“Mr. Hillhouse sounds like a very interesting fellow.”
The question is whether he is also a very dangerous one.
“That he is,” replied Jeremy as he cut around a pair of laughing boys playing catch with a cricket ball.
A breeze ruffled through the air, stirring the sun-warmed scent of grass. Charlotte inhaled deeply, savoring its sweetness. She must think about bringing the boys here, and treating them to a glass of fresh milk. Hawk, who had a love for animals, would be in alt—
“Lord Sterling!” The sudden hail from behind them sounded a bit breathless.
Charlotte glanced around to see a young woman hurrying in their direction. She looked to be alone.
“Miss Merton,” began Jeremy. But his welcoming smile quickly faded on seeing her expression. “Is something amiss?”
“No . . . Yes!” Octavia Merton came to an awkward halt.
Whether her face was red from rushing or from embarrassment at making such a dramatic entrance was impossible for Charlotte to tell.
“W-What I mean is,” added Octavia in a rush, “I fear something has gone dreadfully wrong.”
Jeremy stiffened. “Take a moment to catch your breath, and then tell me why.”
Octavia gulped in a lungful of air and let it out in a lowwhoosh. “Benedict has gone missing.”
CHAPTER 14
“Gonemissing?” repeated Jeremy, his voice pinching to a sharp edge.
Aware that they were beginning to draw curious stares, Charlotte gave him a small nudge. “Let us walk,” she whispered.
“Right.” Mastering his emotions, he forced a smile and quickly offered Octavia his other arm. “Come, this way.”
To her credit, Ashton’s secretary obeyed without argument.
Setting a deliberately leisurely pace, Jeremy guided them down a path that led to a copse of trees. A breeze ruffled through the leaves overhead, casting a flutter of shadows over their faces. His steps turned even slower as the path curved deeper into the greenery, and after a careful glance around, he finally spoke.
“Now, please explain yourself, Miss Merton.”
“Benedict never returned from the toolmaker’s shop yesterday,” replied Octavia. Her earlier agitation was gone, replaced by a taut control. “He was supposed to meet with Lord Wrexford, so at first I assumed he didn’t want—” She cut off abruptly and shot a wary glance at Charlotte.
Jeremy drew in a measured breath. “Mrs. Sloane is an old and trusted friend. You may speak freely.”
But the tiny hint of hesitation made Charlotte wonder whether he truly believed that. He had always supported her decision to take up A. J. Quill’s pen, but she knew a part of him didn’t understand it.
Gravel crunched beneath their feet as they kept walking.
“At first I assumed he didn’t wish to meet with the earl,” explained Octavia. “But now I fear something has happened to him.”
Jeremy frowned in thought. “Perhaps he simply stopped by a tavern and . . . well, it would be understandable if he sought some solace from the shock of Ashton’s death.”
Octavia made a rude sound. “Benedict wouldneverhave left me in the lurch. Not with all the suspicions of—”
She shot another glance at Charlotte, but Jeremy seemed too preoccupied to notice.
“God in heavens, what do you mean?” he demanded.
“I know the newspapers have called Eli’s death the tragic result of a random attack by footpads.” Octavia lowered her voice to a whisper. “But in truth, there’s compelling evidence that itwasn’trandom. And I imagine you can guess why.”
“Say no more,” said Jeremy, darting a look around. “I think we should return to your townhouse, where we can discuss this in complete privacy.”
