Page 66 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
Cecil left the stall without a word to the coroner.
The young runner was waiting for him. “You may not remember me. I’m Officer means. Your valet, Henry Bones, states that you left the house this morning for Dulwich. Your groom and driver were with you. Your other employee, Mr. Francis Bones, was also out.”
Francis. He hadn’t known Bones’ first name. “That is correct, although my whereabouts aren’t relevant as the man was most likely killed two days ago when he disappeared. The day my home was ransacked.”
Officer Baines replied, “The coroner believes the man was poisoned. Murdered.”
He sighed. “Yes. I doubt he put himself in the trunk.”
The other runner covered his mouth with a hand as if to stifle a chuckle.
“Is there anything else, Officer Means? If not, I have matters to attend to. My cook was murdered by the Rogue’s Alliance, the same organization that ransacked my home. I doubt we will ever know who perpetrated either crime.”
Neither officer responded, although their eyes widened at the mention of the RA. Bones had remained near the runners throughout the conversation, quiet and unobtrusive.
“Please advise my groom and driver when they may see to my carriage and horses,” Cecil said to the runners, turning on his heel.
He strode back to the house, Bones in his wake. When he entered the building through the kitchen door, Henry was there, perched on a stool.
Henry rose to his feet. “My lord.”
Cecil addressed both men when he asked, “Are you sure you wish to continue in my employ?”
“We’re up to the task, my lord,” Bones replied firmly, glancing at his cousin.
The other man nodded. “Bones has told me a bit about your scuffles with the RA. They’re a nasty bunch, preying on the weak. He tried to recruit me once, that Black Jack did. They’re a murdering, thieving lot, and I’ll have no truck with their sort. If staying helps you fight them, I’ll stay.”
“It’s your life. I hope you both don’t regret it.” He thought a moment. “Bones, have a word with my driver and groom. If they choose not to stay on after this, I won’t blame them. I’m going out. I’ll return in a few hours.”
He needed to walk. To think. He was so close. Sidmouth would hear soon enough about the murder, so he felt no need to notify the Home Secretary. Everything was coming to a head. He felt it. The end was near.
But what would the end look like? And what would it cost him?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Louisa found herself seated next to Lord Kettering and across from his wife. Alicia sat beside Lady Kettering.
The soup course was served, and she endeavored to remain calm. Lady Kettering must be Venus. She still didn’t know what her connection to Lady Cairs might be.
“Lady Louisa, Alicia tells me a valuable clock you recently acquired was destroyed,” Lord Kettering said lightly. “By Lord Wycliffe, no less.”
Although she knew he must have heard about Lord Wycliffe burning the clocks from other sources, his wife’s recently formed friendship with the talkative Alicia made the news inevitable.
“Oh yes, what a tragedy,” Alicia responded. “How strange of Lord Wycliffe to burn two such costly clocks.”
Alicia said several more things that Louisa did not attend to. She was watching Lady Kettering closely and saw the lady wince at Alicia’s continued conversation.
When Alicia paused for breath, Louisa said in a low voice, “Lord Wycliffe believes the clocks were coveted by The Rogue’s Alliance, so of course he would destroy the clocks.”
Edith threw Louisa a surprised look from the end of the table while Lady Kettering laughed musically.
“The Rogue’s Alliance? That organization is merely a myth, is it not?”
“I don’t believe so.” Louisa pursed her lips as if she were giving the matter some thought. “The alliance has been known to murder, cheat and steal. It is quite shocking how without scruples their members are.”
Lord Kettering drew in a breath. “There have always been those who take from others in this world.”
“But to be so cruel, so without mercy.” She paused to sigh. “It is really beyond the pale.”
