Page 100 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“A prison ship.” She added, “These particular hulks have convicts on board headed for New Holland. Lord Wycliffe hasn’t been able to confirm or deny that the veterans are on board. Convicts to be transported are overseen by private entities, not the crown, you see.”
Her father nodded. “What does this have to do with me, Edith?”
“It has to do withme, Father.” She took a breath. “Louisa and I are going to attempt to get on the hulks and find our missing veterans.”
Her father’s face had turned pale, and he stared at her as if her hair was on fire. “You and Louisa!? Are you daft, Edith?”
“Lord Harbury and Lord Wycliffe would not be allowed to board the hulks if our veterans are on the ship. Louisa will pretend to be my maid who is searching for her brother. She and I will cause such a commotion that someone in charge will surely help us.”
Her father frowned darkly. “Help you do what?”
“Find Seaman Wilson. We’ve determined that the last veteran to go missing is most likely a decoy. A distraction. If he isn’t important to the kidnappers, perhaps he will not be as heavily concealed.”
“And Lord Harbury and Lord Wycliffe asked you to do this?”
“It was my idea, Father.” She sat up straighter in her chair. “Both gentlemen will be nearby. Either can disguise himself as my driver. I believe this is the only way. Lord Wycliffe has made discrete inquiries. If either he or Lord Harbury try to get on that ship, our veterans could be moved elsewhere, and we might never find them.”
Her father remained silent for a time. He stared at the cold hearth in the room while she stared at the hands clasped in her lap.
“You’re determined to do this,” he said almost to himself.
“I am. It may be our only chance to find those men,” she replied, looking up.
“You must have either Lord Harbury or Lord Cecil with you the entire time you are on that hulk,” her father said, his voice gruff. “Swear to me, Edith.”
“I swear, Father.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Nathaniel!” Aliciarose from her seat in the drawing room and ran to embrace him, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I’m terribly dusty,” he replied in a muffled voice against her hair. “Let me get cleaned up, dear sister. I’ll spoil your pretty dress.”
Alicia released him and stepped back. “You do look a sight.” She took a breath and smiled a watery smile. “Thank goodness you’re home. I’ll have Cook make us an early supper, and once you’re presentable, you may rejoin me here.”
“That sounds like an excellent plan. I’ll be down shortly.”
