“In very stark and simple terms,” said Isobel coolly, “Lord Kirkland was blackmailing me to keep the fact that I’d been his paramour in my youth from becoming a public scandal. Elihu knew about it—I had told him, of course, before I accepted his proposal of marriage—but I couldn’t bear to have my past tarnish him and his work, just when he was on the cusp of a revolutionary new invention. So I acceded to the viscount’s demands.” She made a face. “A mistake, as once a blackmailer gets his claws into you, he never lets go.”
“I-I don’t believe you,” said Octavia, but there was less force behind her outrage than before.
“Miss Merton, you have always chosen to think the worst of me.” Isobel finally chose to meet her nemesis’s accusing gaze. “Change is upsetting, and often frightening, to people. Your cozy, comfortable world was suddenly not the same with me in it.”
Octavia’s mouth quivered, but she couldn’t seem to muster a retort.
“I don’t suppose you have proof of your claim,” asked Wrexford.
“In fact, I do,” said Isobel, a note of challenge shading her words. “If you’ll come down to my study, I’ll show you some of Kirkland’s other notes, along with a few other documents that may cast me in a different light.”
Yet another dizzying twist, thought the earl. For all their racing around had they merely been spinning in circles?
“By all means,” he replied. “I welcome the opportunity to have empirical evidence resolve the question of your guilt or innocence once and for all.”
“I trust scientific reasoning will triumph over prejudice and preconception,” murmured Isobel. “I simply ask that you keep an open mind.”
The comment brought a flush to Octavia’s cheeks.
“I am as anxious as you are to see that justice is done for Elihu.” Isobel started walking for the stairs, and then stopped abruptly as she noticed the still-as-a-statue shape sheltered within the recessed doorway. “I take it this is one of your companions, and not some errant intruder, Lord Wrexford?”
“The lad runs a network of urchins,” he replied without hesitation. “They are my eyes and ears on the streets—an invaluable and effective resource in conducting my investigations. It’s he who informed me of Kirkland’s murder.”
“Clever,” commented Isobel. Her gaze lingered on Charlotte for a fraction longer, then she continued on to the landing.
“I’ll join you very shortly,” said Wrexford, nodding a subtle signal at Sheffield to accompany the women downstairs. “I need a private word with Phoenix.”
* * *
“Phoenix,” repeated Charlotte softly, once the others were out of earshot. “I would have thought you might chooseCrow.” A pause. “Or perhapsVulture.”
“Phoenix seems far more appropriate,” replied Wrexford.
Though she deliberately avoided meeting his gaze, she could feel the heat of it on her skin.
“A bird that bursts into fire and burns to a crisp,” he continued, “only to rise from the ashes and reform itself anew.”
“Yes, I’ve changed my plumage. But not as you might think.” This was hardly the time for personal revelations, but somehow it mattered to her that he not think her favors could be bought so casually. “I have an inkling of where Mrs. Ashton might have seen me. But be assured it wasnotserving as some gentleman’s lightskirt.”
His expression was unreadable. “You’ve made it quite clear that your past is none of my concern.”
“Wrexford . . .” Charlotte hesitated.What to say?“I . . .”
The earl was quick to cut her off. “We’ve no time for personal matters right now. Mrs. Ashton’s confession must take precedence over all else.”
Including mine, thought Charlotte.
“You’re right, of course.” Reaching up, she took a moment to adjust the angle of her hat in order to compose her thoughts. “So, we need to consider logistics. I ought not come down to the study. The widow may question why an urchin needs to be present. Not to speak of the fact that the lighting will be brighter, and she’s proved herself to be a careful observer.”
The wall sconce sputtered weakly, sending up a thin plume of smoke. The oil was burning low.
“A damnable shame,” she added. “I’d very much like to hear and see what proof she offers of her innocence.”
“Your assessment is important,” replied Wrexford. “Let me think . . .”
Charlotte watched his face carefully, and was relieved to see only his usual calm concentration.
“I can say that you’ve been involved in the investigation from the beginning, and given your knowledge of London’s underbelly, it’s imperative for you to hear the evidence.”
