Page 70 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
He examined it a moment before handing the box back to Cecil.
“There is something rather strange I need to tell you about. Lady Sandhurst invited me to her card party because of a threat.”
Cecil raised a brow. “She was threatened?”
Nathaniel recounted his conversation with the widow.
“Do you think she’s telling you the truth about not knowing who was behind the threat?”
He nodded. “The lady took a risk speaking to me about the whole business. I believe she told me everything she knows.”
“Mr. Bones can look into the goings on in that household. At least now we know who likely tampered with the food at the card party.” He paused. “Do you believe Lady Sandhurst could be the ‘woman’ reported to be behind the disappearances of our veterans? My intelligence hasn’t linked her or Lord Norwich to the Rogue’s Alliance.”
He thought a moment. “Although I don't believe Lady Sandhurst is involved in the disappearances, perhaps I should warn Lady Edith to keep her father away from the woman for now.”
“A good excuse to speak with the girl,” his friend replied lightly.
“She is a lady,” he replied crossly. “And a very intelligent one, at that. Except for her interest in you, of course.”
Cecil shrugged. “Most women are interested in me at one point in their lives.”
For a moment he saw red. “Do not trifle with her.” His voice was cold, steely.
“Calm down, my friend. I have no interest in the lady.”
“And make sure you treat her and her ideas with respect. That is not a request.”
Cecil put up a staying hand. “I was merely being flippant to ascertain your interest in the lady. She is an admirable young woman and truly worthy of you.”
Nathaniel took a breath, forcing his annoyance away. “I will investigate the transportation angle. I’m sure one of my contacts in the Navy can explain the process of transporting convicts.”
“And I will speak with my spies in the gaols to make sure our veterans aren’t hidden there.”
Neither man spoke for a minute. Nathaniel felt no need to fill the silence as he was still slightly irritated with his friend.
“Alicia has recovered from her illness?” the viscount asked politely.
“Quite admirably, thank you.”
Cecil got to his feet. “I will set Mr. Bones on the household of Lady Sandhurst. As for myself, I’ll make the rounds of the clubs for intelligence and find out whether our veterans are in gaol.”
“Very good.” He raised a brow when his friend hadn’t moved.
The viscount grinned at him. “She really is a clever young woman, Nathaniel.”
* * * * *
Upon arriving at thetownhouse, Louisa made for her bedchamber. “I need to rest. You are free to discuss transportation with your father without my presence.”
The butler informed Edith that her father was in the library.
“My dear!” Her father greeted her with a smile. “Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon, Father.” She took a seat near him on a stuffed chair. “What are you reading?”
“Lady Sandhurst lent me her first edition ofGulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.”
“Did she really? May I see it?”
