They all laughed. Gabriel’s grey eyes were smiling.
“There are a few details we ought to wrap up,” Ambrose said, his mien serious. He turned to his son. “Edward, why don’t you and Freddy go play a game for a bit?”
“But Papa,” Edward protested, “we’re just getting to the interesting part.”
“That’s exactly why you’re leaving,” his father said dryly.
“How am I to become an investigator like you if I can’t learn from your cases?”
“You want to be an investigator like me?” Ambrose’s brow furrowed, his gaze shifting to Marianne. She just smiled and shrugged.
“Yes, I do,” Edward affirmed, “and what is more, Freddy and I have decided to open an agency together. When we’re a bit older, of course.”
“Of course,” his father said solemnly. “Until Fredward and Associates comes to fruition, however, I’m afraid you’ll have to occupy yourself with something more suited to your age. Spillikins or quoits, for instance.”
“But Papa—”
“Boys,” Harry interrupted, “I’ve a new invention I want to test out in the garden. Care to lend me a hand?”
The boys looked at Harry and then at each other.
“Yes, please,” Fredward said as one.
“C’mon then.” Harry waved them to the door, and they scampered out.
Then he crooked a finger at Violet, Polly, and Primrose.
The girls groaned in unison.
“We’re not children, Harry,” Violet said, crossing her arms. “You can’t distract us by simply dangling a carrot.”
“No? What about this then?” Withdrawing a leather pouch from his pocket, Harry let it swing enticingly by the strings. “I guarantee it’s something none of you haveeverseen before. It’ll be a spectacle for the ages. Men would sell their soul to see it.”
The three girls consulted amongst themselves. Then they, too, got to their feet and headed for the door.
“Gadzooks, you’ve better showmanship than the ringmaster at Astley’s,” Violet grumbled as she passed him. “This had better live up to your claims.”
Thea smiled at her younger brother. “Thank you, Harry. Out of curiosity, what is in the bag?”
“A new substance I’m tinkering with. Chemically, it’s similar to gunpowder,” Harry said, “but with a bit more oomph.”
The door closed behind him.
Strathaven looked at his duchess. “Should we worry about the neighbors?”
“If we hear an explosion, yes,” Emma said.
“Before Harry blows us all to smithereens, I suggest we return to the case at hand.” Ambrose tented his fingers in front of him. “There are a few new facts I’d like to share. As it turns out, you were right, Thea.”
“About what?” Emma said.
“The state of Davenport’s finances,” Ambrose replied. “At Tremont’s request, I spoke with Davenport’s father-in-law, Mr. George Clemens, this morning. I gave him the barest details, keeping identities anonymous. A sharp man, Clemens, worthy of his reputation as London’s brightest solicitor. He was shocked at the nature of Davenport’s activities, but not with the character of his former son-in-law. He said he never trusted Davenport’s suit of his daughter, but when Lady Davenport threatened to elope, he relented and gave in. Not, however, without protecting her interests first.”
“He created a trust for her?” Thea said.
Ambrose nodded.
“How did you know that, Thea?” her sister wanted to know.
