Page 46 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“So perhaps their interest in horses was used to spirit away our veterans!” Edith let out a long breath.
“That was my thought!” The baron paused. “You are possessed of an agile mind, Lady Edith.”
“Thank you, Lord Harbury.” She felt heat on her cheeks.
There was a discreet knock on the open door, and a maid brought in a heavily laden tea tray. Edith didn’t know what to say next other than to ask the baron how he took his tea.
After the teacups were sorted, she selected a ginger biscuit from the tray. Harbury devoured several ham and cheese sandwiches between sips of black tea.
“Perhaps Lord Ashford or Lord Wycliffe will be familiar with the black and red livery,” Louisa mused.
He nodded. “I would be surprised if Cecil can’t find out which family the livery belongs to.”
“I wonder if it is significant that all three men were Navy veterans?” she asked after chewing and swallowing a bite of her biscuit.
“That, along with the horses, may be important.” Lord Harbury placed his teacup on the table in front of him and settled back against the cushions of the sopha.
“What else can we do to help?” she asked.
“It would be useful if we could determine if the veterans are the target of these disappearances.” Lord Harbury frowned. “Perhaps someone wants the registry to close.”
She let out a sigh. “Oh my! I hadn’t thought of that. You or Lord Ashford could be the real targets, perhaps as retaliation for purchasing the land in Berkeley Square the RA wanted.”
“Perhaps.” Lord Harbury sat forward and then got to his feet. “I should go. I need to inform Ashford and Cecil about the third missing veteran. Thank you for your hospitality. A carriage won’t be necessary; it is less than a mile from your home to Grosvenor Square.”
“Are you aware of Charlotte’s delicate condition?” she asked the baron.
Lord Harbury nodded. “I am. I will do my best not to disturb her with this business.”
They made their goodbyes. The baron's parting glance and words were warm, and she felt herself flush under his gaze. He may not be in love with her, but Lord Harbury liked her. Most importantly, he appeared to respect her opinions.
Chapter Seventeen
As Nathaniel walked, he thought about what had been accomplished to locate the missing veterans. They had discovered two possible links between the men: their service in the Navy and horses. The runners had no leads or weren’t sharing them, and he was sure Lord Norwich was not involved in the disappearances. Nor the earl’s butler, but to be thorough, he would ask Cecil to investigate the man.
He walked several blocks to Grosvenor Square only to find Lord and Lady Ashford were not at home. Instead of returning to his own house across the square, he walked a few more blocks to Cecil’s rooms on Curzon Street.
