The earl regarded him with a quizzical stare. Tyler was a sarcastic Scot, who rarely gave a hint of having any personal feelings beneath his flinty skin.
His valet returned the look, his expression giving nothing away.
In no mood for verbal sparring, he let the matter drop.
“I had better pay her a visit and inform her of what happened last night.” He’d made a copy of the hidden paper found in Hollis’s room, though he didn’t have high hopes for her deciphering its meaning. Art was her bailiwick. Numbers were numbers. Their message required a different perspective.
The thought sparked a sudden idea. “By the by, perhaps we should send a copy of the list of numbers found in Hollis’s room to Isaac Milner.”
“The fellow who teaches at Trinity College?” Tyler raised hisbrows. “Are you conceding that Cambridge has greater expertise than Oxford in the subject?”
“In this particular case, yes,” answered the earl. “Milner is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. It’s a very prestigious appointment—Sir Isaac Newton is a past holder of the chair—and it’s well-known that he’s a genius with numbers. If anyone can see a hidden message in the dratted paper, it’s him.”
“I’ll make another copy,” said Tyler.
“I’ll pen a letter to him when I return. We know each other from the Royal Institution. He can be counted on to be discreet.”
“I’m no expert with numbers but I’ll take a closer look at them, too,” added the valet. “I did a little study on the subject of cryptography, and we’ve some books in the library on the subject. Perhaps some idea will come to mind.”
Wrexford nodded absently, then returned his attention to Charlotte. “Have you got the package for Mrs. Sloane ready?”
“Yes, milord. Though it wasnoteasy to get it wrapped.” A hint of amusement shaded Tyler’s voice.
The earl ignored it. He had no idea what her reaction would be to the items he was bringing. They were, admittedly, a rather bizarre gift to celebrate the move to her new residence. But then, Charlotte was a very unconventional woman. He imagined that she might be amused.
Or perhaps she would be tempted to murder him on the spot.
His mouth twitched.Thatwould certainly sell a lot of prints. The public, bloodthirsty as they were, would take great glee in seeing the dark-as-the-Devil Earl of Wrexford hoisted on his own petard.
He rose and consulted his pocketwatch. There was no time to waste if he was to pay her a visit and then make it to his appointment with Benedict Hillhouse at the appointed hour. “Have the coachman bring the carriage around.”
* **
“Friends,” repeated Charlotte. Given the difference in their ages and interests, the connection between Elihu Ashton and Jeremy took her by surprise. “How did that come about?”
“During the last two years, I’ve had to spend a great deal of my time at the Sterling ancestral estate.” Her friend made a wry face. “I still have trouble calling itmyhome.”
Charlotte realized she had never given any thought to his life outside of London. But of course he would have responsibilities to learn, lands to oversee.
“It’s located in Hunslet,” he explained. “And it was only natural that I became acquainted with Ashton through the soirees and dinners given by local society. I liked him very much. He was a man of great intellectual curiosity and we enjoyed talking about philosophy, as well as art and literature.”
“I see,” she murmured.
“Indeed, I was so impressed with his knowledge and his progressive ideas on social reform that I decided to join the group of investors who were funding his new venture.”
Good God.
“Not only that,” went on Jeremy. “His laboratory assistant, Benedict Hillhouse, was a very good friend of mine at Cambridge. And so that was yet another reason for me to think well of him.”
Though her mind was whirring over the unexpected revelations, Charlotte forced herself to slow down and think logically. Gather all the pieces to the puzzle—they could be put together later.
“Old friendships are important,” she murmured.
“Benedict and I had lost touch over the years,” mused Jeremy. “I was very happy to rekindle the acquaintance.”
“Understandably so.” She knew little of Jeremy’s life during his university years. She and her late husband had been in Italy . ..
“He works closely with Ashton’s personal secretary,” continued her friend, “and Miss Merton’s company has proved very pleasant as well.” His expression turned troubled. “They will both be devastated by his death.”
