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Jensen had spent the last three months riding back and forth between being the Duke of Richmond and Jack Billings. He had told Simon he wanted to keep working for the crown after all he did not know anything about being a Duke but dealing with the bottom feeders of the night, he had a lot of experience.

For the last three months Jensen was spending all his free time trying to find out how the fire started that killed his family. Simon had people looking into it but all information on the fire and the death of his family had grown cold that was until he opened a letter addressed to the New Duke of Richmond.

Dear Duke of Richmond,

I have a mystery involving your family.

Johanna Hartford

March 2,1828

Jensen laughed the letter seemed ominous and silly leave it to a woman to spray it with the scent of lavender making it seem rather silly instead of great importance. He was surprised when Adams knocked on the door and said he had a visitor

"Your Grace, Lady Hartford is here to see you."

Jensen's curiosity was peeked.

"Send her and her chaperone in Adams?"

"She is alone your grace."

Jensen nodded to Adams to let her in he was surprised at how young she was, and she was young. He was already standing and waved his hand over to a chair.

She curtsied deep since after all he was a Duke. A very handsome and young Duke she happened to notice. He had wavy chestnut brown hair and bright green eyes. They reminded her of the green of the hills of Richmond which was green and lush everywhere one looked. The Crown had taken care to leave Richmond as a bit a paradise outside of the hustle and bustle of London.

Jensen could not help noticing the beauty of the young lady before him. Her hair was as bright as gold and her smile only enhanced her brightness. He expected to find blue eyes but was surprised to find she had the deepest brown eyes he had ever seen. Once she was sitting and Jensen had regained his composer he sat behind his desk.

"What can I do for you Lady Hartford?"

She clutched an old book it was the first time he noticed she was holding something. He laughed to himself good thing his job for the crown was not observation. He sat and waited for her to explain why she was there and why she did not have an escort. What kind of parent would let her go out without a chaperone?

"I found this." She held up the book and continued. "a few weeks back and have investigated what it all meant for that entire time. I think I have finally figured out what it all means and how it connects to your family. You see..."

She started to open the book to show him what was inside. Jensen did not see the writing in the book but a secret compartment in the innards of the book. She took out a of Key and letter.

"I have been trying to find out what family this Key belongs too. I have surmised a week or, so this Key is an old crest granted an old family crest but the Duke of Richmond's nevertheless."

She handed him the Key so he could inspect it. Sure, enough it was the older family crest back from before his grandfather. Before he could ask her anything about the Key, she started to read a letter she had taken out with the Key.

"This is the letter I received with the book and the Key. It is noticeably short and mystifying. Lady Hartford, take this Key and solve the mystery of days of yore and tell the world of an unwilling offering of purity and life, Justice denied."

"May I ask where you got this Key?"

"Did you not listen, at all. I got it out of the book silly man."

Jensen had to stifle a laugh he could feel coming out. He had not been called silly in an exceptionally long time.

"Yes, I understand the key was in the book but where did you get the book?"

"Oh." Jo laughed at herself he indeed had been listing and she had just insulted a Duke not that was new she was always insulting Luther who was the Duke of Teck. Jensen liked the way she laughed at herself. It struck him how comfortable she seemed to be considering they had just met. When she stopped laughing she answered his question.

"It was on the bank of the Thames where I go daily to get away from my wicked sister in law and read a book. There was a picnic lunch spread out and this book of poems. Which by the way were rather dark but good? Getting back to the point of the story when I got to the middle of the book the Key and the letter were in there. After a lot of research, I concluded this belongs to the Everleigh family. The reason of my visit is because I would like your permission to check out your family estate to see if I can solve the mystery."

Jensen sat pondering her request having a beautiful young lady around would not be a hardship or hard on the eyes. He had to admit to himself he was rather curious about the gibberish written in the letter.

"You do realize Lady Hartford this is a bachelor's home. It would not be proper if you did not have an escort."

Jo laughed he was being a stick in the mud she had never been required a chaperone before.

"I know this might seem strange, but I have never been required to have one. I have always been free to come and go as I please. I travel to and from London weekly by myself."

Jensen was astonished anyone so young and of the peerage was allowed to wander freely. He knew if she were his responsibility, she would have a chaperone twenty-four hours a day. He said nothing he was trying to think of what could be done to accommodate the young ladies wishes. Just then the solution presented itself. His Aunt Pauline walked in the room holding out a piece of paper.

Pauline had not spoken a word since she was five, there was no reason for it, but all the doctors agreed it was all in her mind she was not talking because she did not want to. She was his father's only sister and had never left Bountiful unless forced. Maybe they could help each other this would give Pauline a companion and save the young ladies reputation. Jensen looked up from the note and over to his aunt.

"Are you sure?"

She smiled and nodded her head in acceptance. He nodded back.

"My Aunt Pauline has offered to show you around the house and help you in your search."

Jensen had to laugh when Lady Hartford clapped her hands together out of joy. She seemed almost childlike.

"Would it be possible to start today?"

Jensen laughed again this young girl was good for his soul he had not laughed so freely since he started to work for the crown. He would have to visit Katie and let her know he was not a lost cause after all.

"You may start as soon as you would like, and I will let everyone know you have complete access to the entire estate. I must insist you keep me apprised on what you have found."

"Oh yes I can keep you apprised daily if you would like?"

Jensen found he indeed wanted to have a daily briefing by this young lady.

"Then make yourself at home Lady Hartford."

"Thank you, your grace, is there somewhere I can change going through the attic in such attire I would ruin a perfectly good dress."

"I am sure my Aunt can help you with changing."

Pauline was nodding and trying to encourage her to follow her. Jo picked up the valise she had brought with her in the hope of getting permission. When the women where gone he called to Adams who he knew sent Pauline in to save the girls reputation. Adams walked in with a smile on his face.

"You called your grace?"

"Thank you Adams I know you are always looking out for my best interest."

"Yes, your grace. Is that all?"

"No Lady Hartford will be coming to visit and trying to solve a mystery that seemed to fall in her lap, my Aunt will be with her. I would like My Aunt to escort the lady around. I think it will do her good to have a female friend that is not a family member."

Adams smiled at the Duke.

"I think that is very wise your grace and I will make sure there will be an outing or two for them so Lady Everleigh gets out as well."

Pauline led the young lady to a spare bedroom and wrote her a note that she would send her ladies maid to help her change.

"If you could just unbutton me I can get into my breeches all by myself."

Jo knew she had shocked the Dukes aunt. Girls did not go running around in breeches let alone in a stranger's house. Pauline did as the young lady requested and then stood out in the hallway waiting for her to come out. When Jo exited the room, Pauline was astounded the girl looked comfortable and ready for a day's work. Jo laughed at herself.

"I know it is unconventional, but I have always envied men and the comfort of their breeches."

Pauline nodded her agreement she might not go out anytime soon in breeches, but she did agree they looked much more comfortable than the styles for women. She led them to the attic so they could start their search. Jo was quite impressed she had never seen an attic so organized. She laughed at her thoughts and realized she had only seen two attics in her life the one at the Ducal estate and one at the London home.

"This shouldn't be too hard someone is very well organized. Well let us get started while we have sunlight to work by."

Jo and Pauline started to open the windows for the sunlight and the fresh air. Systematically the girls went through each section of the attic finding anything that had a keyhole. By the time they finished there was no more sunlight and they were hoping to close the attic without breaking their necks they forgot to bring a candle with them.

Jensen had gone up to the attic several times but never went in seeing Lady Hartford in breeches was causing his imagination to go wild. But now he was worried since it was dark and the two of them had not thought of light after dark. He walked slowly up the stairs and had to smother his laughter the two of them were walking with their arms outstretched and bumping into things. Evidently, they had closed the windows near the door first. Leave it to a woman to not use any logic in this type of situation.

"I was wondering if the two of you might like to join me for dinner?"

As they walked closer to Jensen Jo could not help noticing his eyes looking over her body and the smile he had on his face. She laughed at him; she was used to having men look at her but when this man did it she seemed to not mind at all. She decided to add a little more fuel to the fire. As she walked past him she added a little more wiggle to her walk giving him the sight of the firm roundness of her rear.

Pauline laughed at her nephew's mesmerized glare at the young lady. He was smitten and she seemed to be encouraging him on. She could not help thinking she was not like her brother at all. Luther was a proud private and honest person. Not that Johanna was not honest, but she seemed to be a flirt and Luther was sincere in his intentions even at the age of seventeen. She remembered the first time they met when they were children, they were the same age and were always put together when the families got together. It was natural each of them held a dukedom on each side of the river, but something happened when she was eighteen that seemed to break the families apart.

Jo went back to the room where she had left her clothing and changed back into her dress, she was grateful that there was a lady's maid waiting in the room for her. When Jo entered the dining hall she smiled when the Duke stood to show respect, she gave him a slight curtsy and a nod of the head. The butler pulled the chair to the Dukes right out for her. Jo thanked him and the butler blushed. Jensen could see she was influencing everyone.

At first the diners were, silent all seemed to be hungry and enjoying the meal. Jenson could not help looking at the young lady while trying not to look at the young lady. When she caught him he thought he should say something?

"May I inquire how your hunt went today?"

Jo smiled and gave him a thoughtful look.

"We did not find anything to solve the mystery, but we learned a great deal of interesting things about your family."

"Such as?"

"Did you know the first Duke of Richmond was the illegitimate son of Charles the II?"

"There was some talk amongst the family about it, but nothing was ever substantiated."

"We have substantiated it have we not Lady Everleigh?"

Pauline nodded her head in the affirmative.

"I will have to tell his majesty the next time I see him. Did you find out anything else of interest?"

"One of your ancestors was a Pirate and used to sail to Asia the book told the tales of his adventures. He wrote all about it in his journal. He even has a map to a treasure Lady Everleigh, and I have decided we will search for the treasure after we solve the mystery."

The thought of seeing more of Lady Hartford strangely brought him a sense of happiness. He took a drink of wine, he needed to get a grip on himself he seemed to be affected by this young girl. That would not be healthy in his business. He planned on not marrying until he retired and since he was only twenty and five he had no immediate plans to do so. After the meal Jo thanked the Duke and his Aunt and explained she should go since it was getting late.

The Duke inquired how she was getting home and was not pleased with Jo's answer.

"I plan on getting home the same way I got here I shall walk silly."

For the second time today, she had called him silly. Silly or not he would not allow her to walk home.

"I have to go out tonight, so I will take you home Lady Hartford."

"Oh, that is nice of you your grace, but I love to walk, and it is a beautiful night. I would not like to take you out of your way on my account."

"I insist or I will revoke my permission to go through the manor."

"Well if you insist your grace!"

The ride was relatively short after all they were only going two miles across the bridge.

"Will you be by tomorrow? Lady Hartford?"

"If that is alright with you, I will be by. I am hoping to start on the top level and keep moving down. Lady Everleigh said she is excited to see the top floor no one's gone up there in years."

There was an uncomfortable silence between them then he spoke.

"My Aunt seems to have taken a liking to you."

"I am glad we seem to get along well. She is very pleasant to be around. She is very fond of you your grace."

"She told you that did she?"

"She did she also said your father was immensely proud of your service. He always felt you would have made the better Duke than your brother. She told me she had tried to tell you this, but she does not think you believe her."

"My Aunt was rather chatty today."

They were silent again before Jo started to talk.

"Has she always been mute?"

"They say she stopped talking when she was only five. Sometimes I think I hear her singing but that could be my imagination since when I go to listen at the door there is only silence."

"Does anyone know why she stopped talking?"

Before he could answer her question, the carriage came to a stop.

"I guess that is a story for another day."

Jensen helped her out of the carriage and then was on his way to his other job. He Changed clothing on the way there tonight there would be a special guest attending.