“It’s all right, Samuel. I’m fine. Really.” She managed a reassuring smile in his direction.
“If ye say so, Mum. I do hope you’ll let me know if you start to feel poorly.” Samuel gave her a sideways glance, his long stride shortened to keep pace with hers.
“Yes, of course. We’re nearly there now at any rate, and can head straight back home afterwards.” Though it felt wonderful to get out of the house on such a splendid day, she was starting to feel a bit fatigued and would be happy to get back without a long visit.
Located in an elegant and desirable neighborhood, Lady Johnston’s house was one of the nicest in the area, and spoke of great wealth and status. Sighing, Phoebe hoped Lady Johnston would be otherwise occupied, as the thought of having to spend the next few hours in civil niceties and idle gossip would be enough to send her back to bed, ill. She had never had much patience for such things, and she did not doubt her name and recent actions had made their way into more than one conversation.
Steeling herself for the possibility of a tiresome afternoon, she climbed the stairs and lifted the heavy brass knocker, letting it fall with a reverberating clack. The footman answered the door and she asked if it would be possible to call upon Lady Johnston.
“I’m afraid Lady Johnston is still at luncheon with her two brothers, however I am expecting her shortly if you would like to wait.”
Phoebe smiled, a wave of relief easing her spirits. “No, no. Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. If you could please see she gets this?” Pulling the letter and a calling card from her reticule, Phoebe handed them to the footman.
“Yes. Of course. Good day.”
Phoebe walked down the stairs to where Samuel was waiting for her. “Shall we head home?”
“As ye wish, Mum.” They had only gone a few houses down the road when a horse and carriage clattered down the street.
“Is that the Lady, Mum?” Samuel asked, craning his neck to get a look at who was inside.
“To be honest, I’ve never met her, though I can only assume it is she returning from her luncheon.” She turned and looked over her shoulder, only to get a shock at the sight of Lady Johnston and her dear brothers exiting the carriage— one of the men none other than Victor.
***
Phoebe rushed home, fighting to control the panic that surged through her body. She was certain it was not a simple coincidence that Sarah had once worked for Victor’s sister, or that her formula had been stolen from within her home. There were too many connections to Victor— his proposal, his assault, the accusations and now a connection to the theft. Was he also connected to Niles? It would not surprise her since it was Niles that had her formulations on the module.
She immediately contacted William, who promptly arrived at her home with a constable. Poor Sarah looked terrified upon seeing the inspector, the color draining from her face as she was confronted.
“I’m so sorry, Mum,” she said to Phoebe with downcast eyes. “I had not a choice. I hope you’ll someday forgive me.”
William’s face bore little expression, but his tone was consoling as the constable led the girl from the room. “We will take her to the station for questioning.”
Phoebe nodded. It nearly killed her to see her maid in the constable’s grasp, and Sarah’s plea tore at her heart.
“Unless she acted alone, which I doubt is the case, I do not want to press charges, though I’m afraid she will not be able to return here,” she said to William.
Phoebe was convinced Victor had threatened or coerced her into taking part in the theft. But why? It was a sad situation, and Phoebe knew all too well that desperate people did desperate things, things they would not normally do if poverty had not forced their hand.
“I’ll have Samuel gather her things for her. When you’ve finished with your questioning, could you please tell her she can find employment at my shelter? And could you also give her this?” Phoebe pulled a coin out of the pocket of her skirt. It was not much, but she could not push the girl into the cold with nothing.
William nodded, taking the coin. “As you wish.”
Once they had left, Phoebe settled before the fire, feeling incredibly drained. Her heart was still pounding from the shock of it all, her mind racing through the possibilities. What could Victor want with her formulations? Had his entire courtship been a ruse to get information?
Seth and Gavin walked in just then, and it took but a moment for them to notice her distress. Seth was at her side in three long steps. “Phoebe, are you all right? What’s happened?” He knelt before her, looking up into her face, his eyes lined with worry.
“I’m all right, love.” She dreaded having to tell Seth that Victor could be involved in the thefts. “Perhaps a whisky?”
Gavin nodded. “I’ll get it.” Trying to avoid Seth’s eyes, she watched as Gavin poured her a glass. “Here ye are, love.”
She thanked him and took a sip, nursing the drink. She knew they’d want to retaliate against Victor, but they’d cause nothing but more problems if they attacked him again. However, she could not keep Victor’s involvement a secret.
“Truly, I’m fine. Please, have a seat.” She gave his hand a squeeze to reassure him. He took a seat by her side on the sofa, Gavin taking the chair. “It’s about the formulas. I’m afraid my maid may have been involved.”
Seth’s forehead furrowed in question. “You found proof of her involvement?”
She sighed, her hands worrying the fabric of her skirt. “I believe so. William and a constable already took Sarah away for questioning.”
“Do not fret, love. If she’s innocent, they’ll release her. The inspector is an honest man,” Gavin said.
Phoebe took a deep breath. “There is more to tell. I checked the maids’ references. One of them—a Lady Johnston—lives quite nearby. Since it was such a nice day, I walked to her residence with Samuel.”
“Did the lady confirm your suspicions?”
Phoebe shook her head. “She had been at luncheon with her brother and was not home, so I left a letter with her footman.” She looked from Seth to Gavin, the words sticking in her throat. “Just as we were leaving, a carriage pulled up and it was indeed Lady Johnston and her brother.”
“You did speak to her, then?” The crease in Seth’s brow grew deeper by the moment.
“No, my love. You see, her brother…” She shook her head, resigned. “It was Victor.”
“Victor.” Seth cursed. “Why does that not surprise me in the least?” He got up to pace the room, his anger pouring off of him.
“It still doesn’t explain why Niles would have the formulas unless they were working together,” she said.
“I know you liked Niles, what with him being a good friend of your brother’s, but the formulas were in his possession and now there’s a possible connection to Victor.”
A silence fell amongst them, the only sound coming from the crackle of the fire as the logs broke apart and settled, sending sparks dancing. Seth stared at the flames for a long time before continuing. “I had thought Victor’s interest in you to be one based purely on who you are—for who could want anything more—but it’s now clear the bastard’s interests extend to the other things you have to offer. It makes me wonder just how far he’ll go to get what he wants.”
Gavin’s gaze held hers, though when he spoke, it was to Seth. “Dinna fash, mo charaid. He’ll be bothering no one by the time I’m done with him.”
Phoebe slammed her hand on the nearby table. “Don’t you dare! I swear I’ll never speak to you again. And the same goes for you.” She shifted her gaze to Seth, pinning him with a stare. “Have we not had enough difficulties?”
Seth’s lips curled into a sweet and innocent smile. “Och, love, ye act as if I’ve not already learned my lesson.”
“Hmph! I certainly hope so.”
Chapter Forty Nine
William sat across from Chief Inspector Murdock, trying to control the urge to reach across the desk and throt
tle the man into unconsciousness.
Murdock ranted and raved, his face a mottled red. “Lord Fenwick is absolutely furious with your heedless accusations. You’re no longer in charge of this case, and after all you’ve done to disgrace the department, you’re lucky that I’m allowing you to retain your position as Inspector. Inspector Adrian Nelson will be lead investigator on the case from here on out. You’re to turn over to him any information you have. Let me make myself clear: you are to do as Nelson says regarding the matter, and you will stay away from Lord Fenwick or I will have the great satisfaction of relieving you of your duties.”
William had no doubt Murdock would enjoy it with every fiber of his being. Ever since he’d been promoted to inspector, they’d been butting heads like two bulls in one very small pen.
“The maid all but confessed that it was Lord Fenwick that put her up to stealing the formulations for Viridis. The evidence clearly points to his involvement in the theft, if not the murder. Not to mention the assault on Lady Hughes.”
Murdock sputtered with rage. “You’re going to condemn a member of the nobility on the word of a maid and that scandalous woman? If he’s guilty, then Nelson will see to it. Now, get out! And if I hear you’re still harassing Lord Fenwick, I’ll make it so you never work in this city again.”
There was little William could do but hand over the case. Still, he knew Nelson was a smart and honest man, and had to trust that the truth would eventually be revealed.
He spent the next hour copying everything he had on the case, including the latest development with Lord Fenwick’s connection to Phoebe’s maid. He knew that if Murdock discovered what he was doing the consequences would be great, but there was something about this case he could not let go. However, when he arrived at Nelson’s office, he found it empty.
“Is Inspector Nelson in?” William asked the constable lingering outside of Nelson’s empty office.
“I’m afraid not. Gone to make an arrest on a new case of his, and don’t know when he’ll be back. Nasty business, it is.”
William got a sinking feeling. “Is it, then?”
The constable leaned in conspiratorially. “Member of the nobility was nearly knifed outside his gentlemen’s club a few nights back. Just going to make the arrest now.” He shook his head, making sounds of disapproval. “’Tis just horrid what the world is coming to.”
William’s head started to swim, and though he knew the answer, he still needed to ask. “Who was the man attacked?”
“That would be Lord Victor Fenwick, sir.”
William shook his head, not quite believing it. “I thought the man in question was released. What’s happened?”
“I guess the judge had been lenient, but his lordship wasn’t terribly happy and a man that powerful don’t like to be denied.” The constable shrugged his shoulders. “Is there anything you’d like me to relay to the inspector when he gets in?”
William cursed under his breath. “No, no. We’re working a case together and I wanted to leave him my notes. I’ll just put them in his office.”
He left the pages on Nelson’s desk and sent up a silent prayer to what gods may be listening. With luck Nelson would not easily be persuaded to overlook the facts simply because the nobility were involved.
He would already be too late to give Seth and Phoebe any type of warning so as to prepare themselves, and if Nelson had the previous arrest file, he would not only have Seth’s home address, but Phoebe’s as well.
William hung his head and headed down the hallway, his stride widened by his anger and frustration with the matter. Turning the corner, he ran headfirst into another man.
William looked up at the man he’d run into and mumbled his apologies. And in that instant, William’s luck changed.
“Pardon me, sir.” The man he’d been looking for was standing before him, and there could be no doubt: thick glasses, thinning hair and a red mark on his neck the color of burgundy wine. Seizing the opportunity, William said, “Can I help you? You seem a little lost.”
“Yes. Thank you. I have only been here once before and I always seem to get lost. I have a letter I need to deliver to Chief Inspector Murdock.”
“I’m afraid he has likely gone home for the evening. If this is pertaining to a certain case, perhaps I can help— I’m an inspector here. It would seem rather important if your employer has you running errands so late in the day.”
The man looked relieved. “I cannot thank you enough. With the weather so cold, it was terribly difficult finding an available hansom, and I risk losing my position if I do not get the matter taken care.”
“My office is just around the corner. Come with me, Mr.—I’m sorry. What is your name, sir?”
The man extended a hand. “Brown. Xavier Brown.”
William sat at his desk looking at Xavier Brown. One thing was clear— the nervous man sitting in front of him was not SS. Even more clear was Murdock would have William’s job and hide if he found out about this. The only thing that would save him would be to get Mr. Brown to confess to his part in the murder.
“How may I be of assistance?” William gave the man what he hoped was a reassuring smile while glancing at the door to make sure Murdock was nowhere to be seen. Brown fidgeted with the handle of his case, his face going white, then blushing a brilliant red, then back to white again.
“I have a letter that needed to go to Chief Inspector Murdock regarding a case he is working on.”
“On behalf of your employer, correct?” William waited for the confirmation. “Is it something that can wait until the morning or should it be seen to immediately?”
“I could not say for sure what is in the letter, but know the information was needed regarding an arrest that was imminent.” Brown handed him the letter. “I do not know if it is a matter that can wait until the morning, but I am glad to be rid of it.”
William tapped the letter on his desk, his eyes locked on Brown. He knew the longer he drew this out, the more nervous Brown would likely get. And the more nervous he got, the more likely he’d be to make a mistake.
“Tell me, Mr. Brown. Are you perhaps familiar with Lord Niles Hawthorne?” William’s arrow hit its mark, as Brown flushed and stuttered.
“Y-yes. I knew the man.” He stopped fidgeting with the handle of his case and gripped it with white knuckles instead, as if for support.
“A personal friend of yours? I do believe you were seen with Lord Hawthorne on several occasions, including the night of his murder.” William smiled at the man, disconcerting him further.
“Lord Hawthorne was not a personal friend, and on the occasions I was seen with him, I was conducting business for my employer.” Brown managed a deep breath mustering a bit of confidence with this little bit of information, though the words were now tumbling out. “I assure you, I had nothing to do with his murder.”
Lazily swiveling his chair back and forth, William said, “Who would your employer be, sir? And was murder part of the business conducted?”
The last question had exactly the effect William was looking for. “Indeed it was not!” spat Brown. “I was only there as a representative of Lord Fenwick, completing their business transactions. Nothing more, I assure you!”
“Would this by chance have to do with the theft of Lady Hughes’ formula for Viridis?”
“Oh, dear! I swear I had nothing to do with that.”
Giving him a reassuring smile, William said, “I do believe you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of a predicament here. Perhaps we can come to some arrangement that will suit us both.”
Chapter Fifty
“Poor Martha. She’s in a right state with Sarah leaving.” Phoebe snuggled up against Seth as they sat by the fire, trying to get warm. She felt chilled and hoped it wasn’t her fever returning.
“Come here, love.” Seth pulled her close so she could rest her head on his shoulder. “You’ve had a rough few days of it. Why don’t you head up to bed and we’ll bring you up a bite to eat? I
’m sure Gavin and I can manage something without bothering Martha.”
She pulled away to get a better look at him. “Do you mean to tell me the two of you are actually going to attempt to cook?” Her gaze shifted between Seth and Gavin. The two boys were as smart as they came, but cooking was an art and not something easily managed.
“We’ve managed to keep ourselves from starving all these years,” Gavin protested.
Phoebe laughed at his comment. “Gavin, dear, the only reason you’ve managed to not starve is because you know of every tavern and pub between London and Inverness. Though, I do imagine the two of you could probably manage to slice a bit of bread and cheese without cutting off a finger.”
Seth pulled her back to him, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Perhaps even a cup of tea.”
Gavin stood. “You two stay put, and I’ll get us all a bite to eat. Prepare to be amazed.” He gave them a wink.
Phoebe sat up. “This I have to see, seeing as I’m sure it’ll provide sufficient entertainment to lighten my mood.”
Shaking his head, Gavin said, “Ye of little faith. Come along then.”
It turned out, Gavin was quite competent in the kitchen, once Phoebe was able to send Martha off for the night. Seth, scowled, teasing his friend. “Another one of your talents, I suppose.”
“Ye’ve met me ma, and ye ken as well as I that she wouldna be raising any lay-abouts. Here ye are, me dear.” Gavin placed a plate of steaming food in front of Phoebe, then turned back to plate Seth’s and his own. They had decided to not bother with the formalities of taking their dinner in the dining room and were, instead, seated around the worn wooden table in the kitchen.
“Thank you. It smells divine.” He’d taken some roasted potatoes from the frost box, mashed them with some onion, crunchy bacon and cabbage, and shaped them into patties, which he fried in the bacon grease to a golden brown. Served alongside were links of sausage, cooked in oil until the casings were crispy. Tasting it, she suddenly realized exactly how hungry she was. “This is delicious, Gavin.”
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