“And even more important, Thornton confirmed my belief that Hollister may not be as innocent as he claims. I plan on pursuing that lead when I leave here.”
“You’re right, of course,” said Charlotte quickly. “We must think . . .” She suddenly frowned. “Something bothers me about the hat. If it doesn’t belong to Thornton, then how did it get there?”
“That’s another lead to pursue. Woodbridge frequently attends lectures at the Institution—and Children, one of our leading scientific lights, was speaking yesterday afternoon,” he replied. “As you’ve so sagely pointed out in the past, women are as clever and ruthless as men. So we mustn’t overlook his sister as a suspect. Perhaps she was spooked by my questions about the hat, and decided to cast suspicions on someone else.”
“You may leave Lady Cordelia to me. I have a good excuse to pay her a visit this afternoon.”
His brows rose in question.
Ignoring the tea tray, Charlotte picked up the book and box of cards. “I, too, have a report to make on the activities of last night. And do hear me out before you make any rude remarks,” she said, before proceeding with a quick account of her conversations with Lady Cordelia and Lady Julianna.
The earl kept his teeth clenched until she had finished. “I shall refrain from sullying your delicate ears with my true sentiments on such metaphysical habble-gabble. Let’s just say you were right to suppose my advice would be to toss the lot of it into the fire.”
“I understand your skepticism, sir. And I don’t disagree. But as I said, it gives me a reason to visit Lady Cordelia,” replied Charlotte. “It can do no harm, and if perchance her expertise in mathematics can make any sense of this—” She held up the papers given to her by Lady Julianna. “Then some good may come of it.”
Wrexford uttered something unintelligible. She didn’t bother asking him to repeat it.
“I haven’t said anything to Raven about this,” added Charlotte. “He’s still just a child, and sees enough of humanity’s darker side without being exposed to philosophies that might be . . . unsettling.”
“In that, at least, we are in full agreement.”
Seizing the opportunity to change the subject, she asked, “What about Hollister? Have you any idea on how to manage a meeting with him?”
“As it happens, he resides at the Albany Hotel—just one floor above Locke’s rooms,” answered Wrexford. “I should have seen that connection sooner. But be assured that I intend to pry out whatever secrets he’s hiding when next we speak.”
We all have secrets,thought Charlotte. That didn’t mean Hollister’s would help save Nicholas. But she told herself not to lose hope.
“If he has any information that may stay the hangman’s hand, I’m sure you will find it.”
His jaw tightened for an instant—her platitude didn’t fool him in the least.
“I will do my best.”
“That is all we can ask of ourselves.” Another bromide, but it was all she could summon. But as he nodded and turned to take his leave, Charlotte suddenly recalled a happier topic. “Before you go, I have one last matter to discuss. I promised Hawk that I would take him to see Sir Joseph Banks’s exotic botanical collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Would you mind if we make use of your unmarked carriage and undercoachman first thing tomorrow morning for the visit?”
“The carriage is always at your command,” responded Wrexford. “Raven doesn’t wish to accompany you?”
“He would rather stay and help Mr. Tyler in your laboratory—but only if it meets with your approval. You must feel free to say something if his presence is a distraction.”
“On the contrary. He’s a very bright lad, and is proving to be a very able assistant.” The earl paused for thought. “Indeed, heappears quite curious about science, and it seems to me that advanced lessons might be in order. They would, of course, require an additional tutor, as Mr. Linsley doesn’t have the necessary expertise.” His expression turned tentative. “I would hope that we won’t have to brangle over financial arrangements—”
“No,” she interrupted. “As you pointed out last time, friendship shouldn’t be measured in guineas and pence.”
“Excellent, then I will go ahead and find the appropriate person and make the arrangements.”
“Thank you, Wrexford.” Charlotte smiled.For making even the darkest moments seem a bit brighter.
The shadows in his eyes lightened ever so slightly. He nodded—no other words were necessary. They understood each other perfectly.
As the door clicked shut behind him, she turned her attention back to the items on the tea table. The plume of steam from the pot had faded away, but the swirl of colors on the cards reminded her of the challenges ahead.
Nulla tenaci invia est via.For the tenacious, no road is impassable.
* * *
Lost in thought, Wrexford entered his workroom and took a seat at his desk, intent on reading the book on Aldini’s work that he had just purchased on his way home. It was too early to seek out Hollister, and perhaps more information on Vitalism would help—
Theclinkof glass drew him from his musing.
