Page 16 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
He replied in a low voice, “Bones is keeping an eye on Lady Louisa.”
“Louisa wouldn’t like to hear that.” Nathaniel paused. “What excuse did you give to Bones for watching the lady?”
“I told him I needed to know if she left the house with that clock as I was sure she would tire of it and wish to sell it.”
Nathaniel nodded. “A plausible story.”
“It’s safer for Lady Louisa if she doesn’t know how important the clock is although I saw no evidence that someone from the RA bid on that clock. With the other clock believed long missing, perhaps the RA isn’t worried that anyone will solve the riddle.”
Nathaniel took a healthy sip of brandy before stating, “Somehow, that single clock led your brother to Daventry.”
He nodded. “Wycliffe left no written clues for me. The earl wrote in his letter that when the riddle of both clocks is solved, it will bring to light the name of the third person who founded the RA.”
“So there were three,” Nathaniel replied.
“Daventry and another person founded the organization along with the old duke. The Duke of Montagu believed the endeavor was merely a lark; Daventry and the third man were his lieutenants. The organization wasn’t far along when the duke died. He commissioned the clocks for his own amusement, but they became insurance for Daventry. When the organization started to deal in murder, the earl wanted out.”
“He gave you no hints about the third man?”
Cecil shook his head. “The letter stated that the key to his identity lay in deciphering the symbolism of the clocks.”
“Why didn’t he just tell your brother who it was?” Nathaniel shook his head and sighed.
“Perhaps he would have if Wycliffe hadn’t been murdered. After that night, the earl sequestered himself at his estate in the countryside. His health steadily declined due, supposedly, to his advanced age. From the symptoms he described in his letter, I am more inclined to say he was being poisoned over time. Perhaps by arsenic.”
Nathaniel said, “If he’d only given you the clock when your brother died.”
“He knew I would have seen him punished for the RA’s nefarious deeds. Once he heard about my crusade to take down the RA, his solicitors were advised to give me the crate with the clock in it upon his death.”
Both men were silent for several moments.
He let out a breath. “I feel as if I’m near the end. The answer is within my grasp.”
“But Louisa has the clock. She won't give it to you, especially if she doesn’t know why you want it so badly.”
“Telling her would put her in danger.” He groaned. “By telling you, I may have put you at risk.”
Nathaniel replied, “I don’t wish to keep secrets from my wife. I’ll have to think about what I should tell her to keep her safely out of this.”
“I’ve put you in an untenable position,” he replied bleakly.
His friend shook his head. “I’m glad you told me. You needed to be able to confide in someone. What does Bones know?”
“Nobody in my household knows what was in that crate,” Cecil replied.
“You’re the only one who knows where your clock is?”
“Yes.” He added, “For your safety, I won’t tell you where I’ve hidden it.”
They both took sips of brandy, and the silence lengthened.
“Shall we join the ladies?” Nathaniel finally asked, rising to his feet. “Before my wife sends a footman to fetch us.”
Chapter Six
Louisa turned over in her four-poster bed and glanced at the clock on the mahogany side table. She couldn’t help but smile whenever she saw her prize.
She was determined to ask her brother Leopold about what had happened between himself and Lord Wycliffe that could have resulted in his disliking the viscount. The men had attended Eton together years ago. Maybe something had occurred between them at school.
