Chapter Twenty-Five
E dith listened intently as Mr. Lambourne described the process of transportation.
“The convicted men or women are kept on hulks or in gaol until they are transferred to the ship that will take them to New South Wales. Convicts are not usually transported unless they have a sentence of seven years or longer.”
She shuddered. “I’ve heard the hulks are overcrowded and a breeding ground for disease.”
“As are the gaols, which is the primary reason Britain is transporting convicts to New Holland.”
“And to provide you with inexpensive labor,” she replied dryly.
The man sighed. “My lady! The convicted, if well behaved, will be freed after their sentence is served.”
“Do many prisoners perish on the long voyage?”
“Despite the voyage taking eight months or more, only a few convicts expire each voyage.” When Edith gasped, he added pragmatically, “There are deaths on nearly any voyage of such length.”
She conceded that was probably true. “Parliament is not in session, yet you made the same perilous journey to England.”
“I’m here to speak with the Transport Board, my lady.”
Edith knew little of the board other than it was under the jurisdiction of the treasury rather than the navy. “The ships are hired?”
“Yes, they are.”
She wasn’t sure what else to ask the man. She doubted he knew much about individual voyages. Edith would have to ask Lord Harbury if he’d contacted anyone at the Transport Board. It seemed the next logical step in their investigations.
Although she couldn’t imagine Mr. Lambourne was involved with the RA, she would not ask specific questions about the missing men.
“Shall we rejoin your party?” Lord Kettering asked her when she remained silent.
“Thank you for speaking with me, Mr. Lambourne. I’ve neglected my father long enough.”
After Lord Kettering escorted her to her father’s side, the gentleman excused himself to speak with other members of the society.
“This is an unbelievably boring gathering. I hope you found out something useful,” Louisa whispered.
She nodded. “The next step to discover whether our veterans are being transported would be to speak with the Transport Board.”
“Something you do not plan on doing yourself?” her father asked with a frown.
“Lord Harbury can undertake that task. I wouldn’t imagine anyone on the board would speak to a woman about their business.” She paused. “You won’t tell anyone about our missing veterans, Father?”
“No, my dear. And you must promise not to put yourself in any danger.”
She blinked. “Danger? Never, Father.”
“Would you mind terribly if we went home, Lord Essex?” Louisa let out a long breath. “I feel a migraine coming on.”
Edith wasn’t sure if Louisa was telling the truth, but she was glad her friend had spoken up. Louisa was right: the reception was incredibly dull.
* * * * *
“N athaniel?”
The voice and knock were his sister.
“Come!”
He was in his study reading the papers to look for any events in the news that could be related to the missing veterans. Thus far, nothing stood out.
“I haven’t seen you all day, brother.”
“I had some business to take care of.” He paused. “When I returned home, I wanted some quiet time.”
“And the last thing I am is quiet.”
He couldn’t think of a reply.
“I know what people say about me. I’m trying to do better, really I am.”
He smiled kindly. “Be yourself, Alicia. I love you the way you are.”
“You are a very patient man. Lady Edith is the only other person I know who has as much patience with me, although Lady Kettering does try.”
“Lady Edith is a kindhearted lady,” he replied carefully.
“And pretty?” his sister asked coyly.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Although I’m sure she would rather be considered intelligent.”
“You could marry Lady Edith.” Alicia winked at him.
“I think her heart lies with another.” He wished he hadn’t said the words; his day had been trying enough.
Alicia huffed. “Cecil? That is but a passing infatuation. Most women in London are enamored of the viscount.”
He looked a question.
“Not I, dear brother. He has no tolerance for a chatterbox like me. Do not worry. Lady Edith will come to her senses soon enough. She is too rational not to do so.”
He didn't want to discuss Edith and who she might be infatuated with. Although he didn’t want to tell Alicia about the murder, he knew she would hear it by way of gossip. And soon.
“Please be seated, Alicia.”
“You look very serious. Is it about the missing veterans?”
“It isn’t, but what I have to tell you could be connected. There was a murder today. A maid in the household of Lady Sandhurst.”
“A murder!” Alicia turned pale as she dropped onto a settee. “How horrible.”
“I was in the lady’s house when it happened. I don’t believe anyone else is in danger, but I wanted you to know about it in case you heard my name mentioned in connection to the murder. The runners are investigating the maid’s death.”
“What a terrible thing to happen. Poor woman.”
“I agree. Have I upset you?”
Alicia shook her head. “I’m sad that a young woman lost her life, but I shall not descend into hysterics.”
The dressing gong sounded. “Be off, dear sister. And remember, I am capable of handling my own personal life.”
“Are you? We shall see.” She paused. “And I am capable of listening when you need advice or support.”
Alicia departed, and he went upstairs to his bedchamber, where his valet arrived to help him dress for dinner.
Was Alicia right? Would Lady Edith soon come to her senses? However, that didn’t mean she would ever consider him a marital prospect.
He would see her on the morrow. He had to think of a way to board the hulks in Woolwich. If he merely asked about the veterans, the guards assigned to the ships might alert someone in the RA.
Cecil would make sure the veterans weren’t in gaol as a few coins in the right hands should tell them whether their veterans were incarcerated on land.
As he went downstairs to dinner, his earlier melancholia was forgotten. His thoughts had turned to a lovely, golden-haired lady he would see at Kensington Gardens on the morrow.