Page 91 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“Our Mrs. Stafford told me she had a son that worked on the docks. If she took someone else’s name, perhaps she also used the elderly woman’s employment history.”
Edith wondered if Lord Harbury and Lord Wycliffe had discovered anything helpful while searching the registry office. Could the male employees, as well as the false Mrs. Stafford, be involved with the disappearances?
* * * * *
Nathaniel and Cecilwere inside Cecil’s coach across the street from the registry office when Mr. Bones and his two companions exited the building.
“How are you going to get Taylor and Porter out of the office?” he’d asked Bones after the man knocked on the carriage door a few minutes earlier and peeked inside.
“I’ll tell them I came by to check on their well-being, and now I’m headed for a tipple. I’d be surprised if they didn’t decide to join me.”
Soon after, Nathaniel and Cecil let themselves into the registry office.
“The ladies have already searched the downstairs area.” He headed for the stairs.
Cecil replied, “I’ll take a quick look down here to be thorough and join you in a moment.”
Nathaniel climbed the stairs to a small landing. There were three closed doors upstairs. One door led to an airing cupboard containing bed linen and cleaning supplies. He found nothing of interest in the tiny storeroom.
While he searched the first bedchamber, Cecil joined him upstairs and entered the other bedchamber. Nathaniel examined the dresser and armoire, finding only worn clothing. There was a book and a copy of a newspaper on the dresser. No other papers or personal items were in the room.
He walked across the corridor to see Cecil’s progress.
“Did you find anything?”
“Nothing of any import.” Cecil had been crouched down looking under the bed and now rose to his feet. “No papers or snuff boxes.”
“I came up empty as well.”
Cecil glanced around the small room. “What next?”
Nathaniel slapped his forehead. “I’d nearly forgotten! Did you find anything out about the red and black livery?”
“Oh yes! Mr. Bones traced it. Those colors were used by the Duke of Montagu, whose title went extant in 1790.”
He let out a long breath. “Leaving us with no idea as to who pilfered the livery?”
“None at all,” Cecil replied irritably.
“Shall we go? I suppose you didn’t find anything downstairs, either.”
Cecil shook his head. “Perhaps Lady Edith and Lady Louisa had better luck with Mrs. Stafford.”
When they entered Thorne’s Lending Library at three o’clock, Edith and Louisa were already in the seating area.
He and Cecil took a seat, and Nathaniel looked about to ensure no one was within earshot. “We found nothing to connect Taylor or Porter to the Rogue’s Alliance or any of the events we’ve experienced the last few days.”
“We went to the address in King Street, and our Mrs. Stafford doesn’t live there,” Edith replied in a whisper.
“What!?” Nathaniel lowered his voice to ask, “What do you mean she doesn’t live there?”
“Thereisa Mrs. Stafford in residence, but she is an elderly woman. We spoke with Alicia again, and the address on King Street is definitely the house where Lord Harbury’s coach deposited your female employee a few days ago.”
Louisa added, “Alicia admits she never actually observed the woman enter the house on King Street.”
“I wonder why the woman wouldn’t be more careful if she works for the RA?” He looked to Cecil. “What do you think?”
His friend replied, “Any carelessness on her part could mean her involvement is personal.”
