Chapter Thirty-six
Thirty-six
You may be right about Lady Penhurst,” Cornelius said.
He propped his legs on a hassock and toyed with his unlit pipe.
“But she has vanished. I sent young Draper, my secretary, around to her address this morning after you told me what had transpired at Hawthorne Hall. Lord Penhurst has no idea where his wife is at the moment. The household staff seems to believe that she is on a trip to Scotland.”
Amity looked at Benedict, who was sprawled in a chair near the window. He raised his brows.
“There appears to be a lot of people traveling to Scotland this summer,” he said.
“Yes, indeed.” Amity drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair. “First you were told that Virgil Warwick was on his way to a hunting lodge there and now we learn that his sister may be headed to the same destination.”
“And we mustn’t forget that Dr. Norcott possessed a train ticket to Scotland,” Benedict said. “Although in his case it was the truth. Evidently he actually did plan to seek safety there.”
“Yes,” Amity said.
She had been quite pleased when Benedict had suggested that she accompany him to the home of his uncle. It was an indication that not only did he trust her—she knew that much already—but he had come to consider her an equal partner in the case.
For his part, Cornelius Stanbridge appeared much improved. He still wore a small bandage, but he insisted that he had recovered from the blow to his head.
Benedict got to his feet. Amity watched him walk to the window. She could sense the restless energy driving him.
“I very much doubt that either Warwick or Leona is in Scotland,” he said.
Cornelius grunted. “I have asked young Draper to look into Lady Penhurst’s past.”
Benedict’s jaw flexed. “Leona is Virgil Warwick’s sister and she is in the pay of the Russians. It is the only answer that explains the twists and turns in this case.”
“I believe you are correct.” Cornelius tapped the stem of his pipe against the arm of his chair.
“As the wife of Lord Penhurst, she is certainly in an excellent position to play the part of an espionage agent. Penhurst may be going senile but he is still extremely well connected. He knows everyone and, at least until quite recently, he enjoyed the trust of a number of high-ranking men in government. There is no telling how many secrets he has been privy to over the years.”
“And no telling how many he has unwittingly divulged to Lady Penhurst,” Amity said.
“Indeed.” Cornelius squinted a little. “I think you both should take a look at the note that I received shortly before you arrived here today. I was about to ask you to call on me when I discovered you on my doorstep.”
Benedict turned around, eyes darkening with understanding. “You heard from the thief?”
“Yes,” Cornelius said. “And the timing of the note suggests that the thief is aware that you and Miss Doncaster survived the explosion at Hawthorne Hall. It arrived after you returned to London unharmed. However, it appears the spy is now extremely anxious to complete the transaction.” Cornelius gestured with the pipe stem.
“Go on, take a look and see for yourselves. I’d like your opinions.
The price for the return of the notebook is rather interesting. ”
Amity jumped to her feet and hurried toward the desk. Benedict took two long strides from the window and joined her.
He read the message aloud, his voice increasingly dark with each word.
The transaction will occur tomorrow evening at the Ottershaw ball. Miss Doncaster will bring the Rose Necklace as payment for the notebook. She will wear a black domino with the enclosed mask. She will be contacted at the ball and given final instructions for the exchange.
“Son of a bitch,” Benedict said. “There can be no doubt now. Leona sent this.”
“I’m inclined to agree,” Cornelius said. “I cannot imagine anyone else insisting on a specific necklace as payment for the notebook.”
Amity looked at him, bewildered. “But this makes no sense. She must realize that demanding the Stanbridge family necklace is a very risky venture. It is bound to bring suspicion down on her head. Too many people know that she was offended when Benedict did not ask her to marry him.”
“I think that Lady Penhurst has allowed her desire for revenge to overcome her common sense,” Cornelius said.
“I wonder if the Russians have begun to realize that their agent has allowed her personal desire for vengeance to override common sense,” Benedict said.
Amity smoothed the letter with one hand. “Charlotte Warwick told us that Mrs. Dunning claimed to have observed evidence of mental instability in Virgil’s sister. Perhaps our engagement has completely unhinged her.”
Benedict started to pace the study. “So it seems.”
Amity looked at Cornelius. “Where is the mask?”
Cornelius pointed the pipe stem at a box on the desk. “In there.”
Amity lifted the lid and set it aside. She studied the beautiful mask. It was elegantly made and lavishly trimmed with feathers and small glass jewels that caught the light. It was designed to conceal the upper portion of the face. And it was crimson red.
“Not very subtle, is she?” Amity said. “She wants me to go as a Scarlet Woman.”
Benedict stopped his pacing and gave the mask a hard look. “You aren’t going to that damned ball.”
Amity noticed that Cornelius did not attempt to interfere. Instead, he waited to see how she would respond.
“Of course I am going to the ball,” she said. “Leona will know if you try to bring another woman in my place. Not that I would allow you to take any other female.”
“If she wants to make the trade she can damn well make it on our terms,” Benedict said.
Cornelius coughed a little. “We need to unmask Lady Penhurst. Literally, it appears.”
“Your uncle is right,” Amity said. “We must catch her. This is our best chance to expose her as a spy.”
Cornelius grunted. “Miss Doncaster is correct in terms of strategy. As I have mentioned, in this sort of ransom situation, the moment of the exchange is the time when the thief is most vulnerable.”
“I realize that the necklace is probably quite valuable and that it has great meaning and significance to your family, Benedict,” Amity began. “But if we are careful we can protect it.”
“I don’t give a damn about the necklace.” Benedict’s eyes tightened at the corners. “That mask is an insult to you.”
“Only if I choose to take it that way,” Amity said. “I prefer to see it as part of the costume that I will wear in a play. Really, sir, there is no need for agitation and anxiety. What can possibly go wrong in the middle of a crowded ballroom?”
“Let me count the ways,” Benedict said.
“Benedict, surely you can see this is our best chance, not only to catch Lady Penhurst but to find out where her brother is hiding. If anyone can lead us to Virgil Warwick, it is most likely his sister.”
Benedict looked grim.
“We need a plan,” he said at last.
Amity smiled. “Well, then, come up with one.”
Cornelius snorted. “She’s right, Ben. You’re the one who has a talent for planning for various and assorted disasters.”