Climbing the steps of the Bow Street building, he rapped his knuckles against the door, and stood back. Despite himself, he glanced over his shoulder into the bustling street. He scanned the patrons, but didn’t see anyone that resembled Francis.
The door swung open, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Good day, James,” Jasper said. “Are Miss Huntsbury and Miss Roberts in?”
The young footman nodded and opened the door wider, bowing deeply. “She’s in the?—”
“Your Grace!” Miss Huntsbury stood in the doorway to their offices. “Whatever is the matter?”
He marched across the foyer. “I received another letter from Francis, and I’m…” His voice trailed off.I’m worried.
She hummed. “Do you recall the quote?”
“I do, yes.”
With a swift gesture, she turned and ushered him inside. To Jasper’s surprise, Thomas sat upon a settee, his pale features appearing warmer in the golden sunlight through one of the large windows.
“Good day to you, Thomas.” He nodded at the man.
Thomas grimaced, but replied with an affable “Good day, Your—grunt—Grace.”
“Please be seated, Your Grace.” Miss Huntsbury took the armchair to Thomas’ right, and Jasper sat opposite. She adjusted a portable writing desk on her knees and dipped a pen in ink. “The quote?”
Jasper recalled the note—and the bolded letter—while their footman delivered tea.
Miss Huntsbury hummed. “I do not see any obvious way to interpret the quotes as hints at a location. They’re certainly visual and visceral, but they seem more to me like threats. I daresay Maria was correct:R,F,O,N,J, and nowEare a form ofnomen deminutivumintended to spellfor Jean. I imagine Maria will have some more insight, but for the moment, we oughtn’t waste more time attempting to decode something undoubtedly meant to distract us.”
Jasper’s heart gave a squeeze, and he sipped at his rapidly cooling cup of tea. The tepid liquid, while suddenly flavourless, would aid in keeping him awake for the next several hours.
The silence was broken only by Thomas’ soft grunts, clicks, and the rustle of fabric when his body twitched.
“My apologies for interrupting,” the footman—James—said from the doorway, “but an urgent missive just arrived for Miss Roberts.”
Miss Huntsbury surged to her feet and accepted the proffered letter with a murmur of thanks. Her eyes widened with hope as she noted the direction. “This is from Maria’s correspondent in the magistrate’s office.” With a swift motion, she broke the seal and read aloud.
Miss Roberts,
I’m sograteful for your friendship…
“Et cetera, et cetera,”Miss Huntsbury hummed as she scanned ahead.
I confessI’ve suspected Sir Vaughan’s involvement for some time, but I had not known to whom I should speak. When I broached the subject of Mr. Sinclair’s suspicious escape from the noose with Sir Vaughan, he made threats against my dear papa—who is already quite ill, you see. He then informed me that as I now knew and am employed by him, I would be implicated and hung alongside him should he be caught. I’ve been so frightened to speak to anyone, and I do so worry over my papa’s health should he learn the truth…
“S-s-sodding hell,”Thomas breathed, his left eye giving a hard blink.
“Too damned right,” Miss Huntsbury agreed, scanning further and flipping the parchment over.
Once he knewI was too fearful to speak out, Sir Vaughan began to confide in me. He outlined his and Mr. Sinclair’s plans to use forged documents to prove his legitimacy while simultaneously discrediting the Duke of Derby—posthumously. In return for Sir Vaughan’s aid, Mr. Sinclair, as the new duke, would support Sir Vaughan’s attempt to remove Lord Liverpool as Prime Minister…
Miss Huntsbury stopped reading,letting her hands fall to her sides as she stared in shock at Jasper.
Heart drumming against his chest and breath coming fast, Jasper cursed soundly. “This is worse than we thought. Sir Vaughan needs to be stopped, and I…Hell, I’ve been updating him on our sodding actions!”
“You couldn’t have known, Your Grace,” Miss Huntsbury replied soothingly. “But you’re correct: this is, indeed, worse than we’d thought. I must seek out the aid and advice of my previous employer. Leave the magistrate to me.”
“Might I inquire as to what tasks you assigned to Maria this morning?” Jasper asked. “She must be made aware of this news, and I’d hoped that we would discuss our next steps after our failure to capture Francis last night.”
The frown on Miss Huntsbury’s brow was swift. “I have not yet heard from her.”
