‘There’s another way, sir. I’ve been cultivating the acquaintance of one of the housemaids there — thought she might come in useful as a source of information.’
Justin chuckled. ‘Oh you have, have you? Pretty, is she?’
Watts winked. ‘Not bad, sir, very well to pass, as you might say.’
‘It’s always agreeable to be able to combine business with pleasure. All the same, I don’t see that this young female could provide the answers we need at present, although she may prove useful for keeping an eye on the household in general. You have my full permission to continue the association, Joe, though I trust you’ll have a care not to get yourself into Parson’s Mousetrap,’ he finished with a grin.
‘Gawd, no,’ said Watts fervently. ‘I never go that far, guv’nor!’
‘To return to our sheep, as the French say. Let’s consider the good doctor. He has full knowledge of the Kinver secret, of course, but could he have discovered Lady Velmond’s?’
‘He’s been attending the lady,’ pointed out Watts. ‘She might have let something out to him.’
‘But only since she received the blackmail letter, recollect. Before that, she had no nervous symptoms and therefore no need of his services.’
‘True, I forgot. Well, he might have been chatting to Mrs Cleveland or even her married daughter, when she lived at home with her parents.’
‘Now we’re back at speculation. Moreover, even if either of our suspects had been in possession of the full facts and we could prove that to our satisfaction, we’d still need more tangible evidence to convict this so-called Thompson of murder. Another demand for blackmail might help us to track him down.’
Watts pursed his lips.
‘Should think he’d lie low at present, sir, wouldn’t you?’
Justin considered this. ‘No, why should he do so? He’s no reason to suppose that anyone other than the victims — and, of course, the unfortunate Yarnton — knows anything of his blackmailing activities.’
‘We’ve been asking questions about Thompson, though.’
‘True, but in such a way that we sounded completely in the dark ourselves. Moreover, there’s nothing whatever to cause him to suspect that either of his victims has confided in a third party. Lady Kinver hasn’t done so in five years, so why should she start now? As for Lady Velmond, it must be plain to the meanest intelligence that the poor little creature is easily scared and unlikely to do anything to put her marriage in jeopardy. Not that I consider it at all likely that she’ll receive a second demand for some time. Our man is by far too canny to overplay his hand and will realize that the ready is hard to come by in that quarter.’
Watts nodded.
‘I think it probable, though,’ continued Justin, ‘that Lady Kinver may be approached again before long. She’s been receiving demands at regular six-monthly intervals over the past five years, and the last of these arrived in October. They come in the first week of the month, so I’m informed. No doubt you’ve noticed that we’ve just embarked on April? That should indicate that one may arrive any day.’
‘B’ God, sir, if he does send a demand to the lady, we should be able to grab him, right enough! That’s to say if he follows the same method as for t’other lady, and names a particular office and a date for payment.’
Justin nodded. ‘I’m told that’s been the way of it over past years, and there’s no reason to suppose he’ll vary it this time. Of course there’s no means of telling exactly when he’ll collect. We made inquiries at the receiving office ten days after the date given to Lady Velmond, and no one could inform us precisely when that packet was collected, much less by whom. It may mean mounting a close watch at the receiving office for several days, even weeks. He’ll collect at his convenience, early or late, according, perhaps, to the state of his pockets, what?’
‘Well, we can always put another Runner on to it, sir, besides myself.’
‘True. In the meantime, I’d like to know more about both Cleveland and Wetherby, as at present they’re the favourites in the field. I fear we may need to seek information by less, ah, legitimate methods than we’ve employed so far. An examination of their private papers would be helpful. That being so, you may possibly wish to disassociate yourself from my activities? As an officer of the law, I mean.’
‘No fear, sir. That pretty housemaid will come in handy for getting me into Cleveland’s place.’
‘Then I’ll take the doctor. We may perhaps both meet in gaol, Watts, eh?’
Justin and his niece were dancing together at Lady Rutherford’s first ball of the season, an event which her brother-in-law had felt obliged to attend. They made a handsome pair, and more than one wistful or envious glance was sent in their direction. The young ladies sighed over the dark-haired gentleman with a humorous twist to his mouth, who looked so distinguished in his black coat, pantaloons and intricately tied cravat. The gentlemen found it difficult to take their eyes off his delightful partner, a bewitching figure in soft pink gauze over silk, her hair dressed with a topknot of ringlets bound in a circlet of artificial pink rosebuds.
At the moment she was pouting, an expression which only made her elfin features more attractive.
‘You’ve treated me in a monstrous shabby fashion,’ she complained. ‘You promised to keep me informed of everything you’ve discovered, and here am I, no wiser, though you must have discovered something by now, needle-witted as you are! And don’t suppose I haven’t noticed that you’ve been avoiding me lately — anyone might suppose I’d contracted the plague!’
‘Doing it too brown, fair child,’ he said lightly. ‘Anyone so mistaken as to entertain such a suspicion must wonder at the numbers of men present this evening who are evidently ready and eager to run the risk of infection. Only look about you — Grassington, for instance, is positively goggle-eyed!’
She could not help following the direction of his gaze, then turned back quickly and laughed.
‘His eyes do tend to resemble a frog’s at the best of times,’ she whispered. ‘But what have you to say for yourself, you wretch? Don’t think I’m not aware that you’re trying to turn the subject!’
‘No, indeed. We are both too knacky by half to hope to deceive each other. Well, there are things I will tell you presently, when we can be assured of privacy, but certainly not on the ballroom floor. Tell me, who is the lady dancing with Velmond?’
‘Oh, that’s Mrs Bradfield,’ she replied, having glanced at the couple in question. ‘She arrived in Town only a few days ago, but of course mama included her in the invitation, as she’d already asked Mr Bradfield.’
‘Have you any previous acquaintance with her?’ he asked.
‘No, for she’s a little older than I and was out while I was still in the schoolroom. Why, do you want me to assist in another of your seductions?’
She accompanied this remark with a saucy look which made several gentlemen nearby decide that Rutherford must be cut out ruthlessly for the next dance, even if the fellow was most respectably related to their divinity.
He sighed. ‘I regret to inform you that my seductions have not been prospering of late, with or without your assistance.’
‘That is quite your own fault. Any number of my friends have been angling shamelessly for an introduction to you.’
‘Alas, my dear, I am sorry to tell you that matrimony is not my present aim, while I’m quite sure your friends have decidedly opposite views.’
‘Well, yes, I dare say you are right,’ she conceded. ‘And I must admit that I myself find matrimony a lowering prospect, in spite of all mama’s encouragement to fix my interest with some one of the undoubtedly pleasant and eligible gentlemen who seem willing to take the risk of having me for a wife. There is so much one wants to do before settling into a life of domesticity!’
‘What would you like to do?’ he asked, amused.
‘Travel,’ she answered promptly. ‘Not only France, where everyone goes since the peace, but Italy, Greece, Turkey
— like Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, you know.’
‘And perhaps, like her, discover something as useful as inoculation against the smallpox?’ he quizzed her. ‘Though you must forgive me for pointing out that it was a mere male — Dr Jenner — who improved upon the original discovery.’
‘But that was several years later,’ she objected. ‘Besides, is it not the way of the world? Only the male sex ever really find the opportunity for serious study.’
He regarded her with respect. ‘A bluestocking, eh? Well, perhaps you may live to see changes, my dear. Meanwhile, stick to your guns and don’t allow either your mama or the usages of society to chivvy you into marriage before you’re ready. But don’t tell her I said so, for pity’s sake!’
True to his word, he did confide to her his latest information during a brief private interlude after supper and before the dancing recommenced. He told her everything except the precise details of Maria Kinver’s indiscretion, which she was at liberty to guess at for herself.
She looked reflective.
‘Do you not find it interesting that the nurse thought she was lying? But I expect you’ll look into that. I can certainly be useful to you, Justin, in finding out from Lucy if she ever confided her trouble to Dr Wetherby. She seems to be enjoying herself tolerably well this evening, but would you believe, she still hasn’t told Velmond the truth? Mind you, I don’t altogether blame her,’ she added, fair-mindedly, ‘for matters fell out awkwardly at the time — I’ll relate the whole to you when we have more leisure. I think there’s one more inquiry which I may be able to pursue on your behalf, too. But there’s no time for more now — here comes my next partner — I’ll call upon you soon, Justin.’
He was not quite sure whether this constituted a promise or a threat. He passed on to his next partner, who chanced to be Lucy Velmond herself.
She was inclined to be nervous with him at first, but he soon put her at ease by talking on trivial subjects in his usual amusing style until at last she was actually laughing.
‘May I prevail upon you to present me to Mrs Bradfield as a desirable partner?’ he requested, towards the conclusion of the dance. ‘That is, if I haven’t trodden too often on your toes, of course?’
She looked surprised. ‘Why, certainly. Did not George introduce you to her earlier?’
‘Yes, but the lady has been engaged for every dance so far, except this one. Now she’s chatting to Lady Quainton, so perhaps your combined good offices may suffice to persuade her to take the floor with me for the next.’
Lucy was at a loss to understand why he should particularly wish to partner Mrs Bradfield, a sufficiently good-looking young matron, it was true, but scarcely a dasher; nevertheless, she was anxious to do anything possible for one who had taken such a sympathetic interest in her own wretched plight and soon arranged matters.
Mrs Bradfield appeared flattered to be asked to stand up with one of the most interesting young bachelors in the room and determined to do her best to entertain him. He found her an agreeable chatterbox, and quickly turned this to his advantage by skilfully steering the conversation into the most useful channels for his purpose.
He asked about her neighbours in the country and was told that Sir Rupert and Lady Wingrave were the nearest and most valued of these.
‘Dearest Maria Wingrave and I are quite bosom bows — we couldn’t be more intimate were we indeed sisters!’ she assured him. ‘And our children play so prettily together! You will be acquainted with Maria’s mother, Lady Kinver, I dare say, though perhaps not with Maria herself?’
He acknowledged that she was correct in both assumptions, then led her on to gossip about her friend. This she was very ready to do; in consequence, he amassed a great deal of information, most of which he thought would prove worthless. The most vital point did not, of course, emerge.
After a while, he managed to turn the conversation yet again, this time to the excellent land agent whom her husband had once mentioned.
‘Oh, yes, Thompson,’ she said. ‘Indeed, I do not know how my husband would go on without him, he’s so reliable in every possible way. Poor man, it’s melancholy that he should have been disappointed in his family! But so it often is — the most praiseworthy people beget good-for-nothing sons.’
Justin metaphorically pricked up his ears.
‘You are quite right, ma’am,’ he agreed sententiously. ‘May one inquire as to the younger Thompson’s fault?’
‘Oh, his father scrimped and saved to get the boy a good education, so Bradfield tells me, and then what does he do but fling it all away to go and join a troupe of travelling players! And from that day to this, poor Thompson has never heard a word from his son and has no notion of his whereabouts, nor whether he is still alive! Can you imagine such unfilial behaviour?’
Stifling a yawn, Justin agreed that he could not. He was not sorry when the dance shortly came to an end. Nevertheless, Mrs Bradfield had certainly provided him with food for thought.
For the moment, duty was done. He passed on thankfully to his next partner, a friend of Anthea’s on whom his appreciative eye had been lingering whenever he dared to spare a glance. She had auburn hair, green eyes, a graceful figure and the most enchanting dimple in her chin.
He sighed and reminded himself sternly of Parson’s Mousetrap, the aim of all nubile females and a hazard he was determined at present to avoid.
CHAPTER 13
Lucy and Anthea had not met so frequently of late. Since Velmond’s reconciliation with his wife, he had spent far more time at her side. This was at once a delight and a torment to her, as she tried to explain to her friend when they were able to enjoy a tête-à-tête on the day following the ball.
‘It could be oh, so wonderful!’ she said sadly. ‘But I cannot enjoy his company while I realize that I am still living a lie. You see, he now believes that story I told him to account for my visit to the pawnbroker’s — he begged me to forgive him for ever doubting my word. I, to forgive him! I feel the lowest creature in nature, Anthea.’
‘But, my dear Lucy, you must tell him the truth and then all will be comfortable again,’ urged Anthea in a reasoning tone.
Lucy sighed despairingly.
‘Don’t you suppose that’s just what I wish with all my heart to do? But how can I possibly begin? Am I to say that the whole was a tissue of lies, just as he supposed in the first place? How can he ever believe anything I say again if I shatter this newfound trust of his? Oh, believe me,’ — bowing her head in her hands — ‘I’ve cudgelled my wits for some opening remark that will lead on to a revelation of the truth without causing a permanent breach between us, a situation worse than the former one. I lie awake at nights thinking it out, without ever finding a solution. I feel near demented with worry!’
Anthea was momentarily at a loss. She had never yet experienced the pangs of love and so found it difficult to realize what a sensitive condition it was and how it could lead lovers to behave in what to an onlooker seemed an absurdly irrational manner. Direct and courageous herself, she could only by a wide stretch of her active imagination put herself in the more timid Lucy’s place.
‘Someone once said that the worst vice is advice,’ she said at length lightly, ‘so I won’t attempt to offer you any, my love. But cheer up, for I feel sure a suitable opportunity will present itself before long. It must be so. Husband and wife living together under one roof cannot possibly persist in misunderstanding each other.’
Lucy was not at all certain of this, but she nodded dolefully. Anthea hastened to change the subject.
‘There were one or two questions I wished to ask you on behalf of my Uncle Justin, should you not object,’ she continued briskly. ‘He wondered if perhaps at any time you’d confided your secret to Dr Wetherby?’
Lucy started. ‘Dr Wetherby? Does he think … surely he cannot possibly believe that the doctor has anything to do with this monstrous business?’
‘It’s only sensible to suspect everyone who was present w
hen the murdered man uttered his remarks about Thompson, whom we now know to be a blackmailer,’ explained Anthea.
‘Yes, but — a doctor!’ objected Lucy.
‘Even doctors are subject to human fallibility, don’t you agree? But I don’t think Justin’s suspicions are directed specifically at Dr Wetherby, if that consoles you at all. It’s simply that he needs to know exactly who could have been aware of your secret. You must see that only someone who knew of it could have used it against you.’
Lucy nodded. ‘Well, Cecilia Cleveland — Lady Barclay, as she now is — did know, of course, as she was at school with me. I suppose she would have told her parents, so they too would know. But as to Dr Wetherby, I have never confided in him. Unless in some way…’ — her voice trailed off uncertainly — ‘he might have learned something from Mrs Cleveland.’
‘Of course, how idiotish I am!’ exclaimed Anthea. ‘Mrs Cleveland is one of those incurable gossips. When you first came as Velmond’s bride to Town, it would not be at all wonderful if she dropped some hint which could have been followed up by that unscrupulous creature, your blackmailer. By the way, Lucy, I think there can be no harm in your knowing that you are not the only victim.’
Lucy exclaimed in horror.
‘Yes, it is frightful, is it not? But at least it may console you a little to learn that you’re not alone in your plight. I’m not at liberty to divulge the other victim’s name, as you’ll readily understand. But perhaps now you’ll see why it’s important to inform Justin of anything at all which can possibly assist him to discover the miscreant and put an end to his machinations.’
Lucy shuddered. ‘Oh, yes — yes, indeed! It’s all too monstrous — horrible, horrible!’
She pulled herself together after a moment.
‘But I can’t recollect anything else which could help Mr Rutherford,’ she continued, her brows creased in thought. ‘I told him all that I could during our conversation together, and I answered all his questions as fully as possible. As to Dr Wetherby,’ — she paused momentarily — ‘it could be as you suggest. Mrs Cleveland may have let something slip out. I certainly did not tell him myself.’
A Reputation Dies: A thrilling combination of detective fiction and romance (The Rutherford Trilogy Book 1) Page 11
