The Tavistock Plot

by Tracy Grant

  "Worried," David said. "They're in Berkeley Square. We told them you'd had to go answer some questions. Teddy asked me if you'd been arrested, when George and Amy and Jamie couldn't hear. I admitted you had."

  "Good for you," Simon said. "Always best to tell them as much of the truth as possible."

  "I said it was a misunderstanding and we'd get you out soon. Which is also the truth."

  "It's certainly a misunderstanding," Simon said.

  "We'll get you a solicitor in the morning," David said. "Mélanie sent a hamper of food"—he gestured to the hamper Malcolm had placed on the one table in the cell—"and I've given the turnkey funds so you'll have more decent food. Assuming this goes on, which it shouldn't." He placed his hands on Simon's shoulders. "We're not sure yet where the accusation came from. My first instinct was to go to Carfax House and accuse Father, but St. Juste pointed out that if Father was behind it, that would only tip him off to our knowing." He cast a glance over his shoulder at Julien, who was tactfully hanging back beside Malcolm.

  "I'm not sure Carfax was behind it," Simon said. "He's gone a long time without trying to interfere between us. And it sounds as though he's resigned himself to St. Juste's taking over the title." He looked at Julien. "Arthur's taking over the title."

  "I don't think I'll ever be Arthur again," Julien said.

  "It wouldn't be the first time Father's seized on chance and improvised," David said. "And he's always found you a threat."

  "I can't believe he thinks me that much of a threat," Simon said.

  "He thought we were all a threat at Oxford." Malcolm took a step forwards. They had moved from intimacy to investigation.

  "You think he's behind this?" Simon asked.

  "I'm not sure. Someone obviously is pulling strings. Carfax is a likely suspect, but I agree this is an unusual time for him to attack you."

  "He's bided his time before." David dropped his hands from Simon's shoulders. He moved to the side to let Malcolm and Julien into the conversation, but remained close to Simon. "For all we know, his telling St. Juste he wants him to take over the earldom is a feint in some plot to get rid of St. Juste."

  "That's actually a good point," Julien said. "Don't think I haven't considered it. It's part of the reason Kitty and I got married tonight."

  "I'm sorry," Simon said. "Sorry to have ruined your celebration."

  "Don't be an idiot, Tanner. It's hardly your fault you were arrested, and it didn't ruin anything. And it was a practical ceremony, in any case."

  "I don't for a minute believe that last," Simon said.

  Julien gave a reluctant smile. "Well, perhaps not. I'll even go so far as to admit the evening meant a lot to me. And while I couldn't be sorrier for the way it ended, it doesn't lessen the rather unsettling amount of—er—joy"—he coughed—"it brought, in the least."

  "Bravo," Simon said.

  Julien's smile deepened slightly. "I'm learning."

  "Someone wants the papers you're trying to publish," Malcolm said.

  "You think the same person who was behind the attacks last night is behind this?" Simon said. "But locking me up doesn't get them the papers. It doesn't even stop publication. Hapgood started distributing the pamphlets this afternoon."

  "We still aren't sure what the point was of the attack last night either," Julien said. "Or if your arrest is connected."

  "My arrest may not be an attack on me at all," Simon said. "It may be an attempt to divert suspicion from whoever did kill Thornsby."

  "The League have tried to get to Carfax through you and David in the past," Malcolm said. "They had tried to blackmail Percy Shelley into getting Simon to write indiscreet details about his relationship with David."

  David swung his gaze to Malcolm. "But this plays into Father's hands."

  "Does it?" Malcolm said. "That depends on what your father wants, which is always difficult to tell with Carfax. If you defend Simon and that gets you in trouble, they could think that gives them a wedge against Carfax."

  "That seems roundabout, even for the League," David said. "But I agree, if either Father or the League are behind this, any predictable action we take potentially plays into their hands." He turned back to Simon. "If Father comes and tries to make you some sort of offer—"

  "My freedom in exchange for giving you up and disappearing into the wilds of Canada? Don't worry, I'll laugh in his face."

  "It's not funny, Simon."

  Simon reached for David's hand. "The idea that anyone thinks I'd even contemplate such an offer is distinctly funny."

  "It would be interesting, though," Malcolm said. "If anyone tries to use your imprisonment as leverage to get you to do anything, it might give us a clue into what's behind your arrest."

  "So I should play them along?"

  "You're an excellent actor. This might be a good time to put those skills to use."

  "I've always been fairly good at improvisation. In truth, I'd relish the chance to help."

  "Don't take unnecessary chances," David said.

  "The operative word being 'unnecessary,'" Simon said. "I think we're all going to have to take chances to resolve this."

  "We'll both disappear if we have to," David said. "It wouldn't be the first time we've broken someone out of prison."

  "It won't come to that," Simon said.

  "You can't know that," David said. "The thing is, we're prepared if it does."

  Simon put a hand on David's shoulder. "From one of the most law-abiding people I know, that's quite a statement of affection. And don't think I don't appreciate it. Are you going to stay in Berkeley Square tonight?"

  "I think it will be easier on the children. Mélanie said they'd try to settle them in the night nursery with the others, if she could."

  "If anyone outside of us can settle Jamie down, Mélanie and Kitty, not to mention Laura and O'Roarke and Addison and Blanca, may be able to do the trick."

  "You've never been away from Jamie overnight," David said.

  "No, I know," Simon said. "I've come back late, but I haven't gone without tucking him in or looking in on him. I hope he'll understand."

  "My dear fellow." David glanced at the door, then leaned in and kissed Simon. "When you're back home with us, they'll understand everything."

  Simon took a sip from the flask of coffee Mélanie had sent. She'd sent a bottle of wine too, but for the moment he needed his wits about him. And far too much tension was roiling through him for the bread, Stilton, apples, and other delicacies in her hamper to tempt him. He crossed from the table with the hamper to the narrow bed, mostly because it felt better to pace. Laura had gone through this, with more evidence against her, and without the confidence that the Rannochs, on whom she had been spying, would support her. She'd been missing Emily then too, with no assurance she'd ever see the daughter who'd been taken from her at birth. His case was not nearly so bad. He could get through this. There was no reason to want to claw at the walls of his cage. No reason for the gnawing fear that Carfax had perhaps at last won and he wouldn't see David and the children again.

  He clunked the flask down on the headboard and debated opening the wine—if nothing else, in hopes it would still the tumult raging through him.

  The key scraped in the lock. Simon spun towards the door, hoping to see David, braced for something more alarming. The door grated open. The turnkey stepped aside, and the man who entered the cell was not David, but David's father.

  Simon pushed himself away from the bed, grateful he had not touched the wine. "I've been expecting to see you, sir."

  "I didn't know you were here until just now, as it happens," Carfax said. "David didn't send word to me. Nor did Malcolm. Probably afraid of what I would do."

  "Does that surprise you?"

  "Very little surprises me. But no, there's a certain logic to their fear."

  Simon studied his lover's father, the man who had been the greatest threat to his relationship with David for over a decade. From the moment he and David had met. Th
e cell was lit only by a single lamp, leaving Carfax in shadow, as he so often was. "I don't suppose you know who is behind the accusations against me?"

  Carfax adjusted one of the earpieces on his spectacles. "I do, actually, but this isn't the place to talk of it. Better in Berkeley Square, for a number of reasons. Assuming you're willing to take me there with you. Assuming Malcolm lets me in the door."

  Simon stared at Carfax. It could be hard to keep up with him, but this was unusually fast. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm imprisoned."

  "You were imprisoned. You're free to go."

  Simon continued to watch Carfax. He'd have told one of his actors the pause dragged on too long for dramatic tension.

  "It's not a ploy." Carfax adjusted the other earpiece. "They have it on my authority that you're under my protection. You won't be disturbed again about this or about anything else, unless you take actions so extreme, I flatter myself even you wouldn't attempt them."

  Simon took a drink from the coffee flask, braced for what Carfax was going to ask of him next. "Good of you."

  "I'm not asking you to change, Tanner. I think Britain can survive you."

  Simon raised a brow. "I'm not sure whether to be flattered or insulted."

  Carfax gave a faint smile that flashed in the shadows. "I don't discount you, Tanner. But I think Britain's institutions can withstand you."

  "You're coming round to Malcolm's way of thinking."

  "Don't let him get a glimmering." Carfax crossed the cell in two strides and touched Simon on the arm. "You'd better get back to David before he worries himself sick. Whether or not you take me with you to Berkeley Square—where I have no doubt David and the others are waiting—is entirely your own affair. But I'd advise you to do so."

  Simon met Carfax's gaze. "That's probably for the best, for a number of reasons. Among other things, I imagine you'd like to see your grandchildren?"

  "You're a generous man, Tanner."

  "I didn't say it to be generous. And I only hope I'm not a fool."

  Chapter 37

  Malcolm looked round at the opening of the drawing room door, expecting Valentin with more coffee. Instead he saw Simon, followed by Carfax.

  David sprang to his feet, took three steps across the room, and went still, seeing his father.

  "Uncle Simon!" Jamie hurtled forwards with no such qualms.

  Simon ran to meet him and knelt down to catch the boy in his arms.

  The older three Craven children ran forwards and hurled themselves on Simon as well, but Teddy drew back after a moment to study Carfax, who had stopped just inside the door. "Grandpapa?"

  "Your grandfather was a great help in getting me released," Simon said.

  David stared at his father, as though he were trying to strip away layers to uncover an elusive truth. "You never fail to surprise me, sir."

  Simon got to his feet, holding Jamie. "Carfax has some information to share with us. It seemed best to bring him here." He met Julien's gaze for a moment, as though in apology for bringing Carfax into the scene of the wedding.

  "Quite right," Julien said. "I suspect we'd all like to hear what he has to say."

  "I imagine we could all do with a drink as well," Simon said. "Perhaps some lemonade for the children. I suspect Carfax would like a whisky. I know I would."

  Impatient as Malcolm was, and as concerned as he was about Carfax's presence in their house with Julien and Kitty, he knew the children needed time to reassure themselves that Simon was indeed back and safe. It was some minutes before the children finished their lemonade and returned to their game with Blanca and Addison keeping them company, and the other adults could settle themselves beside the fire.

  Simon, who had been rolling on the carpet a few minutes before with children gleefully knocking him over, looked at Carfax with a hard face. "You said you know who was behind the accusations against me."

  "Yes." Carfax settled back in his chair. He had chosen a simple straight-backed one. "It wasn't me, though I suspect that was your first thought."

  "Tempered by the fact that you might have tried it a score of times in the past," Malcolm said.

  "Quite. In fact, by the time I heard about it, Tanner was already in Newgate or I'd have acted sooner. Pressure was apparently placed on the home secretary directly. I had quite a confrontation with Sidmouth to reverse matters." Carfax said it easily, but Malcolm was quite sure Carfax had relished the confrontation.

  "Amazing what use information from years past can be put to, isn't it?" Julien said.

  "As you well know." Carfax took a drink of whisky. "Sidmouth does like to bluster, but there was never really any question that he would listen to me. And in the end, he confessed who had insisted on Simon's arrest. I must say, the answer surprised me. It was Lady Shroppington."

  Silence rippled across the drawing room.

  "You don't look as surprised as I expected," Carfax said. "May I take it you know something about her?"

  Malcolm glanced at Mélanie, then at Raoul, then at the others. "She's apparently connected to the Elsinore League."

  "She's—" Carfax set his glass down. "That is interesting. I had no notion they had women members.

  "Nor did I," Archie said. "And I was a member myself."

  "Lewis Thornsby was working for the League," Malcolm said. "Edgar recruited him. Apparently Thornsby and Lady Shroppington were both connected to the faction in the League that is trying to put Alexander Radford in power."

  "And I assume they have their reasons for wanting to remove Tanner from the field of play." Carfax looked at Simon. "My compliments on the release of the pamphlets, by the way."

  "You don't happen to have been behind the attacks in Hyde Park last night, do you?" Julien asked in an even voice.

  Carfax met his nephew's gaze across the room. "I rather think I'd be taking my life in my hands if I said yes. But as it happens, I truly wasn't. The first I heard about the attacks was a report early this morning, and even now I don't have all the details of what happened. Malcolm didn't mention them when he came to see me last night."

  "I couldn't without tipping you off about the pamphlets before they were released," Malcolm said.

  Carfax gave a faint smile. "I confess that while I suspected Tanner and Kitty were behind some of the recent news out of Spain that's been printed, I didn't even realize you had this latest information until a source kindly sent one of the pamphlets round to me this evening. If I had known, I'd have made an effort to stop you. It will cause some difficulties, to say the least. But it hardly rises to the level of murder."

  Malcolm stared at him. Carfax raised a brow. "Not convinced?"

  "No," Malcolm conceded. "We actually were saying much the same last night. But someone hired two groups of ruffians to attack those involved in printing the pamphlets last night and gave them specific orders to kill Kitty."

  Carfax's gaze shot to Kitty. She was sitting by quietly, watching him. The emerald ring Julien had given her had vanished from her hand moments after Carfax had come into the room. "I'd have quite understood," she said. "You wouldn't have done it for personal reasons."

  "But the papers hardly would have warranted it, as I said. Quite aside from the fact that I'd have known it would bring Julien down on my head. And that I am fond of you, Kitty."

  "That's never stopped you," David said.

  "It's given me second thoughts," Carfax said.

  "So the papers bothered someone else," Malcolm said. "Who?"

  "An interesting question." Carfax settled back in his chair and took a drink of whisky. "I don't have my printed copy on me at present, but I'm sure you're all familiar with the notes by now. There were only two meetings, one in Spain, one in Italy. The only people present at both were myself and an assistant I brought, who actually took the notes."

  "Toby Wilkins," Laura said.

  "Yes." Carfax inclined his head.

  "Lady Shroppington planted an agent in his home."

  Carfax raised his brows. "
That is an interesting development."

  "So what might Wilkins know that Lady Shroppington might be interested in?" Malcolm asked.

  Carfax tented his fingers below his chin. "Any knowledge he had of the meetings was contained in those notes. Difficult to see how Wilton would be of interest beyond the notes. He's able enough, but for better or worse he doesn't have your flexibility of thinking."

  "I recognized most of the names of those present," Raoul said. "Even those I hadn't actually met in person. Save for one man at the meeting in Naples. An Antonio Barosa."

  "Yes." Carfax met Raoul's gaze for a moment. "The minister of police fell ill and sent him along instead."

  "The minister of police of Naples?" Nerezza asked.

  Carfax turned his gaze to her. "Yes. The same gentleman with whom you were entangled, my dear. Whose secrets you gave to the Carbonari. I've known him since we were both just out of university. I attempted to detain you as a favor to him when you first arrived here. But it was more a debt of friendship than any particular concern for what you might do, as I told Malcolm."

  "But the Elsinore League wanted her dead." Ben shifted closer to Nerezza on the settee where they were sitting.

  "Seemingly because of this man who calls himself Alexander Radford, not because of the minister of police," Carfax said.

  "What was Antonio Barosa like?" Raoul asked.

  "About our age, I'd say. Closer to mine than yours, perhaps. On the portly side. From Sicily originally, judging by his accent. Didn't say a great deal, but drove a hard bargain about what Naples was willing to give up."

  "Could the stomach have been padded?" Raoul asked.

  Carfax's eyes narrowed. "I didn't see the man stripped down, so it's possible. I had no suspicion of it. But then, I wasn't looking for a disguise."

  "No, you wouldn't have been. What color were his eyes?"

  Carfax frowned in a seemingly genuine effort of recall. "Green in some lights, blue in others. At times they looked almost brown."

  Raoul looked at Nerezza. "You said Alexander Radford had hazel eyes."