“Yes, I do,” said Lewis, straightening. “I believe he has decided that this Kalihari plant is his road to wealth and fame. To follow this road, he must get rid of any competitors. If he eliminates Owen Sedgewick and Miss Rangaswamy, he is eliminating others with the knowledge of the benefits of Kalihari. By eliminating Christopher, he achieves two things—any interest the Earl might have in India and this Paradise Medicinals would come to an end, and the Countess would be happy, as you, sir,” he said, looking at Charles, “would be the heir.”
“Me! I don’t want to be the Earl!” Charles protested. “That is too much work and responsibility.”
“It is not a matter of what you want, sir, it is what your mother wants.”
He looked back at Soothcoor. “He probably thinks to eventually get rid of you, as well, my lord. With the Honorable Charles promoted to Earl, I’m sure he thinks he will have access to more funds, as he will talk you into funding whatever he wants to do as your loving stepfather.”
“I ain’t no lobcock, to be led around,” grumbled Charles.
“Your ramshackle reputation precedes you, Charlie,” Soothcoor said. “James, Cecilia, what are your thoughts on Mr. Martin’s suspicions?” he asked. “Sounds a bit fantastical to me, but I am beginning to see the rationale.”
“When I was above stairs talking to Dr. Seeton, he said there was a doctor in London who was well-versed in exotic plants as medicine and poison. He named Dr. Lakewood. He also said Dr. Lakewood has lectured on poisons at the University of Edinburgh. But we can talk and talk amongst ourselves. However, whom we need to talk with is Lady Soothcoor,” Cecilia said. “And find out what Dr. Lakewood has planted in her conservatory, and what are her thoughts and feeling about the man.”
“A journey to Richmond,” James said.
“Yes.”
“I am loath to leave Miss Rangaswamy and Christopher here; however, Christopher should not be in a jostling carriage either.”
“I think Mr. Thornbridge and I can remain for protection,” Damon offered.
“And I will have some men outside. Today would be a good day, as my informants tell me Dr. Lakewood has a symposium he is engaged to speak at in the city,” Lewis said. “I will be hunting him here.”
Soothcoor nodded. He looked over at his brother. “Charlie, I think you should stay here as well.”
“Why? This is an adventure!” Charles said gaily.
“Which is precisely why you should stay here, as this is not an adventure,” Soothcoor said repressively. “Two people are already dead, and someone made an attempt on a third, all because of a plant that Lydia—your mother—may have growing in her conservatory. A dangerous plant, from what we are hearing. You need to discern when your carefree manner is not warranted. I know you can, lest you would not have gotten the high marks at Oxford that you did.”
“No one is supposed to know that,” Charles mumbled.
“And why is that?”
Charles shrugged.
High marks at Oxford? Cecilia looked at James. He shook his head and faintly shrugged.
“Mr. Sedgewick,” she said. “Christopher has had a harrowing experience since coming to England. Your manner is the perfect degree of levity that would do Christopher good right now.”
Soothcoor nodded. “Lady Branstoke is correct. Your frivolous and frippery manners would be the perfect nostrum for the child,” Soothcoor said, thensoto voce, “You’re near enough the same emotional age.”
Charles’s mouth kicked up in one corner. “I heard that.”
Soothcoor grunted while others held back laughter.
Cecilia rose. “I will need to change into appropriate attire for visiting. I will also see if Miss Rangaswamy has that picture of the plant she said she would draw.”
“Yes, that would prove helpful,” said James. He looked over at the clock on the mantel. “We should plan to leave at the top of the hour.”
“My lord, are you certain you are recovered enough from your journey? You pushed yourself too hard. I believe Dr. Seeton is still here. We could have him check you over.”
“That will not be necessary. Sleep was all I needed, and I got that last night.”
She smiled. “Good, I am so glad. I will be down again shortly,” she said. She turned and left them to their debates and plans.
* * *
“What dowe say is our reason for accompanying Soothcoor to visit his stepmother?” Cecilia asked as the carriage turned into the lane approaching Appleton, Lady Soothcoor’s Richmond estate.
