“The toolmakers who’ve been fashioning parts for ourexperiments have an inkling of what Eli was doing,” answered Octavia. “And some of the investors might have a general idea that a new concept of valves is involved. But the devil is in the details. The exact design is exceedingly complicated, and I doubt there is anyone capable of imagining his creative thinking.” The tiny tic of hesitation seemed amplified by the stillness of the room.
“Except, of course, for Benedict,” she added softly, “who knows the plans by heart.”
“Then I daresay we need to find Mr. Hillhouse,” said Wrexford, “as it appears he is a key to unlocking this mystery.” Paper crackled as he tried to focus on the tiny mathematical equations scrawled on the margins. His mind suddenly felt muzzy with lack of sleep.
“However, there’s nothing more to be accomplished at the moment. We all need clearer heads before attacking our appointed tasks.” He touched a hand to his jaw and felt the faint prickle of whiskers rasp against his flesh. It stirred the uncomfortable sensation that he was missing something.
And yet he couldn’t put a finger on what it might be.
The demands of the here and now pushed the thought aside. “Sterling, you must see Miss Merton safely back to Mayfair. And I suggest you do it now, before the city begins to stir to life.”
Jeremy nodded. Octavia rose and gathered her cloak.
“One of the lads will lead you out to where a hackney can be flagged down without attracting unwanted attention.”
Raven nudged his younger brother. “Ye heard His Nibs. Take them out te High Street, and be quick about it.”
Charlotte waited until the sound of hurried footsteps had faded into the night before asking, “So, what do you make of this latest twist, sir?”
Wrexford couldn’t help but quirk a smile. “You’re the one who’s attuned to interpreting intuition, Mrs. Sloane. Mylimited intellect must depend on facts and logic. Both of which are proving damnably elusive in this case.” He took a moment to twist the drawings into a tight roll. “Fetch me some twine, Weasel.”
Raven looked loath to leave, but hurried toward the kitchen.
“My sense is that Miss Merton is telling the truth,” said Charlotte.
“The truth as she understands it,” muttered the earl.
The candle sputtered as wax dripped down the pewter stick. It was burning low.
“There’s that,” conceded Charlotte. After a lengthy pause, she continued, her voice betraying a troubled note. “There are tantalizing leads, but precious few facts. So much seems to depend on Mr. Hillhouse, and whether he’s a force of good or evil.”
“Kind o’ like a complicated mathematical equation.” Raven materialized from out the gloom and held out a length of twine. “Ye know, where ye have te figure out the value ferxorybefore ye can work out the correct answer.”
“Precisely, lad,” replied Wrexford. He started to secure the roll but was only half-aware of his fingers working the knots.Out of the mouth of babes. . . the boy’s words had stirred an even sharper sense that he was forgetting something.
Charlotte looked up with a start. “Mathematics!” she exclaimed. “Why, we’ve made no mention of the page of numbers you found in Hollis’s rooms. And yet his dying words said the answer to Ashton’s death was in the numbers.”
Damnation.Wrexford felt like an idiot.
“I take it you haven’t heard anything from the professor at Cambridge?” she asked.
The earl shook his head. “I shall write to him again. But Henning came earlier this evening with proof they were written by Hollis.” He quickly explained about the note left for Nevins and how they still had no clue how to interpret thestrange jumble. It was a reminder of how his usual clarity had been strangely clouded during this investigation. The reason why was not something he cared to contemplate.
And yet he must.
“Wrexford . . .”
Charlotte’s sharpness roused him from his momentary brooding.
“I must ask you an uncomfortable question.”
“Go on,” he drawled. “I daresay you’d do so with or without my permission.”
She didn’t smile. Not a good sign, he decided, though he wasn’t sure what misdeed of his had brought such a serious expression to her face.
But first Charlotte turned to Raven. “It’s time to return to your aerie. You must get some sleep if you are to be sharp enough to keep watch on our suspects.” Seeing he was about to argue, she raised her voice a notch, something she rarely did with the boys. “Go.” Her lashes flicked, darkening the shadows around her eyes. “I need to have a word with His Lordship in private.”
Raven looked unhappy, but reluctantly obeyed. Charlotte waited until she heard the creak of the stair treads before clearing her throat.
