“I wonder if they are?” Ash said. “A renown London doctor couldn’t save poor Princess Charlotte.”
“A difficult decision,” Cartwright said. “London is noisy and polluted, while there’s fresh sea air and hearty country fare at home.”
Reade nodded, his forehead creased with worry. “Quite so. We should leave before it’s too late for Jo to travel. If I can convince her to relinquish the Season, that is. In any event, once her condition becomes obvious, she shan’t attend functions. How much better to be in the country where she can walk in the gardens and along the seashore.”
Cartwright turned to Ash. “This murder plot may not prove to be a matter for Whitehall. Should Bow Street be alerted?”
“Bow Street won’t be interested until a crime has been committed. We can’t rely on a constable or local magistrate to act speedily. And we do not know who the man is or why he is in danger.”
“Which is going to be devilish hard to discover,” Ash said. “I don’t know Eugene Farnborough personally, do either of you?”
“In passing.” Reade looked around. “I would introduce you, but I haven’t seen him tonight.”
“Perhaps not. He might get suspicious,” Ash said. “Time is critical if we’re to save this man. I’ll have Farnborough watched. It might lead us to the other men.”
“Wish I could join you.” Cartwright grimaced. “I will be back in London in a sennight.”
“The only clue we have is that the man in their sights has not yet arrived in London. Apparently, he’s expected soon. It is his habit to walk along the Thames in the evening.”
“But which part of the river?” Reade mused. “Could be several places.”
“Not enough to go on. We need more.” Ash recalled Sir Ralph Tothill’s daughter had mouthed something at him. Unlikely to be of interest. “I hope to have given the inquisitive Miss Tothill the slip.”
Cartwright raised a skeptical eyebrow, and Reade shook his head and laughed.
“Not if the lady is like my wife,” Cartwright said.
“Nor mine,” Reade added with a grimace.
“Oh, I forgot.” Ash removed his handkerchief with the snuff inside. He held it out. “Anyone you know use snuff? This is an unusual blend, is it not? I wonder who uses it?”
“I know a couple of gentlemen who use snuff,” Reade said, lowering his head over it. “They have a special mix. Give it to me, and I’ll see what I can find out.”
Chapter Three
At the endof the week, her grandmama, having watched Thea carefully for signs of illness, pronounced her well enough to attend the Fairchild’s spring ball. Thea had chaffed at missing the card party and rout, either of which Grainger might have attended, but despite her begging, her grandmama refused to be moved. An entire week when the intended victim might have come to London! It was intolerable. Might she find Grainger there tonight?
The Fairchild’s home in Hampstead lay a fair distance from London, a large and stately mansion set in acres of parkland. As the carriage took Thea and Grandmama along the tree-lined driveway lit by braziers, Thea’s stomach clenched with nervous excitement. Tonight, she might learn who the would-be murderers were. She hoped following Farnborough could lead to the man they planned to murder.
Had the victim arrived in London? Was he already dead? It brought tears to her eyes, being helpless to act. Perhaps Grainger would accomplish what she could not. Somehow, he had instilled confidence. She wasn’t sure why. He refused to enlighten her as to what course he would take, if any, and she knew very little about him.
“Have you met Ashton Grainger, Grandmama?” Thea asked as the carriage approached the turning circle in front of the mansion.
“He is the Earl of Highworth’s grandson. Next in line for the title. An old and wealthy family.” Grandmama turned back as the carriage came to a stop and the footman put down the steps. “I know his grandfather. Have you met Ashton, Thea?”
“We shared a casual word.”
“Who introduced you?”
“No one, Grandmama. He brushed past me, and I dropped my reticule. He came to my aid and introduced himself.” She had become too adept at lying, Thea thought regretfully.
“Viscount Grainger featured on every mama’s list of suitors this Season.” Grandmama turned back as the footman opened the door. “It would be quite a coup to attract his interest, but I’ve heard he isn’t at present seeking a wife.”
Grainger was a viscount? And would one day be an earl who did not wish to marry. Thea felt a swift lowering of her spirits. Before she had time to ponder on what had caused it, they stepped down into the crisp, spring air scented with flowers, budding trees, and a newly scythed lawn, and crossed the porch to where the double doors stood open. Inside, candlelight lit the elegant marble-floored great hall.
They followed the footman up the curving stairway to where the Fairchilds waited at the ballroom door to greet them. As they reached the landing, the clamor enveloped them from the hundreds of guests filling the enormous room.
“So, this is your youngest granddaughter, Elizabeth.” Lady Fairchild studied Thea. “You are most fortunate,” she said to her grandmama. “A nice-looking gel, she should take well this Season.”
