“Alas, I have been abroad for many years.And the war has made British newspapers so difficult to acquire in Canada.”
“Canada,” Tabitha repeated.
“Indeed yes.I have lived there for more than twenty years.My son was born there.”
Jack decided to move things along.“How very interesting,” he murmured.“I had no idea that they made brandy in Canada.”
Mr.Smith cast him a quick glance, rather engagingly rueful.“Hush, my friend, I am told the revenue men are everywhere.They do not make brandy in Canada, of course—or, at least, nothing you or I might recognize as such—and it would certainly make an unnecessarily long smuggling route from France to England.But consider the difficulties of His Majesty’s loyal subjects shipwrecked off Brittany.There were limited routes home, and we were lucky enough to find one.So who is the earl now?Althorpe’s son?”
Tabitha sipped her wine.“Althorpe was granted only daughters, of whom Lily here is the youngest.It is his nephew who inherited.Bramley’s son.”
“Ah, I see...Well, it has been very pleasant to speak to the wife of such an old friend.I do hope we meet again.”
“As do I,” Tabitha said cordially.“Perhaps we might hear more of your adventures.”
“I trust so.”Smith bowed to her and to the company in general and walked away to be met by Rains, lumbering through from the kitchen once more to show Smith’s party the way.
Jack ate another forkful of the stew.
“And they’ve gone the other way along the passage,” Tabitha murmured beside him, “to rooms at the front of the house.I suppose that is another reason why we are at the back.”
“You were never meant to see them,” Jack agreed, “let alone speak to them.”
“Or everything could just be about the brandy and an unfortunate shipwreck.”
“You believe Smith’s story?”Jack asked.
“I’m not sure I believe anything he says, though to be sure he does not sound remotely French.”
“Until you hear him speak in that language.He must have lived there many years.”He broke off, becoming belatedly aware that Lily and the lieutenant were watching them in astonishment, their eyes shifting from one to the other to follow the quick conversation.He gave a diffident smile, forgetting his new role.
“Tabbie, do you and Mr.Johns know each other?”Lily demanded.“I mean, before this evening?”
“We met once upon a previous journey,” Tabitha said airily.She lowered her voice again.“And we discovered earlier this evening that we shared the same suspicions about this house.”
“Sothatis where you went,” Lily said.
“And the same suspicions about his lordship’s old friend there?”Meade asked.
“I can’t imagine Papa making a friend of a mere Mr.Smith who went to Canada,” Lily said frankly.“I think he made that up as an excuse to talk to you.”
“Yes, but why?”Tabitha wondered.
Lily laughed.“Oh, Tabbie, why do you think?”
“You mean he is pursuing my widow’s portion?”
“Not quite.I can see I am going to have to take you in hand at Lady Hawthorn’s.Doyougo to Hawthorn Court, Mr.Johns?”
Jack blinked.“Oh, no.I am not acquainted with Lady Hawthorn.”
“I’m sure we could arrange that,” Tabitha drawled.“You seem to be just the sort of gentleman she would like to be acquainted with.”
Jack met the mocking gaze.“Why do I have the feeling that is not a compliment?”
Meade grinned.“I’m sure it is, you know.According to my mother and sisters, hostesses are always looking for eligible, unattached young gentlemen.”
“Sadly, I qualify on none of those grounds,” Jack said, “except youth, and time will take care of that.I am, in fact, expected elsewhere.”
