faithful lackey.
So what I really needed to focus on was the opportune time to approach the man. I had his schedule handy thanks to Mr. Blue Fox. Unfortunately, his time away from his business was filled with polo matches and exclusive parties. As a Baron's wife, I could hardly make a casual appearance at any of his activities.
Except for one.
I ripped open the desk drawer where I'd stashed that stupid black invitation. "Ugh, looks like I'll really have to go to this party," I sighed in defeat.
"Shall I call on Lady Abigail? She did promise to make you a dress last time," Marissa offered. "It really is a shame that Lady Da Braose isn't available."
"Tell me about it," I groaned, laying my head on the desk. "Yes, I suppose we should get in touch with Lady Abigail. I need a dress that's fancy enough, but won't draw any attention toward me."
"Except Lord Pendleton's attention?" my maid reminded me.
I grimaced. "Haaaa. I guess it'll have to be quite eye-catching, after all."
Marissa went on her way to send a letter to Lady Abigail while I poured through Blue Fox's report, noting anything and everything that would give me a clue as to Lord Pendleton's type. I had a pretty clear picture of the look I needed to achieve for the ball by the time Lady Abigail arrived at my office.
The woman was ecstatic to have been called upon so soon after the Winthrop mess, and arrived only two days later, first thing in the morning.
"How have you been, Miss Scandal Maker?" She smiled as I entered the parlor.
"Just wonderful," I returned, suppressing a yawn. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Oh, no worries at all!" Lady Abigail insisted. "I'm just so excited to make a dress for you! Shall I start with measurements? Or should we discuss ideas first? I drew up a few sketches-"
While the woman prattled on, I motioned for Marissa to bring me the paper I had prepared. I wasn't much of an artist, so I'd written a pretty thorough description instead of what a dress that would catch Lord Pendleton's eye should look like.
Lady Abigail stopped mid sentence when I slid the paper across the table to her.
"This is what I had in mind. What do you think?" I asked.
The Lady took the paper and read through it, then eagerly pulled out her sketchbook and got to work. We sat in blessed silence while she scritched and scratched on the paper before finally slamming the notebook down on the table for me to see.
"So something like this?" she asked, her eyes eager waiting for praise.
I looked over the sketch. A part of me died inside at the idea of putting that dress on my body, but honestly, it was perfect. No, it was even better than I had imagined. Lady Abigail wasn't called a pro for no reason.
"I think this is exactly what I need," I complimented her. "Good work!"
"Thank you!" she grinned. "Now, your maid said you need this dress rather soon, right? I'll get your measurements and then go get started on it right away! I'll make it my number one priority!"
"I still have a few weeks," I reassured her. "So you don't have to push yourself."
"A few weeks? Ah, is this for Count Graye's ball?" Lady Abigail squealed. (How could I forget that this woman was the queen of gossip?) "How exciting! I'll make you the most beautiful woman there! Nobody will be able to take their eyes off you! In fact, you'll have a line of suitors out the door by the time I'm do-"
"I sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm!" I cut her off, grasping her hand. "This design is already perfect, no need for anything else."
"Alright, alright." The lady relented. "Let's get your measurements then."