The Ace: His undercover Maid

His plans

*Daisy*

As instructed earlier by the butler, I sit in a brocade armchair at the end of the hallway, waiting for the man everyone, including the staff, refers to as Ace to finish with the She-wolf behind the closed door so I can retrieve the tea service and tidy up.

I have no doubt there will be pillows or cushions from one of the sofas tossed onto the floor, and perhaps even broken china or porcelain figurines. Although their encounter is certainly quieter than I expected.

Serving as an inquiry agent, a private investigator, I know all about Jason Blackfoot. I am here because of his reputation. My most recent client, Alpha Martin Parkside, is relatively certain his mate is engaged in an adulterous liaison with the man. Therefore, I have hired on as a maid to catch the vixen in the act.

Wednesday a She-wolf arrived a little after nine in the evening. I managed to catch a glimpse of the she-wolf before Ace escorted her up the stairs to his bedchamber, and she wasn't the wife I was searching for. But that doesn't mean Luna Parkside isn't one of his paramours.

Last year, he was the adulterous party named in two divorce proceedings. Now, having seen him with a second She-wolf in this residence, I have to wonder how many partners he needs to slake his lust.

So here I am, hoping my client is correct and my time isn't being wasted. I also hope I can resist the allure of Ace. The man is far too handsome, with features that appear to have been chiseled by angels.

Although a bit rough around the edges, they form a fetching landscape, like that of a majestic mountain with interesting crags and hollows that beg to be explored. Dark hair and hazel eyes, eyes that see too much. Tall with remarkably broad shoulders that can no doubt carry any burden, he wears his clothes well. Obviously, he has a fine tailor and is very particular about his attire. When I fetched his glass, I noticed the unique buttons on his waistcoat. Black onyx inlaid with a golden A.

Most employers pay scant attention to their servants. When he asked my name, my heart sped up, and I feared my ruse had been discovered. But apparently, he was only curious. Yet tiny tremors continue to undulate through me as I prepared tea for his guest.

I was grateful the china didn’t rattle. The concentration with which he watched me certainly didn't help matters. No other gentleman has ever studied me so thoroughly. I feel as though I was naked under his gaze. Not that he leered, but the intensity of his gaze made me feel as if he could see me clearly, and could uncover all my secrets.

The library door finally opens, and the She-wolf steps out followed by Ace, who immediately swivels his head my way, as though he has been struck by my presence as forcefully as I have been by his when he appeared before me. Why the devil am I so aware of him?

"Daisy, what are you doing there?" His deep, rich, and melodic voice makes me wonder if its hypnotic power is partially responsible for his ability to lure she-wolves into his bed so easily.

Quickly, I come to my feet. "Mr. Perkins told me to wait until you've completed your... business so I can collect the tea service straightaway."

"Mmm, I see. Well, I'm going to escort Luna Duckling home before carrying on to a meeting. Hopefully, Perkins remembered to have the car waiting for me." He says.

"I'm rather certain he did, sir. He's quite efficient." I say.

"Yes, he is." He studies me for a full minute while Luna Duckling looks on, more in curiosity than jealousy. I suppose, based on his reputation, the she-wolves know they'll be sharing him, and there's no point in being bothered by it. "Right, then, see to your duties."

Without even touching his guest, he escorts her toward the large foyer that feeds into stairs and hallways. If I were involved with a man, I'd want him unable to keep his hands from me. But then I'd also expect loyalty.

I wander into the library, struck immediately by his bergamot and orange fragrance and beneath, the softer rose scent of his visitor. I hadn't expected everything to smell so crisp and fresh. I assumed the activity surrounding a s****l encounter would taint the air somehow.

Not that I've ever experienced the process in order to know precisely, but I do understand the mechanics of it. A dear friend had explained things shortly after she married, and the way of it… the pain, discomfort, and embarrassment… made me decide it was something to be avoided if at all possible.

Although perhaps my friend's experience was unique. Since I've made my living for the past two years, in part, by discovering if she-wolves are indeed having affairs, I'm flummoxed as to the reason they would seek out an encounter with another man if it's truly a test of endurance rather than a gift of pleasure. Perhaps if it's the right man, with the right She-wolf? But how am I to know when any s****l congress before marriage is to be avoided?

I've shared a few kisses in my lifetime. The first when I was twelve and a stable boy talked me into a bit of wickedness. I even let him undo one of the buttons on the bodice of my dress. I might have agreed to more if, in his haste, his clumsy fingers hadn't caused that one to go flying into the hay he'd spread out in the stall. It took us a good ten minutes to find it, so I could sew it back into place using the lad's small sewing kit before returning to my uncle's manor. The entire time, I was terrified that my misbehavior was going to be found out, and I'd be forced to be mated to the lad.

Are these she-wolves who have illicit affairs terrified? Is the terror of being caught part of the appeal? Or is it love that drives them to another's bed?

Glancing around, I can find no evidence of anything that needs to be straightened. Even the cup and saucer have been returned to their proper place. With a sigh, I lift the tray.

Based on the heat in his eyes when he studied me earlier, I expected to find scorched furniture. If they haven't engaged in s****l relations, why was the Luna here?

I shake my head. It doesn't matter. No one has paid me to care about Luna Duckling. I'm here to confirm that Luna Parkside is involved with this Ace fellow. I do hope the She-wolf makes an appearance soon.

My gaze shifts to the desk, then to the door where no servant stands guard outside, and back to the desk. I am quite alone. Other than the thudding of my heart and the ticking of the mantel clock, I hear no other movements.

After walking over to the large structure, I set the tray on the corner. Several newspapers rest evenly on one side. They are of no interest to me.

I release the latch on an elegant wooden box to reveal correspondence. A quick glance through the missives indicates they are related to business, not paramours. I had hoped for a treasure trove of love letters written by she-wolves who might have enjoyed his company, particularly one from Luna Parkside. It would have been worth gold.

A stack of ledgers is off to the other side. They would be related to business as well, no doubt. Still, I thumb through the first to reveal columns of numbers. I lift the second, my breath catching as my gaze falls on the third. In gilded letters is written ‘Appointments.’ It can't be that easy to gain what I need.

Licking my lips, I glance again toward the doorway. No one about. No shadows wavering beyond it to indicate someone's imminent arrival. No distant sounds to be heard.

I set the diary in the middle of the desk. Between pages, a slender blue silk ribbon trails out from the top. Using it as my guide, I open the book to the present day, Friday. Each day is given its own page, and along the edge of the paper is listed various times. Today's date shows 9 pm. The hand, Twin wolves.

So that's where he is headed. He'll be late to his appointment because of Luna Duckling. Was she an unexpected visitor then? Had they previously engaged in a lover's tiff? Did she come to straighten things out with him? Did she visit for another reason? Although Luna Duckling is not my concern, I possess an inquisitive mind, and questions constantly tumble through it whenever I am presented with anything new or baffling. I always enjoy deciphering any sort of puzzle.

I glance at the day before. Thursday. Nothing in the evening. If he went out, I wasn't alerted to it, but then my present duties involve assisting the upstairs chambermaid. That I was asked to deliver a tea service this evening was unexpected. I turn the page back to Wednesday. 8 pm. Blue-Eyes.

That would have been the She-wolf I saw going up the stairs with him. I am disappointed he doesn't use names. Although perhaps it is only with this particular lover. Tuesday is dinner at Knight's. Monday, he went to the theater with Joker. Playing cards. Are they aliases as well? Could they be other paramours? Now I am curious about his future appointments.

I turn to Monday next. 9 pm. Raven. Luna Parkside has black hair. Could he be referencing her? On Wednesday, he has another appointment with Blue-Eyes.

Thursday evening has a notation of F&S. Is that another lady or a club perhaps? Surely not the Fair and Spare. The notorious establishment caters to bachelors, spinsters, and those no longer married who seek companionship or more, a s****l partners for the evening. What need has he to seek out a rendezvous when she-wolves are coming to him? Is he that insatiable?

I hear approaching footsteps. Quickly, I close the book and return it, along with the others, to their places. I've just picked up the tray when Mr. Perkins strides in and gives me a suspicious look. "The master left some time ago. What are you still doing in here?"

"I was simply tidying up as ordered. A few items were scattered hither and yon." I lie.

"Ace doesn't like us messing about his desk. That's not where you put the tea tray, is it?" He asks.

"No, but it's where I found it when I returned to the room." I've become quite skilled at lying convincingly.

His eyes narrows. "Strange, that."

"Perhaps his guest moved it to prepare herself another cup of tea." I suggest.

"Perhaps." He jerks his head back slightly. "Come on then. Once those are washed, all the chores will be done, and we can retire for the night."

"Yes, sir." With hasty steps, I follow him out. By Monday, with any luck, I'll have the answer I seek regarding my client's wife. The challenge will be proving it.