Page 108 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
She sighed deeply and said to her friend, “Now we wait.”
* * * * *
“Just remember thatalthough I’ve put away my pistols, they are readily available if you don’t do as you’re told,” Nathaniel said quietly to Black Jack as they approached theCeres.
“I also have a firearm,” Cecil added.
Nathaniel drove Jack’s carriage back to the ship while Cecil and Black Jack rode inside. The runner had no problem convincing the guards the other two veterans should be transported to the hospital ship.
“They look as poorly as that other one,” a guard told them, scratching his head. “They’re groggy and ranting.”
When the veterans were stowed safely in Jack’s carriage, Nathaniel asked Jack, “Why?”
“Money, advancement.”
He shook his head. “You were a legend.”
“That legend was made by graft and bribery.” Black Jack laughed bitterly. “How else do you think a boy from the streets was able to rise so high?”
“I don’t believe that, Jack. With hard work and determination, other runners have climbed the ranks.”
“What do you know of hard work, my lord?” Jack shook his head. “Born to privilege, you were.”
At least part of his argument was correct; Nathaniel would argue no further.
“Who gave you your orders?” Cecil asked. “There’s no point in protecting them anymore.”
“You know how it works, Cecil. The less you know, the longer you live. My only contact with the RA was the Assistant Chief Magistrate.” He gave them a wide smile. “You better get to him quick. I imagine his life is in danger now.”
“Sir Conant’s assistant? I don’t believe it.” Cecil frowned.
Black Jack made a rude noise. “Sir Conant is too busy getting legislation passed for a proper London police force. He doesn’t see what’s going on under his nose.”
“Who killed the scullery maid?” Nathaniel watched his former friend closely.
“The footman found in the Thames.” Jack added, “I may have coerced him to do so, but he did the deed. And then he had to die. What’s another servant gone? You know the RA never leaves loose ends.”
The man’s heartlessness was sickening. “You’re just another loose end, Black Jack.”
“Are you going to turn me in?” the man asked blandly.
“So another runner can let you go?” Cecil shook his head. “You’re worse off free. The RA will hunt you down eventually.”
Nathaniel vaulted onto the box of the borrowed carriage as Cecil climbed inside. “Goodbye, Jack. I won’t wish you good luck; you don’t deserve it.”
It didn’t matter what Jack did now. Cecil was right: he was a dead man.
After they drove to the other coach, they decided to head for Greenwich Naval Hospital to get medical care for their veterans.
The journey took nearly an hour in heavy traffic, and when they arrived, Commander Phelps took charge of the care of the three veterans, with few questions asked.
“I’ll return tomorrow to check on them,” Nathaniel told the Commander as he took his leave.
Bones volunteered to drive Jack’s carriage to London proper and abandon it. Nathaniel was sure the man had plans to sell the coach or give it to someone, but he didn’t care what the man did with it.
Cecil drove his carriage back to Mayfair, Nathaniel beside him on the high seat. He wanted to speak with Lady Edith but wouldn’t make a declaration in front of Lady Louisa. There would be time for that later.
The drive of two hours gave him time to think about the future of the registry office. He and Ashford would have to cut ties with the establishment. Diana could still run the operation if she chose to.
