Captain Samuel Daggett.
“Though I’ve just learned the very sad news that Mr. Becton passed away from a heart ailment just after he arrived here in London for the symposium,” replied her brother.
Daggett seemed to excuse himself abruptly and drifted another step away from the gentleman who was speaking to him—Charlotte recognized von Stockhausen, and didn’t blame the Prussian for looking a trifle offended by the American’s rudeness.
“Horribly sad,” agreed Sir Robert. “Especially as he was planning to present a very important research report on his latest discovery.”
Was it merely her imagination, or was Daggett intent on eavesdropping? Something about his eyes—their ice-sharp intensity—had unsettled her from the moment she had met him. He appeared to be interested in an orchid on one of the display tables, but Charlotte sensed his attention was really elsewhere.
As if intent on annoying the American, von Stockhausen moved to examine a cluster of bougainvillea, forcing the captain to give ground.
“Then Professor Murray will be doubly affected by the news, since Mr. Becton was both a friend and a fellow scholar,” replied her brother. “They frequently exchanged papers and specimens.”
Her suspicions stirred by Daggett’s sly behavior, Charlotte was anxious to prevent any further talk about Becton. “If you’ll forgive us, Sir Robert, my brother wishes to see the famous South Seas collection, and I fear Aunt Alison has grown a bit fatigued from our outside walks.” She flashed an apologetic smile. “She’s resting right now, but we ought not dally too much longer.”
“Oh, don’t let me keep you!” The baronet made shooing gestures. “Sir Joseph’s treasures are not to be missed!” To Wolcott, he added, “Though I do hope to see you here again before you leave London.”
“Alas, I will be departing soon,” replied her brother. “However, I shall be returning south in a fortnight for my sister’s nuptials, and will be making a more extended stay in Town with my wife and children.”
“Excellent! You must allow me to give you an extensive tour of all our treasures here at the Royal Botanic Gardens, as well as attend one of our meetings at the Royal Society headquarters in Somerset House.”
“I shall look forward to it, sir,” responded Wolcott with great enthusiasm, and after a last exchange of well wishes, Charlotte managed to lead her brother into the adjoining corridor.
“What a splendid idea it was to come here,” murmured Wolcott as she quickened her steps. Charlotte knew she was letting her imagination run away with her, but she couldn’t help straining to hear any sound of following footsteps through the gentle whispering of the surrounding leaves.
“The sights, the scents . . .” Her brother drew in a deep, appreciative breath. “It’s a place—one could even call it a paradise—that celebrates the constant blossoming of Life.” A sigh followed. “Which,” he added, “helps soften the pain of loss.”
The light fluttered as they passed through a set of brass-framed glass doors. The air was suddenly warmer and heavy with moisture.
Yes, but even in paradise, deadly evils lurked within the shadows. Waiting to strike.
She clicked the latch shut behind her.
Let them try.
They would find themselves in for a rude awakening.
CHAPTER 15
“Isay, milord . . .” Hosack took a nervous look around and then made a turtle-like withdrawal into the upturned collar of his overcoat. It was well past midnight and the air was taking on a knife-edge chill. “Is this, er, legal?”
“Not in the least,” answered Wrexford, shifting a little to his left to allow the moonlight to flitter over the door’s lock. After studying the keyhole for a moment, he drew a steel probe from the hidden sleeve in his boot.
“But doesn’t that mean—”
“Ssssshhhhh,”warned Sheffield. “Hold your questions for later—that is, unless you wish to spend the foreseeable future as His Majesty’s guest in Newgate Prison.”
The hide-and-seek glow showed the doctor’s face had gone unnaturally pale.
“I did make it clear that this foray was bending the letter of the law,” murmured the earl.
“Don’t worry,” added Sheffield. “Wrex has never yet been caught at this.”
“Ye gods—bite your tongue.” Silent as a stalking panther, Tyler materialized from the swirls of mist. “One never voices such hubris in the middle of a mission.” To Wrexford, he added, “There are no lights lit in the adjoining section of the house. The only signs of life are in the east wing.”
The lock released with a softsnick.“So far, so good,” said Wrexford. “Let us hope our luck holds.”
Easing open the door, he motioned for the others to enter Justinian DeVere’s grand conservatory.
