“Thank you,” she said softly. She looked up at Lakehurst, concern in her large brown eyes.
Lakehurst reached over to squeeze her hand reassuringly. He thought it unfortunate they hadn’t had an opportunity to relay to Ellinbourne their misgivings about the man.
“Fortesque?” Stillworth said, sitting straighter in his chair, the air of ennui gone. “Why would you send for him?”
Ellinbourne frowned at him. “He is the local clergy. They always notified my father of a death in our church area, no matter the soul or the circumstances.”
Cassie nodded. “That is proper,” she said.
“I saw you today in the village when I passed through,” Mr. Liddle said, crossing his arms over his wide chest while he cocked his head to look at Mr. Stillworth. “You were coming out of the rectory, arguing with Mr. Fortesque.”
“Arguing with the vicar? What were you arguing with him about?” Lakehurst asked.
“That’s none of your concern,” snapped Stillworth. “And who the bloody ’ell are you, anyway?” he said, looking at Mr. Liddle.
“Raymond!” Cassie said crisply. “You will watch your language in my home.”
“Your home!” protested Mr. Tidemark.
“Yes, more so properly than the London townhouse is yours!” she snapped back, recalling him to the day of the Duchess’s visit.
“I,” Mr. Liddle began after he was sure there would be no more rebuttals, “am Harry Liddle, at your service,” he said with a bow. “I work closely with the area magistrate on various matters,” he said.
“A thief-taker.” Stillworth’s lips curled into a contemptuous sneer as he looked him up and down.
Mr. Liddle smiled.
“Oh, my,” Ursula Hallowell said, looking up at Mr. Liddle, her eyes widening.
Lakehurst held his hands up. “Everyone stop. Please. We have two concerns before us. Possibly three, and possibly related.”
“Related?” Ellinbourne said. He looked at his sister, concern etched across his face.
“We came to Baydon for two reasons. First, to help Lady Darkford dispel the lingering nightmares she’s had since the night they killed her husband. To resolve the mystery of why he died and who did it. The castle and surrounding properties and ventures are her son’s patrimony. She could not allow her fear to prevent her from ensuring his inheritance remained secure for him. Second, a man had been following her in London and asked a local street urchin to notify him whenever she went out and who visited her.”
Mr. Tidemark straightened. “Why was I not told of this?” he asked.
“Why should you be?” Cassie asked. “You wouldn’t have believed it if you were told. You would use it as another reason to send me to a sanitorium,” she said sourly.
“How did you find out about the follower and the boy?” her brother asked, his dark brows drawing together.
“We saw him follow her out of the park and we had him followed,” Lakehurst said.
“And I know the boy the man asked to spy on Lady Darkford through my charity work,” Gwinnie supplied, “so he was happy to earn coin from two sources.”
“Enterprising young man,” Ellinbourne murmured. Gwinnie grinned at him.
“Mr. Martin said Lady Darkford would be hard to protect in London. He encouraged the trip to Baydon for her safety,” Lakehurst explained.
“Doesn’t seem safe now if someone’s been murdered here,” Tidemark protested. “Don’t know why you would listen to this Mr. Martin.”
“Mr. Martin is a senior agent with Bow Street.” said Gwinnie.
“What! You told me when we met him he was a friend of your family’s.”
“He is,” Lakehurst said. “And he is with Bow Street.”
“Mr. Martin wisely recommended Mr. Liddle to us,” Cassie said.
