Could I be mistaken about her? She ought to know her heart better than I ever could. And while she and Mr. Darcy did not appear to have interests in common, maybe that would not matter. Perhaps Cassie’s beauty and overtly feminine demeanour would eclipse all other considerations in Mr. Darcy’s view, and the two of themwouldmake a felicitous match. If so, I should find a way to be happy for them.
Chapter 8: Mr. Notley’s Report
Wednesday, 9 October
Darcy House, London
Darcy
Mr. Notley arrived at our agreed-upon time, and I directed the investigator to a chair by the fireplace.
After pouring two glasses of brandy, I handed him a drink and took my seat. “I appreciate you completing this assignment so quickly.”
The investigator nodded and placed a bundle of papers on the adjacent table. “We welcome commissions from clients such as yourself. The funds provide a subsidy for our criminal investigations.” He sipped from his glass, then set it down.
“Have you identified Mrs. Cooper’s killer?”
“No, unfortunately not.” His mouth quirked downwards. “That investigation has been set aside due to more pressing crimes, including the recent murder of two children in Greenwich. No doubt you have read about the killings.”
I grimaced as the reported details of that atrocity burst to the forepart of my thoughts. “Yes, and I can well understand why that investigation would be your priority.”
“Rest assured, though, I received your letter and appreciate the information. We shall return our attention to that matter at a later date.” He untied the string binding the papers.
This afternoon, a letter from Bingley had arrived indicating he did not know Mr. Gardiner, and my valet had no knowledge of him either; so, I had awaited Mr. Notley’s arrival with a high degree of anticipation. My hand swept towards the pile of papers. “You have brought an impressive stack of documents. Have you uncovered evidence of criminal activity attributable to Mr. Gardiner?”
He tilted his head. “Not at all. After a thorough search for pertinent information that extended from the local area to Meryton, we found no indication that Mr. Gardiner conducts illegal or unsavoury business practices or associates with known criminals. He is as exemplary a citizen as you may expect to find.”
What?I set my glass on the table with a clang. “But there must have been at least a hint of wrongdoing. Could he be a drunkard or a gambler?”
“We found nothing to support either allegation.” His blue eyes narrowed. “What makes you believe he has a nefarious secret?”
“A gentleman of my acquaintance who has known Mr. Gardiner for many years has attested to his deceitful nature. Perhaps Mr. Gardiner is exceptionally clever and better at hiding his misdeeds than most.”
“What offence has he been accused of perpetrating?”
“I do not have any specifics.”
“Then perhaps you will tell me who has maligned Mr. Gardiner.”
I brushed my knuckles against my mouth. “I suppose I may depend upon your discretion.”
“Yes, of course. That is an essential component of my profession.”
“I refer to Mr. Allan Barton, who is the guardian of Mr. Gardiner’s niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Barton is unshakeable in his belief that Mr. Gardiner is a reprobate.”
The investigator frowned. “Barton? That name sounds familiar.”
I shifted in my seat. “As a matter of fact…um…I named him in my letter to you last month. He and Mr. Walter Rowe have cleft chins, and they both spent most of August in town.”
“Ah yes.”
“Of course, I do not believe either of them could be Mrs. Cooper’s murderer.” I drank from my glass. “At any rate, Mr. Barton is convinced of Mr. Gardiner’s dishonest nature and has taken pains over the years to ensure the man cannot come near Miss Bennet.”
“I see.”
“Did you conduct the investigation of Mr. Gardiner yourself or did others do the work?”
“Three of our men assisted me on this assignment. Each member of our team is efficient and adroit. We elicited intelligence from Mr. Gardiner’s current and former servants, friends, acquaintances, neighbours, and business associates.”
