And now?A smile crept, unbidden, to his lips as he watched the conversation.
Charlotte moved back a step as Sheffield and Cordelia began a more animated exchange. Limned in the glow of the Argand lamps, her profile—all the familiar little shapes and angles of her face—looked even more lovely in contrast to her ragged urchin’s garb.
He must have moved, for she turned her head....
And the spark that came alight in her eyes lifted the worst of the darkness from his spirits.
“Wrexford!”
Everyone turned. Harper looked up guiltily, still chewing on another piece of ham that Hawk had filched while no one was paying attention.
“Thank goodness you’re here,” continued Charlotte. “Sheffield has made an important discovery.”
“As have I.” The earl came into the room and shrugged off his sodden coat. After eyeing the teapot for an instant, he blew out his cheeks. “But the information might go down a bit easier if accompanied by a swallow of whisky.”
“I’ll go fetch the bottle, sir,” offered Hawk, shooting to his feet.
“Thank you,” replied Wrexford. To Harper, he added, “You! Stay where you are. It’s bad enough that you’re getting fat. I’d rather not have you get foxed, as well.”
The hound responded with an aggrieved whuffle.
“Sit,” ordered Charlotte as she fixed the earl a slice of bread topped with cheddar and the last morsel of meat. “You look dead on your feet. Eat, while Sheffield tells you what he’s uncovered.”
“It was exceedingly clever of him,” said Cordelia. “It showed both imagination and initiative to see the trail of clues and follow them.”
Sheffield’s face altered . . . though Wrexford found his expression impossible to read.
“Now get on with it, Mr. Sheffield,” chided Cordelia. “Don’t keep His Lordship in suspense.”
As Wrexford wolfed down his food, Sheffield explained about his hunch concerning Fenwick Alston and his peregrinations in following up on it.
“Sir Darius Roy?” the earl interrupted when their friend came to that part of the story. “Why does that name ring a bell?”
“We knew him at Oxford. A very interesting fellow and, like you, curious about a great many subjects. He left his studies early to accompany a diplomatic mission to the Far East. Since then, he’s made quite a name for himself as an intrepid adventurer and explorer,” replied Sheffield. “Less well known is the fact that he works with the Foreign Office in dealing with sensitive diplomatic matters in exotic parts of the world.” A pause. “It turns out he has excellent connections with both India and China.”
Before he could go on, a call from the professor rose up from behind the Computing Engine. “Lady Cordelia! Come, we’re ready to run the calculations!”
“Drat.” Cordelia made a face. “We must get the numbers done tonight, so I had better go help him.”
“I’m sure Sheffield will be happy to give you a full report once you’re done,” said Charlotte.
His quick nod confirmed the offer.
As Cordelia moved away to join Sudler and Raven amid the clack-clacking of the moving rods and gears, Hawk returned with the whisky, and Wrexford poured three healthy measures into the empty cups.
Charlotte accepted the spirits without protest. She, too, looked tired and tense. Wrexford felt a frisson of guilt. His own actions may have added to their troubles.
After warming his innards with a quick swallow of the amber-hued malt, the earl signaled for Sheffield to resume his report.
“As I was saying, Sir Darius has spent time in India and China and has forged a network of friendships outside the expatriate communities in those countries. I asked him a few discreet questions about China’s unhappiness with the illegal opium flowing into the country,” explained Sheffield. “It turns out he knows of Fenwick Alston and confided to me that the fellow was involved in opium smuggling while working for the East India Company in Calcutta.”
“That seems to prove he’s part of Argentum,” said Charlotte. “It’s difficult to believe that there are two separate illegal enterprises.”
Wrexford nodded thoughtfully. “I wonder what other details Sir Darius might know about the venture.”
“The same thought occurred to me,” answered Sheffield. “Which is why you’re invited to meet with him at the Sun and Sextant Club tomorrow at noon.”
“Well done, Sheffield.” Charlotte’s smile softened the lines of worry etched around her mouth.
