“This is an investigation that requires bits and pieces versus the broad actions we’ve been accustomed to.”
“Like one of Spilbury’s map puzzles.”
“One for which we’re missing pieces,” he said with his usual laconic dryness.
Cecilia laughed. “Yes, but we will collect them all, I’m sure of it.”
“To that end, I shall have Romley spend more time at the tavern and in town to see if he can catch wind of when young Mr. Inglewood returns.”
“I could do that for you, sir!” Daniel offered from the side of the room.
James’ brow furrowed as he looked in the direction of the footman.
Cecilia laughed. She laid her hand on her husband’s arm. “He did a bit of investigating for me this afternoon and found he quite liked it,” she said quietly.
James looked back at Cecilia. “What did he do?”
“Miss Sandiford was here this afternoon to deliver some ells of cloth to me. I invited her to rest and have lemonade. In my conversation about Miss Inglewood—who she seems to idolize—I told her how dangerous pennyroyal is. She did not seem to know that, and the knowledge prompted her to leave. I had Daniel follow her. Ultimately, she met with Miss Broadbank in what appeared to be secrecy.”
“It doesn’t surprise me that so few knew the dangers of the plant… Daniel, see if you can find this gamekeeper’s cottage. I have learned it is close to the southeast corner of the Inglewood property.” James looked at Cecilia. “The gamekeeperkept chickens, and they tended to wander into the Inglewood garden. Inglewood complained; consequently, Mortlake built a new cottage for the gamekeeper on the other side of his estate.” He looked back up at Daniel. “I doubt it will be directly off the road. Lady Branstoke wants to visit the cottage, so previous knowledge of its location would help.”
“Yes, sir, I can do that!” Daniel said brightly.
“You may go now. Be sure to let Mr. Coggins know you are going on an errand for us.”
“Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”
James smiled, and Cecilia hid a slight chuckle behind her hand as the young man hurried to leave.
“Daniel was mostfervent in his desire to do a good job,” Cecilia said as she studied the small piece of paper Daniel had given them at breakfast that morning. “He’s drawn a detailed map to the old cottage.”
“I commend his enthusiasm and effort,” James said.
“Will you allow him to assist in the future?” Cecilia asked, canting her head.
“Possibly; however, I am concerned he hasn’t the maturity for caution.”
Cecilia acknowledged his concern. “Still, if we are going to continue to be involved in inquiries, it would be beneficial to have others we may direct, much like Mr. Thornbridge was an asset.”
“He appears to be an even greater asset for my cousin, judging from the letters I’ve received,” James said.
“That is good to know. I’m happy for him.”
“Even if you couldn’t match him with Miss Rangaswamy?” James asked slyly.
Cecilia sighed. “Yes, but I’ll own the Earl of Soothcoor’s half-brother has been a surprisingly successful match.”
“Why do you say ‘surprisingly’? He matches her in liveliness.”
“True,” she conceded. “And she has steadied him in other ways.”
“Mr. Thornbridge will find his way,” James said, “just as we are finding ours to this gamekeeper’s cottage. According to Daniel’s map, after that big oak up ahead, there will be a faint trail to the left that we follow.”
“I’m glad I chose to wear one of my older dresses. This wood is thick with vegetation. I’ll likely acquire burrs and seed pods on my hem,” she observed as they turned onto the path Daniel had drawn on the map. The trees were thick and nearly hid the sky. Cecilia closed her parasol. She did not need it in the shade wrought by the surrounding trees.
Together, they walked for another ten minutes before a stone cottage came into view. Without trees above, sunlight streamed down on the little cottage, burnishing its stones to a warm hue. Vines climbed the chimney and extended along the bottom edge of the roof, rooting under slate tiles green with moss and mildew. One of the glass windowpanes on the front of the building was broken, and it looked like someone had fastened a piece of leather at the opening to keep the elements out. The cottage had been built on an elevated area of land, and large, flat stones formed steps up to the front door.
“It looks in fairly good condition for being abandoned. I wonder how long ago the new gamekeeper’s cottage was built?” Cecilia said.
