“All the same, his lurking on the list of heirs should inspire the royal dukes to greater enthusiasm for marriage.”
“So it should. What of your mysteries?”
As they settled at the table, she told him about the Hartleys.
“They may not reply,” he said. “We don’t know what drove Diane Dauntry to flee. If she was treated cruelly, she might have written to her parents about it.”
“And they will shun anything Braydon? I find it hard to believe that her husband was cruel.”
“Some weak men turn vicious when affronted. And then there’s his mother.”
“Yes, indeed. The dowager is capable of tyranny. She might even have thought it her duty to check a wild spirit.”
Edward brought in the dishes and tea service, then left, closing the door.
“Is there any progress in your investigation?” Kitty asked as she made the tea.
“We’ve decided to find out what we can about thethree princes and the way the meeting was arranged, but other than that, no.”
“What of the Princess of Wales?”
“A possibility, but in that case, we’d need to find her agent. Damnation! Your pardon.”
Kitty smiled and waved away any concern about strong language. “What?”
“I should have realized that makes nonsense of it. Even if she sent someone from Italy to do what harm he could, the chance of that person happening to find out about the hastily arranged meeting defies belief. It has to arise out of the princes’ households.”
As they ate their soup, Kitty considered the situation. “What did the princes do when the alarm was raised?”
“Fled to the safety of Carlton House. Why?”
“Only that random questions might help. What, precisely, was the purpose of the meeting?”
“According to Sidmouth, to spur the Regent into taking up his duties. The plot did bring him racing up to London. Result achieved? Danger over? Your random questions are effective.”
She smiled at the compliment and helped herself to stewed oysters. At least Kingdom was prompt to please. “Whom else do you have to discuss this with? Major Beaumont and Sir Stephen?”
“And another, the Earl of Charrington.”
“Such high circles I’m brushing against!”
He gave her a look. “I’m sure some of the men who attended the Kit Kat Club were of high rank.”
“Ah, so you heard that term. It wasn’t at all political.”
“I never imagined it was.”
“It wasn’t all frivolity, either. The talk was often of weighty matters, especially to do with the war. As for high rank, the noblemen were nearly all younger sons.” Shetook some bread and buttered it. “Is the Earl of Charrington a friend?”
“An acquaintance only, but a friend of Beaumont and Ball. He came up to Town to deal with some business and probably wishes he hadn’t. You’ll meet him tonight. I invited him to join us at the theater, along with the others.”
Kitty was pouring herself more tea, and paused. “Andwives, I hope.”
“You worry about being in only male company?”
“Not worry, precisely, but in public I’d rather present a more commonplace appearance.”
“Impossible.”
