“His butler told you that?”
“Surprised, Mr. Barrow?”
“Yes. Most are more discreet regarding their master’s whereabouts.”
“I made up a story about our having an appointment concerning wedding matters. Since the wedding breakfast is to take place at the Thorne residence, he accepted the lie without question. I don’t know where Allendale has been all this week, nor could his butler tell me his whereabouts this morning since he did not know either. One thing for certain, he was not at last night’s musicale. Do you not think it odd for a man who is merely a week away from his own wedding to ignore his betrothed as he has done?”
“Aye, m’lord. It gives one reason to wonder.”
They rode on in silence, each lost to their thoughts.
It was not long before they reached the Inns of Court. Gory’s uncle used Mayfield & Sons as his solicitors. They were not of the finest character, but this better served Julius since he knew the senior Mayfields, the right honorable Harold and his younger brother, Reginald, who resembled a weasel, could be bribed to give him information that would otherwise be held in strictest confidence.
Julius was fairly well known in London’s business circles as well as its elite social circles, so it came as little surprise when Reginald Mayfield rushed out of his office to greet him most solicitously. “Lord Thorne! We are honored by your presence. How can I be of service?”
Julius waited until they were seated in the solicitor’s impressively large office and the door shut to afford them privacy. “The magistrate will call upon you shortly.”
Mayfield paled noticeably. “May I ask what this is about?”
Julius leaned forward and eyed him intently. “The Earl of Easton was murdered last night and his niece was badly injured.”
The man’s expression of surprise appeared genuine.
But as facts were revealed, it could turn out that this solicitor was merely a consummate actor. Julius was not of a mind to trust anyone yet.
“Will she recover?” Mayfield asked with seeming concern…or was he seeking confirmation that Gory was not going to name him as one of the assailants?
Julius nodded. “We are hopeful.”
“Thank goodness. She is an odd girl, but I would never wish her ill.”
Yes, Gory was odd. Quirky. Eccentric. Independent.
Completely brilliant.
Soft and loveable.
Mayfield cleared his throat. “How may I help you, my lord?”
“I am sure you can guess, Mr. Mayfield. Her circumstances are an open secret.”
He appeared surprised. “An open secret?”
Julius arched an eyebrow. “Her dowry is not the true temptation, is it? Lady Gregoria’s real value is in her inheritance.”
The man began to fumble with some papers on the desk before him. “I see, then you know.”
“Yes. So do not play coy with me.”
“My lord, may I ask who told you about her sizeable inheritance?”
“No, Mr. Mayfield, you may not. I make it a point never to reveal my sources. But the magistrate’s investigator is also aware and will be asking for those documents. I suggest you allow me to have a look at them first. I may be able to deflect some of his questions.”
The solicitor made a small show of appearing indignant, but Julius could see he was afraid. “Unfortunately, I am late for a client appointment and cannot show them to you at the moment. Perhaps another day?”
Julius nodded. “Tomorrow, then. But I warn you, Mayfield, you had better be ready to produce the documents, for I and the magistrate’s man will be asking for them. Do not think to conveniently lose them or destroy them, for you will be charged as an accomplice to the earl’s murder. Perhaps the magistrate will declare you the murderer.”
The man gasped. “But that is absurd!”
