Jonah’s expression turned serious. “Is Lady Amanda all right? Was the trouble she’d gotten into more serious than Celie imagined?”
Sterling took another swallow of his brandy. “The trouble is very serious. So serious, that someone tried to kill her brother, Viscount Mattenden, and Lady Amanda, as well.”
“Kill her? Her life was in danger?”
Sterling shook his head. “Not was. Is. She was shot. She nearly died. And the trouble has not gone away. The killer is still out there.”
Jonah’s forehead furrowed. “If anything, this news will confirm that Celie made the right decision when she forced you to look after Amanda. She wasn’t sure her decision had been right when she demanded that you find out what Amanda was involved in. She was sure her friend was in serious trouble. She knew you wouldn’t consider protecting Amanda without Celie’s insistence.”
“No, I wouldn’t have. But I would have done anything, including wrestle the devil himself if it provided me a way to get my sister back.”
“Even spend countless hours with the one woman in the world you’ve never been able to tolerate?”
“Even that.”
“At least the two of you haven’t killed each other,” Jonah said on a laugh.
“No, but I have to admit there were times I was tempted. And I’m sure Lady Amanda was, too.”
“Where is Amanda now?”
Sterling lifted his glass to his mouth, then lowered it without drinking anything from it. “She’s upstairs. In her room.”
Jonah’s eyes opened wide. “Here? She’s living here with you?”
“Yes. It wasn’t safe to let her stay anywhere else.”
Jonah was silent for several minutes, then he placed his glass on a nearby table and leveled Sterling a knowing look that sent a shiver down his spine.
“You know what this means, don’t you, Hadleigh?”
Sterling rose to his feet and walked to the other side of the room. “Yes, I know what it means. Thankfully, though, I don’t think the lady realizes the implications.”
“What in bloody blazes were you about? I know how desperate you are to mend your relationship with Celie. And, I know that you considered Celie’s demand to make sure her best friend wasn’t in danger a way to get Celie back in your life, but bloody hell, Hadleigh. You didn’t have to move her into your home.”
“The dowager Countess of Plummery has moved in, too.”
“She hardly qualifies as a respectable chaperone. Everyone knows she lives just across the street and no doubt comes and goes at her leisure. How will you explain all the hours she’s not here, or is off doing her rounds of socializing? Do you know the rumors that are bound to circulate, if they haven’t already?”
“They have.”
Hadleigh recalled the comment he overheard at his club. A comment that wouldn’t have been made if those involved had known he was within hearing distance. Rumor was that there was a private wager at White’s placing bets on how long it would be before the Duke of Hadleigh was forced to apply for a special license. And how long before the usual nine month time the future heir to the Hadleigh dukedom would make an appearance.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t see where I have much choice. The lady will continue to reside here. When we’ve resolved the trouble Amanda’s brother has gotten himself into, I’ll propose, like I knew I’d have to do when I brought her to stay beneath my roof.”
“I can’t say my wife will be disappointed when she hears that Amanda will be her future sister-in-law, but what about you? Can you live with the decision you’ll be forced to make?”
“I don’t see where I have a choice. Besides…”
Hadleigh stopped. His attention focused on a sound beyond the door. Jonah must have heard the same sound. His gaze darted to the closed door, too.
Hadleigh quickly stepped to the door and opened it. He trusted his staff enough to believe they would never eavesdrop on his conversations, but right now it wasn’t wise to trust anyone.
He looked out into the hallway.
Nothing.
He checked again, then closed the door and walked back inside. “I must be getting paranoid. I thought I heard someone at the door.”
Jonah smiled. “Then I must be paranoid, too, because I heard the same noise.”
Hadleigh returned to his chair. “Thankfully, the hallway is empty.”
“Which leads us back to our problem. What do you know about the trouble Lord Mattenden is in? How can I help you solve this problem and keep Lady Amanda safe?”
Hadleigh looked at his friend. “Thank you for your offer, Jonah. I appreciate it. But Cecelia would never forgive me if anything happened to you.”
The Earl of Haywood laughed. “Then I’ll have to count on you to watch my back. You forget. I served several years in the Crimea. I’m sure this will seem like a picnic compared to that hell.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“Maybe it would be best if you explained what’s going on, and what Lord Mattenden has gotten himself involved in.”
Hadleigh refilled their glasses, then sat down and told Jonah everything he knew.
CHAPTER 20
Hadleigh started from the beginning. He explained what he knew about the smuggling operation, then how Mattenden had nearly been killed. Next he explained that Amanda had taken Harry into hiding, and finally revealed her breaking and entering the shipping offices of every titled earl.”
“Tell me the lady didn’t go to the docks alone at night,” Jonah said, sitting forward in his chair.
“I’d tell you that, but it would be a lie. I don’t know how she managed to survive as long as she did before I discovered what she was doing and put a stop to it.”
“Do you know what this earl is smuggling into Britain?”
Hadleigh took a long swallow of his brandy. “It’s not what he’s smuggling into London, it’s what he’s smuggling out of London.”
“And that would be?”
“Humans. Young. Female. Blonde. Preferably virgins.”
Jonah’s brows furrowed and he sat at attention. “Mattenden was involved in human trafficking?”
Hadleigh shook his head. “He didn’t know that he was. He assumed this earl was smuggling in tea and spices from China. When he discovered at least some of the shipments contained opium, he refused to have any more involvement in their smuggling operation. But when he returned to the ship to make his intentions known, he realized the Calliope Anne was bringing in smuggled goods, but leaving with young innocents who would be taken to China and sold into sexual slavery.”
“This is more dangerous than smuggling,” Jonah said.
“I know. Anyone dealing in human trafficking has already determined that human life is expendable. They’ll murder without a second thought.”
“Who are your suspects? I assume you have some.”
“Amanda did a remarkable job of investigating any titled earl who owned a shipping company. She’d narrowed her candidates to four suspects before she was shot.”
“Who are these chief suspects? Perhaps I can add something you hadn’t thought of.”
“There are four. Because of their fast lifestyle and easy spending, the Earl of Stanwich and the Earl of Marquit seem the most likely to be involved. But they are proving to be innocent.”
“And the other two?”
“The Earl of Flanders and the Earl of Lambert.”
“I can see why you put Stanwich and Marquit at the top of your list. I can’t see either Flanders or Lambert guilty of any crime, let alone a crime of this magnitude.”
“I know, which is why—”
Hadleigh stopped when a sharp knock echoed. “Yes?”
Barkley opened the door. “You have a guest, Your Grace. It’s the Earl of Lambert. He is most insistent.”
Hadleigh exchanged a look with Jonah. “Send him in, Barkley.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Barkley was gone for only a
moment, then ushered the Earl of Lambert into the room. He and Haywood both rose.
Hadleigh noticed Lambert’s unkempt appearance, his wrinkled clothes, and mussed hair. But mostly, he was struck by the haunted look in his eyes.
“Lambert, what an unexpected surprise.”
“I apologize for coming at such a late hour, Hadleigh, but I didn’t know what else to do.”
Hadleigh noticed the trembling of Lambert’s hands. “May I offer you a drink?”
“Yes, please. I feel as if I need one.”
Hadleigh walked over to the sideboard and filled a glass, then returned and handed it to Lambert. “Sit down. Please.”
The earl sat.
“You are acquainted with the Earl of Haywood, are you not?”
“Yes.” Lambert took a swallow of his liquor, then took another before he set down his glass. He looked from Hadleigh to Haywood, then back again? “May I speak freely?”
“Yes. There is nothing I don’t trust Lord Haywood to hear.”
“Very good. Then there’s something I need to tell you.”
Hadleigh experienced a rush of anticipation. “Something that concerns your shipping operation?”
“Yes.” Lambert picked up his glass again, even though he’d just set it down, and took another swallow. “And the Calliope Anne.”
Hadleigh sat in his chair and faced his guest. “Go on.”
“I’ve been bothered since your visit. Your questions weren’t at all vague, but pointed. I know you were fishing for a reaction when you mentioned the Calliope Anne, but at the time, the name meant nothing to me. But the longer I considered the matter, the more convinced I was that I had heard that name before. Now, I’m certain of it.”
“Go on,” Hadleigh encouraged when Lambert stopped.
“May I ask you a question first?”
“Of course.”
“You mentioned that the Calliope Anne was involved in something illegal. I assume that means smuggling. Am I correct?”
“To a point, yes.”
“What else?”
“The Calliope Anne arrives bearing smuggled goods—most commonly, tea and opium.”
Lambert’s fingers tightened around the arms of his chair.
“When it leaves London, it has a different cargo. The Calliope Anne carries young females who will then be sold in China.”
Lambert’s features paled considerably. Hadleigh was grateful that Jonah rose to refill Lambert’s empty glass. He also brought back a glass of water.
Lambert took a drink from the glass of water, then wiped the heavy perspiration from his face. “I’ve just returned from Kroften Shipping, my family’s shipping concern. I spent several hours going over the ledgers and bills of lading.”
“And what did you discover? Does Kroften Shipping own the Calliope Anne?”
Lambert nodded. “There is only one reference to the Calliope Anne. One made several years ago. It shows where Kroften Shipping purchased the Calliope Anne, but that’s where records end. I could find no further mention of the ship. It’s as if Kroften Shipping purchased the ship, then never used it.”
“Kroften Shipping may not be using it, but someone is,” Jonah interjected.
“And I believe I know who,” Lambert admitted.
Hadleigh sat forward. This was it. Lambert knew who was behind the smuggling ring. Who their mysterious earl was. “Who?” he asked. He was impatient to finally discover who was at the core of so much terror and destruction.
“His name is Abernathy Fowler. He’s overseen Kroften Shipping for several years. His father held that position before him.”
Hadleigh couldn’t believe the relief that washed through him. This nightmare would soon be over for Amanda, as well as her brother. “Thank you for coming forward, Lambert.”
“This is my fault,” Lambert said, focusing on a spot on the floor before him. My family has owned Kroften Shipping for generations, going as far back as the East India Company. My father visited the docks daily. He took conscientious care of every aspect of the business. But I had no interest in the ships or their cargoes. I devoted my time and energy to my horses. To my Arabians.”
Lambert rose and stepped away from them. “I seldom visited, and never to spend more than a few moments there. Just to bid Mr. Fowler a good day and ask how everything was going.” He laughed. “Of course, everything was always fine.”
He turned to face Hadleigh. The pained look in his eyes was filled with regret and self-condemnation. When he spoke, his voice was husky with emotion. “What I discovered tonight leaves no doubt as to how Fowler is involved.”
Hadleigh’s anticipation rose. “What was that?”
“I didn’t want to enter Kroften’s shipping office through the front in case anyone was watching, so I went to the alley to enter by a side door. I noticed a shipping company I’d never realized was there before. Netfork Shipping.”
“Do you know who owns it?” Jonah asked.
“I think I do.”
“Who?” he and Jonah both said at the same time.
“I believe I do.”
“What?” Hadleigh said, certain that he hadn’t heard Lambert correctly.
“The name intrigued me,” Lambert continued. “I’m not sure why, but it just seemed strange. Then I realized why that was. Do you have a sheet of paper and a pen?”
“Of course.” Hadleigh rose to get the items Lambert wanted.
Lambert began writing as soon as Hadleigh gave him the paper and pen. When he finished he held up the paper.
“This is the name of my shipping company. K R O F T E N Shipping.” He placed the paper back in his lap and wrote again. “This is the name of the shipping company across the alley from Kroften.” He held up the paper. The word N E T F O R K was written below Kroften.
Hadleigh looked at Jonah, wondering if he saw what Lambert expected them to see. From the expression on Jonah’s face, it was obvious that the clue Lambert gave them was as lost on his friend as it was on him.
They both stared at the names a moment longer.
Dawning struck. In unison he and Jonah released a curse. “Bloody hell,” Hadleigh whispered. “Do you see that, Jonah?” he asked. From the expression of astonishment on Haywood’s face, he saw the same clue that Hadleigh did.
“If you hadn’t pointed it out,” he said to Lambert, “I would never have noticed. It’s brilliant. KROFTEN spelled backwards is NETFORK. Your manager is running two businesses at the same time. And you, no doubt, are financing them both. He uses Kroften Shipping for the legal shipments of goods, and Netfork Shipping for his illegal shipments.”
“Yes.” The papers slipped from Lambert’s hands and fluttered to the floor. “I didn’t know,” he whispered. “If I would have been more diligent in—”
“That’s not the point,” Haywood said. “The point is that now we know who’s behind the smuggling ring and can stop them.”
A hopeful glimmer lit Lambert’s eyes.
“Does Fowler know you suspect him?” Hadleigh asked.
Lambert shook his head. “I don’t think so. He wasn’t at the shipping office when I was there.”
The three men looked from one to the other. “How are we going to handle this, Hadleigh?” Jonah asked.
“The authorities will have to be involved. This is too large an operation to bring down on our own.”
“I’ll inform the authorities,” Lambert said. “But we’ll need to hurry. The Calliope Anne was pulling into the dock as I left.”
“Are you sure?” Hadleigh asked.
“Yes.”
Hadleigh thought for a moment, then turned to Lambert. “Go to 4 Whitehall Place and ask for Commissioner Mayne. Tell him everything we know, and tell him to meet us at Kroften Shipping in an hour. We have to make sure we don’t alert Fowler. We have to catch him as they’re unloading the smuggled goods, and before they bring the females they’ve kidnapped.”
Lambert walked toward the door. Hadleigh went with him.
“Barkley, see Lord Lambert out, then send someone for Viscount Mattenden. Tell him to dress and prepare to come with us. If he asks why, tell him we’re going to get the earl.”
“Right away, Your Grace.”
When Hadleigh turned, he found Haywood beside him. “I didn’t expect you to provide me with such excitement while I was here. May I also ask that you provide me with a weapon or two, in case I need them?”
“Of course,” Hadleigh answered, then turned toward his study. There was a weapon case against the wall with more than enough guns for Mattenden, Haywood, and himself. Before he entered the room, however, Amanda’s maid, Nellie, stepped toward him.
“Your Grace?”
“Oh, Nellie. Inform Lady Amanda that I will be gone for a while.”
“That’s what I’ve been waiting to tell you, Your Grace. The lady’s not here.”
Hadleigh noticed the nervous twisting of Nellie’s hands at her waist, the tenseness in her shoulders. The way the little maid couldn’t look him in the eyes. “What do you mean, the lady’s not here?”
“Just that, Your Grace. Lady Amanda burst into her room nigh on to a quarter of an hour ago and gathered a few of her belongings.”
Hadleigh’s heart raced. “Did she say where she was going?”
“No, Your Grace. I knew you would want to know where she went, so I asked if I could give you a message.”
“What did she say?”
“She said…” The maid looked down at her feet. “She said…”
“Out with it, Nellie. What did she say?”
“She said to tell you that you could....”
Nellie chewed her bottom lip.
“That I could what?”
“That you could go to the…”
“Yes?”
“…the devil,” she said on a rush, “and that…”
“Go on.”
“…that she knows how difficult it’s been to tolerate her presence, so she won’t bother you any longer.”
He took a slow, angry breath. “Anything else, Nellie?”
He was numb. He’d lost feeling to every nerve in his body. Her words had struck his heart as if Amanda had intended to give him a fatal blow.
“No, Your Grace,” Nellie answered with tears streaming down her face. “I’m sure the lady didn’t mean her words. She was just overwrought over something.”
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