“Tell me,” Roderick said quietly.
James tapped a name near the center. “The carriage account books from the month before the accident. There was a payment made to a driver who was not on my father’s staff.”
Roderick’s eyes narrowed. “You believe him a hired hand?”
“Yes. What else could it be?”
Roderick exhaled slowly. “And you’ve confirmed it was not for something innocent. A repair. A delivery.”
James’s mouth hardened. “The payment was made two days before their journey. The driver vanished afterward.”
Roderick’s gaze sharpened. “Vanished. Or was removed?”
“Either.”
Roderick leaned back, tapping his finger against the table. “And what does that have to do with the man we suspect?”
James slid another paper forward. “The same driver’s name appears in a ledger tied to Harrowby.”
Roderick’s eyes widened slightly. “Harrowby has always been careful.”
“Careful men are the ones worth watching.”
Roderick gave a low whistle. “This is something.”
“It is not enough.”
“It’s closer than you’ve been in years,” Roderick said, then softened his tone. “James… this is closer.”
James stared at the papers. “It means the death was arranged. Not merely permitted. Arranged.”
Roderick’s voice turned quieter. “And the ball?”
James looked up.
“Langford House,” Roderick said. “If Harrowby is connected, he will not miss it. Not if you are presenting your new duchess to society.”
James’s stomach tightened. “He may not come personally.”
“But someone will,” Roderick said. “Someone always does.”
James nodded once. “We will watch.”
Roderick’s grin returned, faint but present. “We will also dance.”
“No.”
Roderick laughed. “Oh, come now –”
“We are not here to discuss dancing.”
“We are,” Roderick said brightly, “if you refuse to dance with your wife.”
James’s eyes narrowed. “Stay out of it.”
Roderick held up a hand in surrender. “Very well. Then let us discuss introductions instead.”
James’s throat tightened.
