Page 40 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
The earl snorted a reply, “So the Navy wants to conceal the truth! It is suspicious you being transferred to that boat, and then my son accidentally drowns soon after.”
He’d replied calmly, “My lord, I know you’re grieving. You should let sleeping dogs lie. You may not want to know the full truth of what happened to your son and why.”
The man cursed him and stalked away. Nathaniel heard the earl tried to make trouble and had been warned to desist, or some unpalatable facts about his son might rear their ugly head.
Not a fortnight after Cooper drowned, the men on theDefenceandSt. Georgelost their lives. Nathaniel had been ready, more than ready, to retire from the Navy.
When he stepped down from his carriage in Hanover Square, although the afternoon was now warm and bright, a welcome change from the day before, his mood was not lightened.
A footman showed him into the earl’s parlor to wait.
“Good afternoon, Lord Harbury.”
He turned from where he stood near the hearth of the room to address a woman dressed in black. “Good afternoon.”
“I am Lady Devon, the earl’s daughter. My father is currently indisposed. Please be seated and tell me what I may do for you.”
The woman bore a marked resemblance to her deceased brother. Her words had been measured, and she looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes, her complexion pale.
“I didn’t know Lt. Cooper had a sister.” He took a seat on a stuffed chair after the lady was seated on a long sopha.
“I was ten years older than my brother. I married young while he was off at school. I’m sure the boy you knew at naval college wouldn’t have much to say about an old married sister.”
The woman wore black bombazine. For her brother or someone else?
His question must have shown on his face as the lady said, “I’m a widow. First my brother and then my husband. I feel as if I’ve been wearing black for years.”
The lady sat up straight, no self-pity in her expression.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“My husband was lost on the HMSDefence,” she closed her eyes an instant. “He loved the Navy and his men. I really should do more for the veterans who came home.”
Now was not the time to solicit a volunteer for the registry office, so he merely asked, “Your father is ill?”
“His physician says he's experiencing early dementia. It has been coming on for some time, and now he rants and raves quite often. Someone is with him day and night so he doesn’t injure himself.”
“I’m very sorry.” He paused. “He wasn’t involved in the recent hiring of a new groom?”
She pursed her lips as if in thought before replying, “I believe the butler, Sampson, contacted the registry office. He lost two sons in the war and wanted to make sure we employed returning veterans.”
“And you know nothing about the disappearance of the veteran who was to be your new groom?” He watched her closely.
“He disappeared? How peculiar. What can I do to help, Lord Harbury?”
“Might I speak with your butler about the man?”
“Of course. I’ll ask Sampson to speak with you.” She got to her feet. “I forgot to ask if you wanted refreshment. Tea?”
He shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Do let me know if I can be of further help, Lord Harbury. “You may speak with Sampson, and then he can show you out. I must see to my father.”
And with that, she exited the room. An elderly, distinguished-looking gentleman entered the parlor shortly thereafter.
“Lord Harbury, you wished to speak with me?”
He would not ask the man to sit as he knew the butler would never see that as proper behavior.
