Page 72 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“He has no intelligence linking Lady Sandhurst to the RA. Mr. Bones is going to question her servants. That is his specialty, ingratiating himself with the help. You know how servants like to gossip.”
“I recall Cecil telling me once that he’d yet to link any noblewoman to the organization. Female servants and doxies, yes.”
“I do have some experience in interrogation and reading people,” he replied. “I don’t think the lady is involved. It may be a good idea to warn Lady Edith and her father, though.”
Ashford nodded. “I’ll take care of it. I assume you don’t want to involve Alicia in this more than you have to?”
“You are correct.” He added, “Lady Edith believes our veterans could be waiting to be transported to New Holland.”
Ashford whistled. “I recently read an article about a gentleman, one of the landowners down there, being in London.”
“That article is the basis of Edith’s idea,” he replied.
“She could be on to something.”
“Cecil showed me the snuff box Charlotte found at the registry office.”
“I’ve asked Charlotte to refrain from further investigations. And I don’t want Diana involved more than she already is.” Ashford sighed. “I can’t dictate what Lady Edith and Lady Louisa do, but I can hope to keep the women in my family out of this dreadful business.”
“Why don’t you dash off a quick note to Lady Edith while you’re here? You can tell her about Lady Sandhurst’s possible involvement and hint that she and Louisa should be more careful in their investigations. Then you may accompany me to see a naval friend. He might be able to help us find out if our veterans are scheduled to go to New Holland.”
Ashford raised a brow. “You don’t want to be the one to ask Lady Edith to be careful.”
He grinned in reply. “I would rather you draw the lady’s ire.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Edith received a missivefrom Lord Ashford soon after her father left the townhouse for his appointment.
I do not want to alarm you, but there is the possibility that Lady Sandhurst may be involved with the disappearance of our veterans. There are rumors a woman is involved. Please do not relay this information to your father. If you can keep him close to home for now, do so.
Charlotte and Diana have promised not to become involved further in the matter of the missing veterans. Going forward, I hope you and Lady Louisa will take care if you decide to investigate further.
She immediately shared the letter with Louisa.
“Lady Sandhurst? I don’t believe it.”
