Page 44 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“Your husband was a veteran of the Navy, I believe?”
“Oh yes! He always wanted to be in the Navy and was even born with a birthmark in the shape of an oar on his forehead. The crown doesn’t need as many sailors with the war over, so he had to find other employment.”
“Your husband was looking forward to his new position?” Edith asked pleasantly.
The woman nodded vigorously. “Oh yes! He was to work with Lord Sidmouth’s horses. Tom said he felt it was an honor.”
“Lord Sidmouth? The Home Secretary?” he asked, nonplussed.
“Yes, my lord.”
Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, had been the Home Secretary since 1812. Nathaniel knew very little about the man. He would have to speak to Cecil about his former superior at the Home Office.
All three veterans who had disappeared were hired to work with horses, and all three were former sailors.
“Do you have any other servants save the maid who answered the door?” Lady Edith asked, bringing him back to the matter at hand.
“No, my lady, although my brother lives here as well. We inherited the house from our parents.”
“Did the runners speak with him?” he asked.
The woman shook her head. “They spoke with our maid, Annie, but not with John. My brother was out when my husband left for his new position.”
“Where would John be now?” Nathaniel asked.
“He was cleaning some copper pans in the back garden to help Annie.”
“I’ll just have a word with him.” He rose to his feet as the maid entered with a wooden tray. “I’ll return in a moment.”
Outside the parlor was a corridor that led to the kitchen at the back of the house. The kitchen was empty, and he opened the door at the back of the house and entered a stamp-sized garden. A man was seated on a stool, polishing a battered copper urn with a cloth. He sported the same auburn hair as his sister.
“John? I’m Lord Harbury. I have some questions about your brother-in-law’s disappearance.”
The man looked up from his work and got to his feet. He frowned. “The runners didn’t speak to me, my lord.”
“Iwould like to speak with you. You may have some important information that could help us find Tom.”
“Like what?” John asked with a shrug.
“Was he a drinker? A gambler?”
“Tom is as dull as dishwater. Likes to stay at home and read.Readif you can believe it. My sister taught him his letters as he wants to rise above his station.” The man snorted.
“Did you see him leave for his position with Lord Sidmouth? Might you have noticed anything odd in his behavior or seen anyone that looked out of place in the area?”
The man was silent for a few moments. “I think I did, my lord. There was a carriage stopped just down the street. I saw Tom speak with the coachman. It looked like both men were examining one of the horses. I didn’t say anything to Tom but walked to the house and went inside.”
“Do you remember anything specific about the carriage? Or the coachman?” He felt his pulse quicken. They might finally have another clue as to who was abducting the veterans.
The man replied slowly, “The carriage was a black shiny one. I didn’t see a coat of arms on the coach, but the coachman wore red and black livery.”
“Is there anything else you can remember that was unusual that day?”
John shook his head. “No, my lord.”
“Thank you for your time. You have been most helpful. If you remember anything else, you and your sister can contact me through the registry office.”
Nathaniel turned and went back into the house. After entering the parlor, he declined a cup of tea and sat for a few minutes listening to Edith reassure Mrs. Wilson that they would find her husband.
