Page 34 of Dead Beside the Thames
With that decided, Barnaby declared the meeting concluded, and the boys dispersed, chattering happily with each other as they headed out of the churchyard.
Rather affectionately, Barnaby watched them go, then headed for the street to find a hackney to take him home. While he walked between the graves, a notion he’d been toying with resurfaced in his mind. He really should speak with Curtis, who owned and ran the Curtis Inquiry Agency, as to whether he might take on some of the older lads and train them up as inquiry agents. It would be useful to have a properly trained group on whom to call, and the boys could certainly make use of more steady employment leading to a potential career.
Barnaby made a mental note to speak with Curtis once this case was closed, then stepped out of the churchyard onto the pavement and, raising a hand, hailed a hackney.
CHAPTER 7
Claudia sat beside Charlie in the hackney, which was drawn in to the curb along Bury Street, opposite and two houses down from Bryan’s lodgings.
She glanced at Charlie. “I’m sorry it’s taking this long. I thought they would all have left by now.”
Her brother shared a house with three other young gentlemen, all sons of the nobility.
Charlie smiled complacently. “Young gentlemen of their age frequently lie abed until noon. Understandable given they often don’t hit the sheets until the small hours.”
Claudia huffed. “Yes, well, they could be more accommodating.”
Charlie chuckled, then, in an obvious effort to distract her, asked where she’d grown up, and she responded by telling him of the Rattenby estate. It passed the time, and he seemed to be genuinely interested in her answer.
Seizing the chance to satisfy her own curiosity, she asked about his childhood and learned that his family hailed from Surrey, and although he didn’t precisely say so, she got the impression that the family line and principal estate were ancient.
“However, we were never ennobled.” He didn’t seem at all put out by that. “We Hastings have always opted for a quiet life.”
Considering him, she found no difficulty believing that. The realization brought a smile to her lips. There was something intrinsically comforting about being with someone who preferred calm and peace to the hectic round that was the normal state of life in the ton.
Glancing at the buildings, she saw two well-dressed young gentlemen come out of the front door of Bryan’s lodgings. She sat up straighter. “At last!”
The pair conferred, then set their hats on their heads, descended to the pavement, and set off with insouciant strides, heading south on the opposite side of the street. Claudia watched them walk away, then turned to Charlie. “Let’s go.”
Obligingly, he opened the carriage door, stepped down to the pavement, paused to confirm the pair hadn’t turned back, then helped her down.
Without waiting for him to offer his arm, she looped her arm in his, and they crossed the street and went up the steps. Charlie plied the brass knocker on the front door.
The door was opened by a neatly attired man of average height and build, with wiry brown hair lightly touched with gray. The man looked at Charlie questioningly, but then recognized Claudia and bowed. “Lady Claudia.”
“Good morning, Hughes.” Claudia was relieved to be recognized; she and her mother had only visited once before. She waved at Charlie. “This is Mr. Hastings, a friend of the family. If we might have a word?”
“Yes, of course.” Hughes pulled the door wider and bowed them in. He shut the door, then looked a trifle uncertain. “Ah…the drawing room?”
“Yes.” Claudia turned to the left. “It’s this room, isn’t it?”
Hughes murmured an assent and quickly moved to open the door.
Claudia noticed that he peered around the door and swiftly scanned the room before standing back and waving her and Charlie inside.
On crossing the threshold, she understood Hughes’s hesitation. The cushions were rumpled, and there were sporting magazines scattered over every surface. Ignoring all, she drew in her skirts and sat on the sofa. As Charlie came to sit beside her, she looked at Hughes. “Is Mrs. Hughes available? If we could speak with both of you at once, it will save time.”
“Of course.” Hughes bowed. “I’ll fetch her.”
He departed, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Claudia leaned closer to Charlie and whispered, “Mr. and Mrs. Hughes act as staff for all four lodgers. I believe there are no other staff here.”
“That’s probably wise,” Charlie murmured. “Young men, wild oats, and all that.”
Claudia hadn’t previously thought of that, but it made sound sense.
Mr. Hughes returned, ushering in his wife, who was shorter than he but at least twice as wide.
