Bella crossed the room to sit by Lady Malmsby.
Lady Malmsby took Bella’s hands in hers. “You, dear child, have had an eventful few days since you came to stay here. Perhaps you would have been better staying at Mivart’s Hotel!”
Bella shook her head. “No, no, not at all. I would have gone to the solicitor’s by myself. The information they passed to me was overwhelming. I should have been quite undone.”
“I doubt that,” said Lady Malmsby. “You are a resourceful, strong woman. And consider, Lord Candelstone might not be with us now if you hadn’t rushed to stem his loss of blood.”
Bella demurred.
“Well, luckily we will never know,” Lady Malmsby said. “What I want to tell you about is the discussion I had with Lord Malmsby this morning.” She shook her head, silver-gray curls bouncing slightly. “I thought I knew my son. I was vastly mistaken… He will have private conversations with a couple of the cabinet members to suggest a foreign mission for Candelstone that will get him out of the country for at least a year. He said there is support in the government for Candelstone’s intent to suppress these riots against machines. For one, Lord Castlereagh is a supporter.”
“Oh, dear,” Bella said.
“Yes. There is, however, agreement that Candelstone’s methods need… well,adjustingwas the word Malmsby used. He says Candelstone has leaped to fill a void. He will suggest that sending Candelstone away for a year will allow them to put people in place to control these riots who are not fanatics like Candelstone.”
“But where would they send him that he wouldn’t cause issues?” Bella asked.
“He told me Lord Liverpool and some others have received requests from a gentleman from the South Americas, who has asked for help from England. His name is Simón Bolívar.”
“I have not heard of him,” Bella admitted.
“I believe I saw him mentioned in a newspaper regarding Spain taking back New Granada last year. This gentleman is in the Caribbean at the moment. He has been fighting to free the South and Central Americas from Spanish rule, and has pledged to ensure they outlaw slavery in these areas if he is victorious.”
“That is certainly an incentive,” Bella said.
“Malmsby tells me there are many reasons for England to wish him success, but we can’t enter into another war right now, particularly with Spain, an ally. We do need to know more about this Bolívar gentleman, however. Malmsby is proposing sending Candelstone to investigate Bolívar and get a firsthand idea of what is going on in that part of the world. We will want to know if his actions could negatively impact our colonies in the area.”
Bella considered the idea. Then she smiled. “It might answer.”
“I did not know Lord Malmsby was so knowledgeable about politics. He never talks politics, though I know he takes his duty to the House of Lords seriously,” Lady Malmsby said.
“Did he tell you he no longer researches or writes about King Arthur?” Bella asked.
“He did. I was shocked.”
“I think he out pranked you, your grace, keeping his change in interests and activities secret.”
Lady Malmsby blinked, then laughed. “Yes, he certainly has! And I love that. He has certainly put me on my mettle.”
CHAPTER11
TEA
Bella was in a calm frame of mind by the time the maid arrived with tea. She and the Duchess talked of fashion, upcoming weddings, and the unusually cool and rainy weather. By unspoken agreement, they chose not to speak of the shooting or Bella’s revelations concerning Sir Harry. Bella welcomed the diversion and silently blessed the Duchess for her wisdom.
Close behind the maid came the gentlemen, and Bella knew her peace to be at an end.
“Have you solved the mystery amongst you?” Lady Malmsby half-humorously asked as they entered. She signaled to the maid that she could serve.
The Duke shook his head. “And we have gone over the guest list with Mr. Martin.”
“What about that young man who was first out the door? I remember where I’ve seen him before. My brother pointed him out to me at the RA. Andrew told me his name is Reggie Stafford. He said he used to be Candelstone’s secretary, and has had a hard time finding another suitable position after Lord Candelstone abruptly retired,” Bella said. “He might have some animosity for Lord Candelstone,” she said, as she accepted a cup of tea from the maid.
“In that case, Lord Candelstone would be the intended victim, not the substitute as Lord Candelstone has alluded.” Mr. Martin said.
“Reginald Stafford? Baron Stafford’s youngest boy?” asked Lady Malmsby. “I saw him on the stairs as I heard the gunshot. It couldn’t have been him.”
“Could someone gain entrance to the ball who wasn’t on the guest list?” Mr. Martin asked.
