“You will have to get used to it, Lady Peake,” murmured the earl.
The comment earned him a horrified look.
“What Wrexford means is,” said Charlotte, “I’m experienced in this sort of foray, and I go in disguise.”
“In disguise?” Despite her obvious concern, the dowager couldn’t help but sound a little intrigued.
“Lady Charlotte looks very fetching dressed in breeches,” said the earl dryly. “However ill fitting.”
“Enough teasing, Wrexford.” Charlotte hesitated, suddenly aware that a choice had to be made. “I will need to go ready myself. But before I do so, we need to discuss Woodbridge and Lady Cordelia. One of the reasons for my revelations to Aunt Alison was to enlist her help and make it possible for me to journey to Cambridge.”
“With me as a chaperone, sir,” said the dowager, “it’s perfectly proper for our party to stay at your estate.”
“Raven and Hawk will demand to come, too,” Charlotte quickly added. “If I try to leave them behind, Lord only knows what mischief they might wreak.”
“It’s an excellent solution,” responded Wrexford. “As I said before, if we find Woodbridge and Lady Cordelia have taken refuge with Professor Sudler, your presence will be key, both in tempering Kit’s emotions and in coaxing the truth out of Lady Cordelia. She trusts your judgment.”
“I know it’s important that we try to unravel the truth about Peabody’s murder,” mused Charlotte. “But it seems to me that it’s even more critical to find Woodbridge. After all, he—and his sister—lies at the very heart of this mystery. If we hurry our preparations, Alison and I, along with the boys and McClellan, could leave early in the morning and reach your estate by evening. However, if I spend the night hoping to cajole Annie Wright into further revelations . . .” She hesitated.
But Wrexford merely waited, watching her intently. His silence was eloquent in its refusal to make the decision for her.
“It would mean delaying our departure,” said Charlotte slowly. “And I don’t think we should do that. Raven and Sheffield are depending on us. They asked for our help, and we can’t let them down.”
“Family and friends,” murmured Alison. “There’s a special loyalty that binds us together.”
“I agree that it’s the right decision,” said Wrexford. “It’s unlikely the barmaid is in any imminent danger.”
Silk rustled as the dowager gathered her skirts. “I’ll have my traveling carriage come around to fetch you at half past seven.”
“I’ll have my unmarked carriage meet you at your townhouse. You’ll need a second vehicle for the baggage and your lady’s maid. McClellan can ride with her,” replied the earl. “Meanwhile, I’ll alert Kit, and the two of us will leave at first light.”
For an instant, his lips thinned to a grim line. “However, I’m not sure that any of us are going to be happy with what we find.”
The dowager leaned forward, her eyes taking on a martial gleam. “Are we expecting trouble?”
“As Wrexford is so fond of saying,” replied Charlotte, “even when we don’t go looking for trouble, it seems intent on finding us.”
CHAPTER 14
Twilight had long since given way to night. And yet Charlotte couldn’t help but venture a peek out the carriage window as the coachman called out that the journey was finally at an end and they were making the final turn through the gates of Wrexford’s country estate.
Naught but shadows and amorphous shapes greeted her gaze as the graveled drive wound its way through a grove of ancient oaks.
It had been a long trip. Leaning back, she cast a guilty glance at the dowager, who had dozed off some miles ago. However comfortable the well-padded and well-sprung coach, the hour upon hour of bumping over the uneven roads had been grueling, even for the boys, who were also slumped back against the squabs.
Crunch-crunch.The carriage crested a gentle hill, and the wheels slowed, then lumbered to a halt. Light from the entrance lanterns illuminated a large courtyard. Several servants hurried out of the shadows to let down the carriage steps and open the door.
“Have we arrived?” asked Alison, her voice muzzy with sleep.
“You have, milady.” Wrexford appeared in the doorway, his breeze-ruffled hair and broad shoulders a black silhouette against the flickering lantern flames. He held out a hand to help Alison. “Allow me to assist you.”
The dowager winced as she descended the steps. “My old bones are a trifle stiff,” she admitted.
“Perhaps a glass of sherry will soothe their complaints,” he replied after helping Charlotte out of the carriage.
“I think I’d prefer brandy,” said Alison, flexing her shoulders.
The boys scrambled out on their own and stared up at the stately façade of the massive mansion, its honey-colored limestone glowing bronze in the night light.
