Isherwood raised a hand. “I have read Captain Lacey’s record, and it is without stain. But you are saying my father’s shouldn’t be.”
“Which is absolute poppycock,” Major Forbes said loudly.
“I am sorry to report it.” I broke through his blustering. “From what Colonel Brandon has told me about Lord Armitage, I believe he corrupted your father, promising him freedom from debt, and then probably blackmailed him into changing the orders to troops guarding the retreat. Mephistopheles to his Faustus.”
The reference was lost on Forbes, who likely never read anything but army manuals, but Isherwood nodded.
“My father, unfortunately, could be easily influenced.” He gave me the pained look of a man used to the truth not being what he wished. “Well I know this, to my regret, though he managed to cover his sins well. Lord Armitage, however, is a lofty personage. A diplomat, trusted by the king—or at least the Regent and Pitt, who sent him to Austria all those years ago. How will you make anything stick?”
I gave him a thin smile. “By letting him try to kill me, of course.”
* * *
“Bad idea, guv.”
I hadn’t expected Brewster to go along with my scheme, and he did not disappoint me.
“I’ve heard again and again that Armitage is untouchable,” I said as we left the barracks to the waiting hackney. “I do not want him to get away with either Isherwood’s murder or sabotaging a battle. If Armitage is caught doing his best to stab me to death, that will be a different thing.”
Brewster was not convinced. “Blokes like that don’t end up in the dock at the Old Bailey. He’ll say you provoked him, and he was defending hisself, like.”
“No, he’ll be tried in the House of Lords, which could ruin him even if it doesn’t hang him. Or perhaps he will try to poison me, as he did before.” I shrugged. “If none of this works, I’ll challenge him to a duel. Or perhaps Desjardins. The man cannot shoot straight.”
Brewster did not like my grim humor. “You’re daft if you think His Nibs will let you be bait in a trap for a murderer.”
“I am hoping His Nibs will help, and stand by to keep Armitage from killing me.”
Whatever Brewster would reply to this was cut off by Major Forbes, who stormed out of the gate and caught us at the hackney. The driver, who leaned against the wheel, having a nip out of a flask, looked on without expression.
“I will not stand by while you smear the reputation of a great man.” Forbes glared at me with the fury of a mastiff, ready to protect his master.
“If he truly gave those orders, he has already smeared it himself,” I said calmly.
Forbes blustered, but I saw in his eyes desperation of a man who wanted to believe in his hero. “Whatever you accuse the colonel of doing, he’d have had good reason. And what did it matter what happened once the battle was won? The slaughter might have been immeasurable if the retreat had been blocked.”
“Matter?” Brewster broke in with a laugh. He was never one to keep his opinions to himself. “That was treason, it was. Even I know that.”
“Youare a ruffian and ignorant,” Forbes snarled at him. “How can you understand the motives of one a hundred times better than you? Hear me, Lacey—I’ll destroy you if you slander Hamilton Isherwood.”
“I’d think you’d want his murderer brought to justice,” I said. “If Armitage killed him, why would you stop me from proving it?”
I could see Forbes had no answer. He lunged at me instead, as though ready to strike, but Brewster stopped him with one hand around the lapel of his coat. Forbes tried to free himself, but Brewster held him fast.
“Let him go,” I ordered.
Brewster ignored me. “Mayhapyoudid it.” He gave Forbes a shake. “You were cozy with your colonel—maybe you worried he’d own up to treason and disgrace himself. Or maybe you found out about it and were in a rage at him for not being the great man you thought he was.”
Forbes struggled, his grief that Isherwood had betrayed him stark on his face. “You’re mad.”
“Let him go,” I repeated, my voice forceful. “I doubt Forbes killed him. He’d challenge Isherwood instead, let him defend his honor.”
Brewster gave Forbes another shake but at last released him. Forbes straightened his uniform coat.
“Of course I’d challenge him,” he said, as though angry I’d suggest anything different. He pointed at Brewster. “I’ll haveyoufor striking a gentleman.”
Brewster had little fear of being arrested, as he had Denis’s protection. He stepped back, unworried.
“Mrs. Isherwood,” I said as Forbes regained his footing. “Would she have known of Isherwood’s orders to the troops guarding the retreat? Did she listen in on his conversations? Read his dispatches?”
