Langdon nodded and tried his best to outline the series of events. He filtered out the deception he had perpetrated on Elizabeth, still ashamed of tricking her. “To sum it up, the home office secretary refused to allow Stanton to delve any further into the matter.”
“Pardon my ignorance, but I find it hard to believe that Stanton would let something like this go, no matter how miniscule the charge. It goes against the credo.” The perplexity in his tone spoke of his concern.
“My thoughts exactly. I have a lead that I intend to follow. Perhaps you would like to join me this afternoon in questioning a suspect?” His next step was to call upon Pike and see if he could gain any information from the man. Henderson was out of town, and he needed someone savvy like Farnsworth in case there was trouble. “Between the two of us, we might get some answers.”
“I would gladly assist, but I must warn you, my time is limited. I have another pressing matter I have to attend to in the upcoming fortnight.” He tilted his head, blue eyes meeting Langdon’s. His stare revealed nothing.
“Understood. As for Mrs. Adare, rest assured that I will sort this out. She deserves answers.” Tenet business was performed under the cloak of anonymity. The fewer questions asked, the safer for those involved.
Chapter Fifteen
Elizabeth entered the breakfast room, her spirits high. The previous night had replayed itself over and over in her head, the good far outweighing the bad. Coburn was seated at the table, reading his newspaper. His thick auburn hair was carefully combed, a hint of grey at his temples. With a lightness in her step, she went to the sideboard and made a plate, a silly grin on her lips the entire time. She dared not look too closely at why. After making herself a plate, she sat across from him. “Uncle, the vicar in Upper Waverley has asked me to inquire about a solicitor for one of his parishioners. He heard of a man named Pike, do you know of the gentleman?”
Coburn put his paper down, frown lines showing between his strong eyebrows. “I have not met the man personally, but his reputation is shady from my understanding. A few years back he was reputed to have acted as liaison for a man who bilked some investors out of a sizable sum.”
Elizabeth stirred her tea and tried to keep her features composed. The news came as no surprise. Randell was unprincipled in his dealings with his tenants as well as the villagers. It would make sense that he would retain a man with no scruples. “Why wasn’t he arrested?”
“Pike claimed he was only acting on orders. Those who lost out on the deal where too embarrassed to insist upon retribution and the matter was allowed to drop.” He heaved a heavy sigh, one thumb caressing the handle of his cup. Disapproval was etched into his downturned mouth.
“A pity.”
“Yes, a great pity.” He seemed to catch himself and pushed the cup away. “If you would prefer, I could recommend a good man.”
“That would be most excellent,” Elizabeth said, keeping up the pretext of her lie. Guilt hit her, but she pushed it aside. She was on a mission and there was no room for faltering.
The rustling of crisp paper broke the companionable silence. Her uncle laid down a portion of the paper. She stared at it with envy. Her father refused to spend the money for the paper. He barely allowed any household funds for anything even semi-frivolous.
With eager eyes, she perused one particular article and halted the bite she’d lifted to her mouth. Excitement skittered across her skin and she gripped the fork with more force. “I see there is mention of the Zander Trading Company.”
“Yes, it would seem the man has had another successful venture,” he said from behind his paper.
Common sense whispered to absorb the information provided by the paper and keep her mouth shut. Ever since she had hatched her daring scheme, she had kept her alias close to her chest. She had no intention of disclosing it now, but she was curious to get his opinion on her alter ego. “Do you know him?”
“I know very little about the man other than the fact he has the Midas touch for speculation, and he is a generous philanthropist as well.”
“You have never met him?” she asked, knowing very well he had not. Zander’s very anonymity made the endeavor a success. His identity had to remain a secret or all of those involved could face dire consequences.
“No, but I am on the board of directors for the Zander Trading Company. Why do you ask?” He lowered the paper once more and cast a speculative stare in her direction.
She shrugged and added some milk into her tea. Her penance for her overall crime—because she had committed a crime—was to make sure the money she made benefited the greater good. Lifting the spoon, she stirred. “My father mentioned a desire to do business with the man.”
“He is very elusive in his choice of investors,” Lord Coburn cautioned.
“He allowed you to invest, which sounds like a great honor.” When she executed her initial investment through the trading company, she had targeted several rich men, hoping to expand the endeavor. Her uncle had been one of them. It had been a gamble to bring him into the fold via her solicitor. Because a woman couldn’t truly sign a contract, she had needed more than one person whom she trusted to see to the company, and her own, best interests.
