Page 71 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
Her father winked at her. “After I’ve finished reading it. Did you wish to speak with me?”
“I was reading an interesting article about transportation. I wondered if you were familiar with the landowner Mr. Basil Lambourne, who has traveled to London from New Holland?”
“I don’t know him personally, but I’ve heard of him.” Her father closed his book and placed it on a nearby table. “He is in the country to lobby for increased transportation to New South Wales.”
“Yes, I found that quite shocking. I took it to mean the man wants inexpensive labor and doesn’t care how he gets it.”
“A very astute deduction, my dear.” Her father tapped his temple with a forefinger.
“Do you think a man like that would resort to kidnapping men to work on his land?”
Her father’s gaze sharpened on her face. “That is a disturbing question, Edith.”
“You have heard about the missing Navy veteran?”
He nodded. “The man is affiliated with that registry office you volunteer with.”
“There have been more disappearances.” She paused. “Father, that is between us. Lord Wycliffe, Harbury, and Ashford are investigating the disappearances, as are the Bow Street Runners.”
“How many men have gone missing?” His voice now sounded slightly alarmed.
“Three so far. That is why the registry is temporarily closed.”
“The public will find out eventually.”
She blew out a breath. “I imagine they will. Right now, Lord Harbury doesn’t want to create a panic. If you remember, I told you he and Ashford own the registry office.”
“I remember. Lord Harbury is one of the richest men in England. And word is he is a war hero.” He lowered his voice to add, “That’s supposed to be a secret.”
“A war hero?” She leaned in. “Do you know what he did?”
“Uncovered a notorious spy for Napoleon. Someone who was part of an old and revered family. It was hushed up, of course. Couldn’t have that getting out.”
Her father glanced at the clock on the mantel. “I’m nearly late for an appointment. If you and Louisa do not have plans this evening, there is a reception for Mr. Lambourne given by the Royal Institution. If you’re interested in meeting the man, I could escort you and your friend. As a means for you to help Lord Harbury and Lord Ashford with their investigations, of course.”
“I’ll ask Louisa, but I’m sure she would like to accompany us to the reception. Why would the institution host a reception for a New Holland landowner?”
“Mr. Lambourne has agreed to give a lecture to institution members on the flora and fauna of New Holland while in London. I will see you at supper, my dear.” He rose to his feet, book in hand, leaned over her chair to kiss the top of her head, and exited the library.
Edith realized she hadn’t asked her father what he knew about transportation. She’d been too interested in what he had to say about the baron’s wartime activities. Should she share the information with Louisa? Her friend might very well tease her again.
Perhaps she would find out something useful by meeting Mr. Lambourne. Tomorrow, she would see Lord Harbury. She found she was quite looking forward to it.
* * * * *
In all his years inthe Navy, he had been lucky not to be involved with transporting prisoners. Once Cecil departed his study, Nathaniel thought about how he could determine whether the veterans were incarcerated on a hulk in London or possibly as far away as Portsmouth.
There was a knock at the open door of his study. Binns peeked in. “Lord Ashford is here to see you.”
“Send him in.”
When Ashford had taken a seat and declined refreshment, Nathaniel said, “You just missed Cecil. How is Charlotte?”
“She asked me to leave the house as I’m fussing over her too much.” He shook his head. “In the missive you sent today, you wrote that there was something you wanted to show me.”
Nathaniel handed Ashford the scrap of vellum he’d found on the dead maid’s person before recounting what he’d observed at Lady Sandhurst’s house regarding the murder and how the lady had been coerced into inviting him to her card party.
Ashford returned the vellum to Nathaniel. “Our investigation is becoming quite a tangled web. What does Cecil say?”
