“Just because Pearl and Wrexham ended their liaison, doesn’t mean she stopped caring about him, or he her,” Mr. Armitage said thoughtfully. “Her arrangement with Rumford could have been entirely financial, on Pearl’s part, but her heart remained with Wrexham.”
My own heart sank and it occurred to me that I had to speak to Lord Rumford again. I needed to know if he knew about Pearl’s visit to Lord Wrexham. If he did, he could be asuspect, after all. Except for the fact that this investigation was entirely his idea.
We walked on in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. I finally broke it as we turned onto Piccadilly. “We need to speak to both Lord and Lady Wrexham, but not together. We have to find out why Pearl visited, and we need to know where both of them were the afternoon of her death because apparently neither was at home.”
“Youneed to do that,” Mr. Armitage said.
“Pardon?”
“Not ‘we.’ You. This is your investigation, not mine. My part is finished.”
I stopped, but Mr. Armitage kept going. I had to hurry to catch up to him. “But…why did you come with me today if you don’t plan to continue helping?”
“I didn’t want you visiting the servants alone. Considering the sort of fellow Adams turned out to be, I’m glad I went along.”
“That’s very gallant of you.”
“Not at all. My uncle would have throttled me if he found out.”
I watched his profile. The jaw might be firm, but I was quite sure I detected the hint of a smile. “You’ve come this far, you might as well continue to help me.”
“No, Miss Fox.”
“Why not? Do you have another case?”
“Not yet.”
“Then what could you possibly have to do that’s more important?”
“I was thinking about designing a pamphlet announcing my agency’s services.”
He could do that in his spare time. It wouldn’t take long. He was searching for excuses, and coming up with terrible ones. “You’re just proud.”
He looked down at me, his face quite serious. “Pride isn’t a bad thing, Miss Fox.”
“It is when it gets in the way.”
“In the way of what?”
Of us becoming friends, I wanted to say. But instead, I said, “Of you taking on your first case, albeit ashared one.”
“Pride has nothing to do with it, Miss Fox.” He looked away and added in a mutter, “Believe me.”
I sighed. I couldn’t think of what to say to get through to him. The damsel in distress card might get him agreeing to help, but I didn’t want to play it.Mypride was stopping me from doing that.
We walked the rest of the way to the hotel in awkward silence. He entered the building with me, but only to meet his uncle who was waiting in the foyer, hat and umbrella in hand. Mr. Hobart had been speaking to Mr. Hirst but broke away on our arrival to greet us. Mr. Hirst frowned at the exchange.
“Ready, Uncle?” Mr. Armitage asked.
Mr. Hobart put his hat on his head. “Ready. You must be looking forward to a home cooked meal.”
“I’ve dined with my parents three nights this week. Didn’t my father tell you?”
“We don’t live in each other’s pockets.” It was said somewhat defensively.
Mr. Armitage warred with a smile that his uncle didn’t see. “Good evening, Miss Fox, and good luck. I hope you get the answers you’re after.”
I bade them good evening and turned to go as they left the hotel. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Mr. Hirst’s frown deepen.
