“I think we’ve got it. As long as Philip confirms what the pride of the British Isles is.”
“The Royal Navy, of course.”
“Then the answer,” said Grayson, “is a raven.”
“Bravo,” Eleanor said. “Isn’t this fun?”
“No!” said Beryl. After a few more minutes, she declared herself too tired to keep her eyes open, and she and Philip went to bed, taking their cat with them.
This left Eleanor and Grayson with Lord and Lady Angsley. For the second night, there was lightning and thunder, and Eleanor was glad not to be at alone at an inn.
“I’m very pleased not to be travelling on a night like this,” she said.
Lord Angsley, who loved to travel, began an interesting story about his recent trip to Spain on the queen’s business.
Suddenly, pounding at the front door reverberated through the lofty foyer and sounded loudly in the drawing room.
Lady Angsley gasped, while Eleanor and Grayson jumped to their feet.
Chapter Four
“Settle down, everyone,”Lord Angsley commanded. “Mr. Stanley will see the person in.”
In a moment, the lanky butler appeared in the drawing room doorway.
“Who was it?” his lordship demanded.
“Messenger from Turvey House, my lord.”
“Show him in at once,” said Lady Angsley.
“He has left already, my lady.” Whipping an envelope from behind his back, Mr. Stanley handed the damp missive to his lordship. “He brought this for you or for Mr. O’Connor.”
“He ought to spend the night,” Grayson said.
“He is, sir. In the stables.”
The butler turned and left as the house was rattled by another large boom of thunder. Somewhere abovestairs, one of the children shrieked with glee as much as fear.
Lord Angsley raised his eyes to the ceiling. “I should have asked for brandy. Perfect thing on a night like tonight. Dratted man disappears so quickly.”
“What does it say, dear?” his wife urged him.
Eleanor felt like snatching it from his lordship’s hands since it might have to do with Maggie, but he opened the note, shook it, held it up, read it, and reread it.
“For God’s sake,” Grayson said, because he had that level of familial relationship with this family, he could express his frustration. “What does it say, my lord?”
“Basically, not to let you go back to Turvey House, either. Now, my nephew is feeling unwell, too.”
“Oh dear,” her ladyship exclaimed, immediately pulling the bell pull. “We do need brandy.”
“Is John very sick?” Eleanor asked.
“He says only that he feels ill. Nothing more. He says to watch you for signs, too.” Lord Angsley looked at Grayson. “If you’ve brought any fever to this house, young man, I shall not look kindly upon it.”
Grayson nodded. “I feel fine. Moreover, I was in London up until a day ago. Just when I got back, I was sent here. I had no contact with Lady Cambrey whatsoever.”
It still sounded strange to Eleanor’s ears for her sister to be called by her title.
