James laughed. “My wife is eager to shed Waddley’s. I have not seen the papers; however, knowing her feelings, I assume they are more than fair.” His expression shifted to a serious mien. He shifted forward. “That is a part of the events in her life she wishes to put behind her.”
Damon Partridge nodded. “No need to say more. I had Waddley’s investigated for my father. He would not have made an offer without fully understanding the history of Waddley’s, along with the state of the ledgers. The name will be changed immediately on signing the papers.”
James’ expression relaxed. “I’m glad we understand each other. But I did not come here today to discuss Waddley’s. I’d like to learn about Paradise Medicinals.”
A closed, shuttered expression took over Partridge’s face. “What is it you want to know? I can tell you it is not taking any more investors at this time. How did you come to hear about Paradise?”
“Indirectly through Owen Sedgewick.”
“Indirectly?”
“Six months ago Sedgewick thought he was dying, so he put his son and his son’s nursemaid aboard a ship for England and entrusted the nursemaid with a packet of papers. With Soothcoor up north, she gave me those papers to see if they could provide any clue as to why someone would want to kidnap Sedgewick’s son.”
“Kidnap Christopher?” Damon exclaimed, leaning forward.
“You know of Sedgewick’s son?”
“I was in India when he was learning to walk. He was the joy of the Sedgewicks.”
“You say ‘the Sedgewicks’—you believe they were married?”
“Iknowthey were. Sedgewick showed me the marriage certificate. Said he couldn’t brute it about because of Company rules and all.” He waved his hand and scowled. “But tell me about Christopher and Sedgewick. You say Christopher is kidnapped and Sedgewick is dead?”
“Christopher has been recovered, and regarding Sedgewick, we don’t know that for sure; however, I believe we can assume he is dead. His physician in India told him he did not have long to live, which is why he sent Christopher and Miss Rangaswamy to England.”
“Rani Rangaswamy?”
“Yes.”
Damon Partridge rose and walked to a cabinet on the side of the room. He drew out a bottle of brandy and held it out toward James.
“Yes, I will have some.”
Partridge brought the bottle and two glasses back to the desk. He poured out the brandy and handed a glass to James. “I suggest you guard her well,” he said as he poured a glass for himself. He took a sip and sat down. “That woman is Paradise Medicinals.”
James, about to take a drink, placed both feet on the floor and lowered his hand to place the glass on the desk. Anything he might have expected Damon Partridge to say went out of his thoughts. He stared at the man across the desk. “Explain.”
Partridge took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Rani, or Miss Rangaswamy, as you know her, was trained in Ayurvedic medicine by her aunt, who was a noted healer in Bombay.”
“The only family relations she has talked about is her uncle and her cousin. She seemed to have revered her uncle.”
“Yes, she did, for he rescued her from an orphanage when her mother died, and her father couldn’t be bothered with her.”
“Do you know who her father is? Miss Rangaswamy does not.”
“Yes. Owen Sedgewick knew, as he investigated her before he brought her into his household, particularly as her cousin had a reputation as a wastrel. He had a long conversation with her uncle, who has repudiated worldly goods.”
“Yes, Miss Rangaswamy told us about her uncle.
“It was from him, the uncle, that Sedgewick learned of Miss Rangaswamy’s Ayurvedic knowledge.”
“I see. Mr. Partridge, would you consider dining with us tonight? I would my wife hear all of this directly.”
“I should be delighted to meet Lady Branstoke.”
“And she you, as well. We are not keeping city hours. If you could come at, say six o’clock?”
“I can do that.”
