They found an empty room and sat on the sofa facing a fireplace whose banked coals gave off a cheery glow.
“Kit has told me about the murder of Wrexford’s friend,” began Cordelia before broaching her own business. “Have you and Wrex any further ideas on who might have wished Greeley dead?”
“Alas, no. The only clues—a missing manuscript and the fact that Greeley was overheard mentioning Wrexford’s name—are baffling.” Charlotte explained the details of the murder and how there was no rational explanation as to why anyone would want to kill the reclusive librarian.
“You’re right,” muttered Cordelia after taking a moment to mull over the facts. “I don’t see how it adds up.”
Cordelia was a brilliant mathematician. Like Wrexford, she saw the world through a lens of logic.
“I suppose we must accept that Life doesn’t always conform to orderly expectations,” said Charlotte. “Perhaps Wrexford will learn something useful this evening.” She mentioned his meeting with an expert on rare books and manuscripts. “And Griffin has gone to Oxford to begin searching for more clues.”
“If anyone can help Wrex find a trail and follow it to the Truth, it’s Griffin,” said Cordelia. After a small hesitation, she added, “Kit also told me that you and the boys discovered disturbing information at the King’s Dockyard—something to do with the current competition to create a marine propulsion system for ocean travel.”
“Yes.” Charlotte lowered her voice, even though they were alone. “And coupled with the fact that the fire at Maudslay’s laboratory was arson, it compels me—or rather, A. J. Quill—to look more closely at the groups involved in creating the new technology.” A pause. “And to discern whether any of them might be willing to employ illegal methods to beat their competitors.”
“Good,” muttered Cordelia.
The curt reply gave Charlotte an opening to probe into what was clearly a fraught subject for her friend. “Given your appreciation of innovative ideas, you seem surprisingly opposed to the idea of oceangoing steamships.”
Coals crackled in the hearth, releasing a tiny hiss of smoke.
Eyes narrowing, Cordelia watched the vapor shiver and dissolve into thin air before responding. “I’m not at all opposed to the concept.”
Then what, she wondered, was the thorn in her friend’s derriere? Charlotte thought for a moment. “It was clear that you took umbrage at Lady Kirkwall’s manners, but—”
“I couldn’t care less about Lady Kirkwall’s manners.”
She frowned in frustration. “Then why don’t you stop shilly-shallying and tell me what’s bothering you?”
Silence—and for a moment she feared that her friend wasn’t going to reply. But after fisting her hands in her lap, Cordelia surrendered a sigh.
“Lord Taviot arranged a meeting with Kit this morning.” The initial coolness in her voice had now turned to ice. “He had heard of Kit’s early investment in Hedley’s steam locomotive and decided that Kit would make an excellent addition to the consortium’s Advisory Board. And so Lord Taviot offered him shares at a very special charter investor price if he would agree to promote the new company among his friends in both Polite Society and the scientific world.”
“And I take it that you don’t approve of the idea?” asked Charlotte.
Cordelia smoothed her skirts, taking some time to marshal her thoughts. “As you know, there are a number of players in the game. I was aware of Maudslay’s experiments, and it doesn’t surprise me to hear that the government is also working on a new type of marine propulsion system,” she answered. “And given the success that the Americans are having with commercial steamboats on their rivers, it stands to reason that their inventors are also seeking to conquer the oceans.”
A pause, which lasted several heartbeats. “But Taviot told Kit that his consortium is about to make a momentous announcement, one that will virtually guarantee their success.”
Charlotte was trying to follow her friend’s line of thought. “Are you saying that you don’t think it is true?”
“No, that’s not precisely what I’m saying,” answered Cordelia, which only served to make the conversation even more confusing.
She fixed her friend with a searching stare, waiting for her to explain.
“Kit and I agree that an oceangoing marine propulsion system will be invented. It’s simply a matter of time,” continued her friend. “A brilliant mind, with access to the latest advances in science and technology, will eventually see the solution to the challenges . . .”
Cordelia blew out her cheeks. “It’s also true that Reginald Maitland, the engineering wizard who is Taviot’s head of technology and a partner in the consortium, has been working in America with the leading steam engine innovators for the last five years. So it’s possible that he has made some momentous breakthrough in technology. But . . .”
Her friend took a moment to smooth a wrinkle from her skirts. “But while Kit seems to think Taviot and his consortium are worthy of investment, I have a very bad feeling about the venture. I have . . .”
She drew in a ragged breath. “I have heard some very unsettling things about Taviot’s family history.”
Charlotte sat back in surprise. It wasn’t at all like Cordelia to let nasty rumors and innuendo cloud her judgment. Her own father’s disreputable behavior had cast her brother in a dark light and nearly gotten him convicted of a very serious crime.
“I think most families have members who don’t reflect well on them,” she replied. “Look at me. I was considered a black sheep among a flock of pristine white reputations.” She allowed a small pause. “And look at Kit. His father was convinced that he was a bad seed.”
“I concede that my reaction is illogical,” said Cordelia, though disapproval remained writ plain on her face. “I’m well aware that a tale may be colored by a purely personal reason, like jealousy or spite.”
