CHAPTER 19
The echo of the words hung heavy over the room as the rescue party took a solemn leave from the room.
“Ye heavens, with all the excitement, I could use another nap,” murmured Alison as she watched the group disappear into the corridor.
“And I,” said Sudler, “could use another brandy.”
Wrexford refilled the professor’s glass and then came to take Charlotte’s arm.
“Come, let’s take a stroll outside. Perhaps the sunshine will shed some clarity on how to untangle this coil of vipers,” he muttered.
“But I fear we’ll need more than light.” They crossed the corridor and passed through the door leading out to the back terrace. “We’ll need a bloody miracle.”
“We’ve faced daunting situations before,” pointed out Charlotte. “And daunting foes.”
“Yes, but this mystery, I fear, is a web that’s woven far wider than any we’ve faced before.”
The breeze slipped beneath the neckline of her gown and, like an icy finger, stirred a shiver along the length of her spine. “I believe Lady Cordelia is telling us the truth.”
“The truth as she knows it,” agreed the earl. “But if there’s this level of corruption within the East India Company, I have to believe that someone in a very senior position is behind it.”
Charlotte understood enough about the world of power and privilege to know that he was likely right. “As I make my living uncovering the secrets and scandals of Polite Society, I’m aware of how a thin veneer of perfectly polished respectability can hide a core of rot.”
She thought of the murdered Henry Peabody, an ordinary man who believed that the rules should apply to everyone. “But no matter how deeply that rot goes, or whom it touches, I intend to expose it.”
Wrexford heaved a long-suffering sigh. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”
“Don’t pretend that my sentiments surprise you.”
His mouth curled up at the corners.
“And besides,” she added, “you hate hypocrisy as much as I do.”
The smile grew more pronounced. Tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow, Wrexford led her down a set of stairs to a low stone wall that looked out over a distant lake.
He sat and patted the spot beside him. “We shall have to plan our next steps very carefully. With all our well-meaning friends running around, trying to help, it’s imperative that we don’t let them stray into trouble. ”
“I was thinking much the same thing,” said Charlotte. “We need to be methodical. You have entrée into the world of banking, and into the clubs to which the senior officials of the East India Company belong, so I suggest that is where you begin your investigations.”
“Yes, I’ll certainly need to have a word with Mather. And another chat with Copley.”
“What’s your impression of him?” asked Charlotte. She knew the man only by reputation.
“Smooth and polished as one of the classical marble statues in the British Museum,” said the earl.
“But as we keep reminding each other, appearances can be deceiving.” He considered the question for a moment longer.
“That said, I’ve not heard a whisper about any flaws. We shall have to ask Lady Peake—”
“Ask me what?” The tap-tap of Alison’s cane quickened over the flagstones. “Forgive me for interrupting, but something came to mind that I thought you ought to know.”
“We were just wondering what you know about Lord Elgin Copley,” replied Charlotte as Wrexford quickly rose and assisted the dowager in taking a seat beside her.
“His reputation is as pristine as virgin snow. Though that in itself might stir suspicions,” came Alison’s tart reply.
“For no one is perfect.” A pause. “However, from all that I have heard since he arrived back in England, Copley comes close to deserving a pedestal. Not only is he said to be a brilliant administrator, but he’s also very generous in his support of a variety of worthy charities and champions sensible reforms in Parliament. ”
“Yes,” mused the earl after resuming his perch on the wall. “He seems a paragon of progressive thinking.”
“While you’re looking for someone whose past contains some unpleasant little secrets that might relate to our investigation,” responded the dowager.
“And that’s why I sought you out. I suddenly remembered some rumors regarding the youngest son of Sir Joseph Alston.
He left Oxford abruptly to take a position in the East India Company’s civil service .
. . a post in one of the regional headquarters, if memory serves me right.
That was perhaps twenty years ago, and he apparently served there without incident until four or five years ago.
The details never came out at the time, but the gossip in the drawing rooms implied that he was forced out because of financial improprieties. ”
Charlotte tried to recollect any recent scandal involving the name Alston. She caught the earl’s inquiring look and shook her head. “Nothing concerning the family comes to mind. But given the youngest son’s past, we have to consider him a suspect.”
Alison looked pleased.
“Do you perchance know his given name?” Charlotte pressed.
The dowager’s brow furrowed. “Frederick . . . no, Fenwick! Fenwick Alston. However, I’ve heard no mention of him since the incident in India.”
“Sheffield may be able to dig up some information on him and his current whereabouts in the gambling hells of Southwark and Seven Dials,” murmured Wrexford. “Knaves and scoundrels have a sixth sense for knowing all the fiddle-faddles of their fellow sinners.”
“Well, that’s all I have to offer for the moment,” said Alison.
“I shall keep digging in the nether regions of my memory for any other buried scandals. And I’ll also make some discreet inquiries about Copley and the other directors.
” Waving off any assistance, the dowager rose.
“Now, I shall toddle off for my nap and leave you to your plotting—though I must say, sleuthing is an even better tonic for these old bones than sleep.”
* * *
The cane’s tap-tap faded into the twitter of birdsong and the sound of the breeze ruffling through the ivy. Wrexford watched the sunlight skitter over the dark-hued leaves. A glimmer of hope? Or merely taunting flickers? As of yet, they were still grasping at specters.
“I’ll seek out another meeting with Annie Wright as soon as we return to London.” Charlotte’s voice drew him back from his brooding. “And see what I can learn from my informants around the docks about any suspicious activity within the East India Company wharves.”
He shook off his pessimism. “As I said, it’s time to confront David Mather. And I’ll now need to speak with Sir Joseph Alston, as well as Copley.”
“I was also thinking of Jeremy,” offered Charlotte.
“He’s become very involved in Mrs. Ashmun’s mills and has been investing in their expansion, so he knows a good deal about the world of commerce.
He may have some ideas on how to find the evidence we need .
. .” Her words trailed off. Squinting into the sun, she raised a hand to shade her eyes.
“Is that a horse and rider coming up the drive?”
Wrexford shot to his feet for a better look. “It’s Tyler.” He waved his arms.
Spotting the signal, the valet swerved off the road and cantered over to join them. He had been riding hard. Dust coated his clothing, and sweat lathered his horse’s flanks.
“I managed to get what you asked for,” Tyler announced without preamble.
“Though I’m not sure whether you’re going to be pleased.
” He pulled an oilskin packet from his pocket and handed it to the earl.
“By the by, that cost me a very expensive meal. And Griffin will have your guts for garters if he doesn’t get it back by tomorrow. ”
As the earl plucked a knife from the folds, a mote of light danced down the steel blade.
“Griffin can’t say for sure that it’s the murder weapon,” began the valet. “What he does know is that it definitely belongs to Woodbridge.”
“Yes, Woodbridge is here and has told us as much,” cut in Wrexford, “along with a good deal more.” He gave a terse explanation of the situation.
“Damnation. Then you’re not going to be happy with the other bit of news I’ve learned,” replied Tyler. “Mather appears to have left Town. Word is, he’s taken a leave of absence from the bank to make a trip to Ireland with some friends.”
“Damnation, the banker looks blacker by the moment.” Wrexford kicked himself for not having sought out the fellow sooner.
“Go on to the stables and have your horse rubbed down. Then have McClellan fix you a hot meal.” He rewrapped the knife.
“And tell Jenkins to have my stallion saddled. I mean to leave for London within the hour.”
Tyler removed his hat and slapped the dust from the crown before settling it back on his head. “If you’re hell-bent on returning to Town this afternoon, I’ll come with you.”
“I’d rather you stay and accompany the rest of our party tomorrow.”
The valet stiffened. “Has there been trouble?”
“Not as of yet.” Wrexford’s expression turned grim. “But we’re about to poke a stick into a nest of very dangerous vipers within the East India Company. Until we’ve pulled their fangs, we need to be on guard.”
Charlotte touched his sleeve. “You’ve seen that I can ride well enough not to slow you down. Allow me to come with you. I, too, ought to begin my inquiries as quickly as possible.”
“I don’t doubt your fortitude. But it’s been years since you’ve been in the saddle, and you’re experienced enough in equestrian matters to know that after such an ordeal, you wouldn’t be able to walk for the next week.”
When she made no retort, Wrexford added, “An even more pressing practicality is the damage it would do to your reputation. As Lady Charlotte Sloane . . .”
“Yes, yes,” she snapped. “Of course, you’re right to remind me that my life has changed.” A sigh. “And not all of it has been for the better.”
“It’s a matter of compromise,” he murmured. “You’ve gained advantages, as well as given them up.”
“That’s true,” she conceded. “I’m being churlish.”
“And besides, I would feel more at ease if you travel with the others and help Tyler keep an eye on things.” He touched her hand, a fleeting caress that lasted only an instant, but the warmth seemed to linger on his fingertips.
“Just promise me you won’t do something appallingly brave and try to beat the devil on your own. ”
“Even I’m not that appallingly foolish,” she replied with a twitch of her lips. “I’m well aware that the dastards we face likely wield more influence and power than any of the villains we’ve faced in the past.”
And yet the steely glint in her eyes gave her words a suspiciously hollow ring.