“No,” Benedict said. “Lack of interest. Evidently the British government, the Russians, France and the Americans are coming to the conclusion that the future is in petroleum.” Benedict gave Declan a wry smile. “Your father may be right.”
Amity was the first to recover from the shock.
“Oh, for pity’s sake.” She crumpled her napkin and tossed it on the table. “After all we went through?”
“Trust me, I was no more pleased to learn that news than you are,” Benedict said. “But that is the way of all governments, I’m afraid. There is a strong tendency toward shortsightedness when it comes to planning for the future.”
Logan regarded him from across the table. “What will become of Foxcroft’s notebook?”
Benedict smiled slowly. “An interesting question. Uncle Cornelius and I discussed the subject at some length. Foxcroft gave the notebook to me to look after. With the Crown no longer interested in his work, Cornelius and I have concluded that the notebook should go into the Stanbridge family archives.”
Declan looked amused. “My father will be relieved to know that no one over here intends to waste any more time investigating the potential for solar energy.”
“Not now,” Benedict said. “But who knows what the future holds? Today we are concerned with the prospect of running out of coal. Perhaps one day we will have the same concerns about petroleum.”
Amity noticed that Logan was smiling to himself.
“Do you have something to add to the conversation, Inspector?” she asked.
Logan picked up his coffee cup. “I was just thinking that I may have made a good investment, after all, when I sank what was left of my father’s money into American oil stocks.” He looked at Declan. “Including Garraway Oil.”
There was an acute silence as everyone stared at Logan. Penny’s eyes sparkled with laughter.
“I suspect that will prove to be a brilliant move, Inspector,” she said. “I have made a few investments in that area myself.”
Amity smiled. “If Penny says that petroleum is a good investment, you can take that advice straight to the bank. My sister has a head for making money, Inspector.”
Benedict laughed. In a moment they were all laughing, including Mrs. Houston.
Amity fixed Benedict and Declan with what she hoped was a meaningful look. “If you two gentlemen will accompany me to the drawing room, there is something I would like to say to you both.”
Benedict frowned. “What?”
Declan looked bewildered. “Something wrong, Miss Doncaster?”
“I will explain in the drawing room,” she said, trying to put a not-so-subtle emphasis on each word. She could tell by Benedict’s expression that he was about to ask more questions. She got to her feet. “Now, if you don’t mind.”
At the sight of her out of the chair all three men hastily rose. She smiled benignly at Logan. “Why don’t you stay here and chat with Penny while I talk to Benedict and Declan.”
She whisked up the skirts of her gown and went toward the door of the morning room. Benedict and Declan obediently trooped after her.
When they reached the drawing room, she closed the door and whirled around to confront her audience of two.
“What the devil is this about, Amity?” Benedict asked.
“My sister and Inspector Logan require a few minutes alone,” she said. She brushed her palms together. “The three of us have just provided that for them.”
Declan’s expression cleared. He chuckled and looked at Benedict.
“I believe this is about romance, sir,” he explained.
Benedict stared at him. “What romance?”
“The one that is blooming between Penny and the inspector,” Amity said, striving for patience.
“Ah, that romance.” Benedict smiled a self-satisfied smile. “No need to worry on that front. I took care of everything.”
Amity stared at him, dumbfounded. “And just how did you do that?”
