They returned downstairs. “Thank you for coming, my lord,” Lady Kinsey said after furnishing him with the surgeon’s address. “Please keep me advised about anything you might discover.”
“Rest assured I shall make every effort to learn what happened to your footman, my lady. And try to find out what prompted Bart to seek my help.”
“It’s distressing to think of how much he suffered,” Lady Helen said sadly as they made their way along the corridor.
Fiske had just admitted a gentleman through the front door.
Lady Kinsey greeted him. “Lord Peyton, may I introduce Mr. Thorburn to you. Mr. Thorburn is Kinsey’s secretary. I would be grateful if you would address any concerns you have concerning Bartholomew to this gentleman.”
Fair-haired, Thorburn was somewhere in his mid to late thirties with the pasty complexion of those who spent most of their lives indoors at a desk. Behind his wire-framed spectacles, his hazel eyes were keen and alert. He bowed with a polite smile. “Certainly, my lord. A dreadful business to be sure. If I may make a comment?”
Jason nodded. “Please do.”
“It is my belief that the medicine Bart took daily could have been poisonous. He did tell me he was interested in improving his diet with the use of an herbal libation. Suffered some digestion troubles, if you’ll pardon me mentioning the indelicate subject, Lady Kinsey. Told me he purchased the tonic at a shop in Whitechapel.”
Jason frowned. “Where is the bottle?”
“I gave it to the doctor, my lord,” Fiske said.
Lady Kinsey turned to him. “Fiske? You knew about this?”
“Yes, my lady. Bartholomew showed me the tonic. I advised him not to take the evil-smelling liquid.”
Thorburn excused himself, citing much to be done before Lord Kinsey returned.
Jason pondered this information as he took his hat, gloves, and brass-topped cane from the butler. “Please send word if you have need of me before Lord Kinsey returns. Good day, Lady Kinsey, Lady Helen.”
When Jason paused in the street to pull on his gloves, the front door opened and Lady Helen hurried after him down the path. Her worried eyes searched his. “Mother forgot to mention Jinx. He’s our kitchen boy. Jinx fell sick at the same time as Bart, but has since recovered.”
He wished he could reassure her. But he feared matters were likely to get worse. “It is something to investigate. Thank you for telling me. “
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Do you have any idea why Bart would have asked for you most particularly?”
He huffed out a sigh at her obvious distrust of him. “Apart from my being his captain during the war? I’m afraid I don’t.”
She tilted her head. “Strange, though, don’t you think, after all this time?”
Was she interrogating him? “It would seem so. At least until we find the answer. If you can’t think of anything else?” He half turned toward the road.
“Bart had become quite nervous recently,” she said, delaying him once again. “He’d grown careless in his appearance, which upset Fiske, and he had cross words with Mrs. Chance. It was unlike him. He didn’t confide in me. But I will see if I can find out something more.”
He cursed under his breath. “That’s not wise, Lady Helen. Leave this to me. Please exercise care until this matter is resolved.”
She put a hand to the curls at her temple. “How does one exercise care in one’s own home?”
He paused. “This matter may have little to do with the inhabitants of Kinsey House.” He wished the reason for Bart’s horrible death could be easily explained. “You might consider retiring to the country with your siblings for a time if you are concerned.”
“I have no intention of leaving London, my lord.”
“Until your father returns?”
“No. Diana’s ball is soon to be held. She certainly won’t go to the country, and neither will I.” Her dark lashes swept down, a habit he’d noticed she adopted when she wished to hide her feelings. “I’ll ask Mama if she’ll send the boys to our grandfather. Toby loves to visit Walcott. There’s so much more for him to do there. He can ride with the hounds and fish in the river. But Alexander, he’s only a baby and will kick up a fuss if I don’t go.” She surprised him with the first unequivocal look she’d afforded him. “I was wool gathering. I do apologize, my lord. This can be of no interest to you. We are all so distressed about Bart.”
He smiled, taking in her delicate features as wisps of chestnut hair stirred in the breeze exposing a crescent-shaped scar near her ear. “Perfectly understandable. And remember, not a word to anyone. Good day, Lady Helen.”
She hesitated. “I should like you to keep me informed. With my father away, and Mama busy with her latest charity, it behooves me to deal with these matters.”
“Of course.” He was pleased he hadn’t revealed his shock at that statement. How did she think of herself, twenty-four going on forty? He watched her walk briskly away down the path. And she was wrong. Everything about the Kinsey family was now of intense interest to him. Jason walked along the street. He’d always managed a pleasant rapport with his servants, but the Kinseys seemed to care a great deal for their staff. He suspected that Lady Helen was, by nature, a mother hen. Had she decided to trust him? Or was she still reserving her opinion? She would not trust easily, he suspected.
