Wrexford considered the question. “On second thought, I’ve decided we should wait. I doubt that the fugitives are planning to return, so there’s little risk in delaying.” He had refastened the fancy lock on leaving the workshop. “I want Tyler to see all the machinery that was used to fabricate the device, in case it sparks any ideas.”
Charlotte gingerly settled onto the sofa, suddenly aware of how the morning riding had required the exertion of long-unused muscles. “Where is Alison?”
“Higgins informed me that the dowager retired to take a nap after having nuncheon with the Weasels.”
The mention of food made her realize she was famished, as well as sore. “Might we ring for tea?” she asked as Sheffield sat down beside her. “And then perhaps the three of us should discuss what to do next, before the boys finish being boys and Alison wakes from her slumber.”
A maid was summoned and sent to fetch refreshments.
“Would that she could return with some facts for us to chew on,” muttered the earl. “With what we know right now, there’s not much to discuss. There seems little more we can learn here, so I see no choice but to return to Town.”
He rose and began to pace. “We haven’t a clue as to where Lady Cordelia and her two companions have gone, so it seems to me the logical step is to begin delving deeper into Woodbridge’s mysterious bank loans.”
“And the mysterious Annie Wright,” added Charlotte.
Wrexford’s grudging nod conceded the point. He then tapped his fingertips together. “And we need to see what develops regarding the bloody knife.” A pause. “Though both Tyler and I find its discovery a little too convenient.”
“Sometimes the very act of subterfuge can tell us more than the perpetrator realizes,” mused Charlotte.
Sheffield looked a little puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“If someone is seeking to point a finger at Woodbridge, it indicates he’s a threat to them,” she explained. “Looking at it from that perspective may help us narrow down the possible suspects.”
Their friend edged forward on his seat. “Who . . . ?”
“We need more information before we can begin drawing up a list,” cut in the earl.
“Perhaps I can ferret out something useful,” said Sheffield after a moment of thought. “Until now, I’ve felt beholden to keep my promise to Lady Cordelia not to reveal the other partners in our business. But I feel honor demands that my loyalty no longer be given to her lies. They may know more than I do about her current activities.”
“And yet there were no other names listed as stockholders,” observed Wrexford.
“That’s because—” But before Sheffield could go on, an urgent knocking caused all three of them to turn to the door.
“Your pardon, milord,” intoned the butler nervously after Wrexford hurried to click open the latch. “But there’s a lady here demanding to see you.”
A cough.
“And she says it’s a matter of life and death.”
CHAPTER 17
“Thank you for agreeing to see me, milord.” Lady Cordelia peeled off her kidskin gloves as she stepped out from behind the pale-faced Higgins and entered the study. “Please forgive the rather lurid exaggeration, but I had to make sure I wouldn’t be turned away.”
She wasn’t quite so coolly composed as she wished to appear, noted Wrexford. Her hands were tremoring as she unknotted the strings of her bonnet and placed it on the side table.
Sheffield was staring in mute shock. Charlotte had settled back in her chair, schooling her expression to give nothing away.
“We’ve just ordered tea,” said the earl. “Do have a seat. It should be here in a moment.”
“Tea,” repeated Cordelia, her voice hovering between horror and amusement. “Oh, quite right. What would we do without that lifeblood from the East to lubricate all the everyday lies and subterfuges of Polite Society?”
“An interesting choice of words,” observed Wrexford.
She met his gaze without flinching. “I shall endeavor to explain them.”
“Do sit,” said Charlotte as the maid appeared with a large tray of refreshments. “There is something to be said for the power of rituals to break the ice, so to speak, and allow interactions to flow more smoothly.”
Sheffield still hadn’t taken his eyes off Cordelia. While she had studiously avoided any glance in his direction.
