Henry settled in the chair next to him. “I wanted to express my apologies once more for the confusion over the marriage contract. If I had known earlier that Lord Perrin intended to change the terms, I would have notified you before you’d come and perhaps saved you the journey.”
Mr. Smith flapped his hand. “It wasn’t your error to apologize for. Perrin’s perfidy is on his own head.”
“I know you were anticipating the use of the mine.” Henry gave him a sympathetic smile. One thing he’d learned in his years practicing law was the ability to question people while making them feel comfortable. “I do hope you won’t be too adversely affected by Perrin’s change of mind.”
Mr. Taylor leaned across a low table, breaking into their conversation. “Mr. Smith didn’t need to marry his daughter off to the earl. He is well enough off on his own. He doesn’t have a motive, if that is what you’re implying.”
Henry kept his features even. He might have a talent for keeping clients untroubled, but apparently that didn’t extend to nosy secretaries. And a secretary who had a motive to make sure Mr. Smith remained unconfined and available to become his future father-in-law.
Mr. Smith gave a deep belly laugh. “Is that what these questions are about? Don’t worry about me. My daughter and I are clear with the law. I have no concerns on that point.”
“So your interests haven’t been hurt by not trading for Perrin’s land?” Henry asked.
The smile fell from Mr. Smith’s face. He shifted in his seat. “Everything has worked out for the best.”
Mr. Taylor scooted forward. “I’m sure Mr. Smith is successful enough where he has no need to marry his daughter to someone worthless for profit. From the short time I’ve been acquainted with him, I can tell he only wants his daughter to be happy, and that would include in her marriage.”
Henry leaned back and cocked one leg over the other. “You seem awfully interested in the future of Miss Smith.”
Mr. Taylor tugged on his lapel. “Miss Smith reminds me of my sister, so I will admit to some tender feelings on my part.” He leaned back. “And what wouldn’t a brother do for a sister? There isn’t much.”
A loud sigh came from the billiards table. “Withers, we haven’t got all night.” Havenstone tapped his cue on the floor. “Take your shot.”
Withers did, striking the white ball so hard that when it connected with its red counterpart, the billiards ball hopped over the rim of the table and rolled in Henry’s direction.
Havenstone muttered an oath and tossed his cue stick down on the table. He followed the ball, frowning when he came to the settee it had rolled under.
He dropped to his knees and reached under the settee. “This billiards game is becoming tedious. Anything of interest happening here?”
“Just talking about the earl,” Henry said. “I believe someone will be able to fetch a magistrate tomorrow. The mud should have hardened enough by then.”
Havenstone grunted. “Good riddance. Although the food has drastically improved, I will be ready to depart from this house as soon as possible.” He pulled back, holding the ball in triumph. “Ha!”
“Damn right,” Mr. Smith muttered. “I can’t wait to remove my daughter from this place.”
“You seem to have a knowledge of mining, Lord Havenstone.” Henry rested his glass of whiskey on his knee.
“I would hope so.” The baron shot Withers an apologetic look and plopped down on an empty seat. “I’ve owned and operated over twenty mines in my life, seven currently.”
Henry arched an appreciative brow. “I was hoping you might explain the process of extracting arsenic.”
Mr. Taylor huffed. “Do you suspect everyone of Perrin’s murder?”
Havenstone frowned. “Are you insinuating my knowledge of arsenic makes me a suspect? I wouldn’t appreciate that if it were the case.”
Henry gritted his teeth and managed not to glare at the secretary. “Not at all. Perrin owns some mines of his own, some quite close. Anyone could have procured the arsenic. Your knowledge of a potential poison could help to catch the killer, however.”
Havenstone pursed his lips. “Well, there isn’t much to it. As I said before, arsenic is a by-product of processing tin and copper, although it can be mined directly, as well. When you take the raw metal ore and roast it at high temperatures, the arsenic burns out, turning into a vapor. When the vapor cools in the flue or chamber attached to the furnace, it condenses into a white powder that can be harvested. There was a period where I had my workers collect the arsenic and I sold it to a paint producer, but that became unprofitable.”
Henry cocked his head. “Do you know if arsenic powder has a strong taste? Would it have been noticeable in Perrin’s wine?”
“I never tried to taste it,” Havenstone said dryly.
Henry inclined his head. Another person with knowledge and access to poison. He hadn’t realized just how many ways to kill had existed.
“Well, my glass is empty.” Mr. Smith placed his empty tumbler on a table. “Shall we join the ladies?”
Everyone agreed, and they filed out and went to the rear sitting room. The room was quiet, only a couple hushed conversations between the ladies.
