Secrets of a Fair Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Abigail Agar

  Investigation never concluded. Foul play highly probable.

  Hamish’s jaw dropped open. He had not expected this. But this was exactly the sort of thing that could lead to a murder. Exactly the sort of information that could get someone sent away.

  He needed to get John and they needed to go.

  Hamish rushed from where he had been sitting and headed for the door.

  “Where are you going?” the unpleasant man asked, stopping him.

  “I found what I needed for my case. I must go and speak with my Sergeant,” he said.

  “Not with that, you are not,” the man said.

  Hamish looked down to his arms and realised that he was still carrying the book of records.

  “Oh, of course. Here you are,” he said, handing the book over.

  “You are risking the possibility of being banished,” the man said again.

  “No, I do not believe I am. As it is, I am going now. Thank you for your assistance,” Hamish said.

  The man appeared as though he wanted to pick a fight with Hamish, but he was not going to be stuck there.

  Instead, Hamish rushed back to the precinct and found John seated in a comfortable chair, sipping tea with some of the constables.

  “Is this what happens in my absence?” Hamish asked.

  “Inspector! Good to see you. As it happens, we had a tremendous arrest this morning. You heard about the robberies that were taking place at the theatre? It was believed that it could be a member of high society or even an employee of the theatre itself?” John asked, reminding him.

  “Yes, of course, I remember,” he said.

  “Well, we were right. In the first theory. It was Miss Eaton, a young woman who has been trying to make a name for herself among society. Believing that she needed to have more beautiful jewels upon her neck in order to ensnare a handsome husband, she was stealing from all of the titled women who had snubbed her,” John explained.

  It was sad, but at least they had a suspect in their care. Hamish didn’t like to think of Miss Eaton, whomever she was, being truly upset to the point that she would steal.

  But he also didn’t like to think of those women of society getting their way by watching her punished for that theft.

  In truth, Hamish had grown a rather unpleasant taste for society.

  But not for the young women who longed to touch it.

  “Anyway, what are you doing back here? You were so preoccupied this morning, no one knew where you had gone off to,” John said.

  “Oh, right. I actually need to speak with you about that,” Hamish told John.

  “Certainly. We may speak wherever you would like,” he said.

  “Thank you. Let us go into my office. It is rather urgent,” he said.

  They went inside and he had John sit, although Hamish was too eager to sit and he stood, ready to explain everything to John.

  “What is it?” John asked.

  “It is exactly what we have been looking for,” Hamish said. “A reason for which Miss Smithfield was sent away.

  “Oh? What happened?” John asked.

  “It is all very intriguing. You see, I finally found the family to whom the crest belonged. When I searched for those among the family, I found that the last known relative of the Clydemoor family was Mr. Virgil Clydemoor,” Hamish began.

  “And was he a very important man?” John asked.

  “I still do not know that. I know very little about the man himself. But what I did learn was that this man—this man whose ring was in the possession of our Mr. William Reid—died under suspicious circumstances,” Hamish said.

  John looked frighteningly intrigued and Hamish very nearly began to laugh.

  “You ought to at least try to hide your enthusiasm for murder,” he said.

  “Forgive me. This is just so interesting,” John said.

  “Indeed, it is. Because, although it was made to look like a drunken drowning, I do suspect that Mr. Reid had something to do with the death and he then took the ring. Perhaps he wanted something to remember the kill by. Or…or maybe he wanted the ring in the first place and killing the man was only in an effort to take it from him,” Hamish suggested.

  “That would tie up so many of our questions. Do you think it is possible? Could that be it?” John asked.

  “I think it is the most likely answer. Would you care to join me? We must get to the estate at once in order to question him,” Hamish said.

  “Certainly. I am ready,” John replied.

  From there, they departed, more than ready to see whether or not the theory was true.

  Chapter 35

  It was done. She had accepted her feelings for Inspector Brock.

  Georgiana just wanted to see him again. She wanted to go to him, to let him know that she had received the letter and to apologize for her part in everything that had gone wrong.

  It was time that she take responsibility, that she be strong and brave and confess that she had made some terrible mistakes as well.

  It was not going to be easy. She had done so much to cause damage between herself and the Inspector, but Georgiana was ready.

  She dressed herself as nicely as she possibly could, trying to be at her most beautiful.

  In a dress that her mother had always told her was quite flattering, Georgiana took a final spin in the looking glass, ensuring that it still rested upon each curve as it ought to. The colour, a soft lilac, accentuated the tone of her skin.

  Her hair was pinned up, neatly, with little pearls stuck throughout and a pearl-dotted, tortoiseshell comb stuck in it.

  Perhaps it was that frivolous nature coming to show itself again, but she didn’t know what else to do. It wasn’t as though she was going to be seen by him looking unattractive. What she wanted was to look gorgeous while she asked for his forgiveness, while she offered the apology that she needed to.

  “And where are you going?” William asked as she made for the door. His tone was one of unrest and displeasure.

  “I beg your pardon? Am I not allowed to leave home without your permission?” she asked, annoyed.

  “I did not say that, but now that you ask it, I do wonder. It might be better if Mother and Father send someone such as myself after you rather than a maid for a chaperone. After all, those maids are hardly doing their duty,” he said.

  Georgiana rolled her eyes at her brother.

  The last thing she needed was William intervening. He was only going to try and make things more difficult for her. Georgiana was afraid that he might even tell someone. If he had anything to do with all of this, as she suspected, she would be humiliating herself. She would be giving him every reason and every opportunity to prevent her from doing what she wanted.

  “Come now, tell me. Where are you going? Why are you trying to sneak out like this?” he asked.

  “I am not sneaking anywhere. I do not know what you are speaking of. I am simply going for a walk on the grounds and then to go and visit the mother of the Baron of Ayre,” Georgiana said, holding to the excuse and reason that she had come up with to tell her mother.

  She knew that pride would prevent her mother from asking the Baron’s mother about it. After all, surely a Dowager such as his mother would be the one to bring it up by complimenting Georgiana.

  It was the perfect excuse and one that she felt she would never be caught by.

  Until now.

  “Am I really meant to believe that? You and I both know well that you are not going to see her. I am no fool, Georgiana. Perhaps you may fool Mother or Father with that, but that is only because they think you are a better girl than you are. They do not know that you can be deceptive,” he said.

  “Deceptive? Why would you make such an accusation? What have I done to cause this? I did nothing wrong. I am simply wanting to go and speak with her, to try and determine whether or not I really want to give her son another chance,” Georgiana said.

  “Stop lying. Stop lying to me and stop lying to our parents. I know
what you have been doing,” he said, gritting his teeth.

  There was a menacing look in his eyes, something filled with anger. She sensed that he would snap and bite if he had to, that her brother was ready to run to their mother and father and tell them everything he knew.

  And what did he know, exactly?

  Georgiana ran through all of her activities of late in her mind.

  Did William know about her running into town, asking the maid to keep everything a secret for her? Did he know that she was seeing Inspector Brock, often, to remain aware of his investigation?

  Was he aware that Rachel had, indeed, been found? Had it been William who had left her that note, threatening her?

  If so, if he was aware of all of those things, it was not him telling her mother and father that Georgiana was afraid of. She was afraid that he would, indeed, harm Rachel. That he might even be willing to harm Georgiana, herself.

  “What do you think I have been doing? I cannot imagine what you think of me to accuse me of these things,” she said.

  “I know that you have been sneaking off, playing detective. You think you can hide that? Do not pretend otherwise. I am wise to your antics,” he said.

  She fiddled with her hands, feeling anxious. Why was he observing her so closely? Why had he noticed her at all?

  Georgiana was continuing to grow suspicious of her brother. If he had nothing to hide, why was he worried about her activities?

  Although she did not want to suspect him of anything, she couldn’t help it.

  Having seen him with that strange man, Georgiana wondered if there was something she didn’t know. Surely there had to be. That man was involved in something. Who was he? Is it possible that Rachel knew about it? Was it possible that Rachel had been aware of some strange dealings between the two men? That was silly. If Rachel had known anything, she would have understood that it was important to this case. She would have told inspector Brock, and possibly even Georgiana as well.

  No, whatever it was that was going on, she still didn’t know.

  “You are wrong,” she told William, hearing the weakness in her voice.

  Her brother sneered at her.

  “Wrong? Really? Is that the best retort you have? We both know that I am not wrong. You are doing terrible things and you are getting yourself mixed up in all manner of indecency. Mother and Father will figure that out. They are going to be so terribly disappointed in you when they do,” he said.

  “I have done nothing wrong,” she repeated, realising that she sounded more and more foolish, every time she said it.

  “Whatever you say, Georgiana. But, be warned. Eventually, I will not be patient with you. Eventually, I will be certain that Mother and Father know what you have been doing,” he said.

  With that, William made his way out of the hall and towards his room.

  Georgiana went on her way, with a sigh and a heart full of dread, to tell her mother that she was going to pay a visit.

  “Mother, I am going out. I shall have Mrs. Buckley join me,” she said, rushing past in the hopes that her mother would not stop her.

  “Out? Out where? You have not told me of any calls you wished to pay today. Where are you going?” her mother asked.

  “I thought I ought to speak with the Baron’s mother. I believe that she will give me some clarity on her son. You know what I mean. What sort of man he is and how he treats her, how well they get along. All of that,” she said.

  “Oh? You are going to see her? Today? I thought we might see her together at some point. Perhaps, with her son, of course. Why are you going today?” her mother asked, looking worried.

  “I wished to see her before I make any further decisions regarding the courtship. Why? Has something happened?” Georgiana asked, holding firmly to her lies and hoping that no one else would expose her.

  “No, it is just that…I think I should go with you. I know that you are hesitant about your feelings towards her son and I do not want you to say something to which she may take offense,” her mother said.

  “I will not say anything wrong, Mother. I am going in order to make things well between us. I want to know if her son is a better man that I have given him credit for, but I would never say as much. I promise to flatter them both, as I know I must,” she lied.

  “I still think that I ought to go with you. Just this once,” her mother said, standing.

  “No!” Georgiana said in far too great a rush.

  Her mother looked at her with narrowed eyes. She placed her hands on her hips and stared down at Georgiana.

  “Georgiana, what is going on with you?” she asked.

  “N-nothing,” she replied.

  “Then why is it that you do not wish for me to pay this visit alongside you?” she asked, further.

  “It is as I said, Mother. I mean, I would like to make a good impression. Would she be impressed if I require the presence of my own mother to ensure that I do not say the wrong thing?” she asked.

  Georgiana’s stomach began to roil with nerves. Her mother was looking at her as though she didn’t believe a word of it.

  When did she become so suspicious? And why was she so smart about it?

  “I do not believe a word of what you are saying, my dear. I do not know what you truly intend, but I can see in your eyes that it has nothing to do with the mother of the Baron of Ayre,” she said.

  “Why would you say that, Mother? Why would you accuse me of dishonesty? Am I prone to lying?” Georgiana asked.

  “Until recently, I believed wholeheartedly in your character and your judgment. But, as it is, I no longer feel that I can trust those things. You must understand why. It is not my choice, but your own that has led to my lack of trust in you,” her mother said.

  Her words wounded Georgiana, but she understood them.

  Although she knew that her mother was referring to her feelings for Inspector Brock, she was still irritated. She had always been honest in the past. She might have thought that her mother would trust her now, even if she was lying in a way that she never had previously.

  “Anyway, I am not going to allow you to leave,” her mother said.

  “What?” she asked, surprised.

  It wasn’t fair. Georgiana wouldn’t stand for it. If she needed to go and see Inspector Brock and this was in her way.

  If her mother wouldn’t let her go, she might not have an opportunity to tell him how she felt.

  She needed to apologize. Without apologizing for everything that happened, she was going to remain lost to him.

  “Mother, please. I would really like to go out and…she is expecting me. I need to speak with the Baron’s mother,” Georgiana said, trying to find that lie again in the hopes that it would cause her mother to cave to her wishes.

  “I will not allow you to go out gallivanting around the city when you will not tell me the honest truth as to where you are going. You must return to your room until a time when you are willing to be honest with me,” her mother said.