***
Edward didn’t return to parliament following his meeting with the inspector. He didn’t manage to make his way to the jeweler either. He had more pressing matters to attend to.
His first move had been to contact the informants he used whenever he needed intelligence about what was actually happening on the working streets of London. Whatever Tucker’s machinations were, he wanted to know all about them. What, when, where, and most important—how Fiona fit in to them.
Fi wasn’t fool enough to knowingly involve herself in a situation like this, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t somehow connected to it. Perhaps she’d delivered a message for her father. Perhaps she’d spoken to one of the conspirators at that blasted rally she’d been arrested at.
Whatever the link was, his people would find it.
Then Edward had requested Lord Barr join him at White’s. He needed someone else to make enquiries at the Home Office about this Nigel Patterson. Barr could be counted on for both his contacts and his discretion.
Needless to say, by the time he arrived home, he was in less than a fine mood. When he saw the large traveling carriage at the end of the drive, with footmen carrying trunk after trunk up the stairs like a parade of insects, his foul mood darkened further.
“Blast.”
He stripped off his gloves as he stormed up the steps, shrugged off his coat, and handed it to Simmons without a word. His erstwhile butler knew better than to say anything.
He turned right into the first morning room.
“Mother.”
Charlotte had said the Duchess of Wildeforde would be at their Erstforde estate for at least another fortnight. What could have persuaded the woman to travel this far while unwell?
Edward had one idea, and he didn’t like it.
The duchess was in pride of place by the window overlooking the front garden, with Charlotte-Rose seated across from her. At first glance, Char seemed perfectly put together, but then she shot him a brief, panicked look.
“Duke.” His mother raised her hand.
Edward crossed the room to lay the barest kiss on it. “I wasn’t expecting you for a few more weeks. I trust your trip was pleasant.”
Stepping back, he could see changes in the duchess since he’d last seen her. She’d been drawn and brittle for as long as he could remember, but now there was a frailty to her frame and a ghostly pallor to her skin that stood out against the bright green fabric of her dress.
“The trip was excruciating. The worst thing I could do in my condition.” She coughed.
“Then why didn’t you stay in Erstforde?”
His mother pinned him with the kind of stare that made kings squirm. “I received word that you are receivinginterestingguests. I wanted to see for myself since both you and Charlotte-Rose had neglected to mention houseguests in your letters.”
He and Char exchanged glances. He certainly hadn’t mentioned Fiona or Finley to his mother, and it was no surprise that Charlotte had had the good sense to omit that information too.
“Tell me more about this Finley McTavish.”
Tell me more about this Fiona…The words, an echo of her words five years ago, sent a shudder down his spine.
“It was me,” Charlotte blurted. “I invited him to stay. He dropped by to deliver a package to the duke from Mr. Asterly and we began talking and he issucha diverting young man. And he was all alone in Asterly House, Mother. And I thought, well, we cannot have that—you know how much I hate people to be lonely—and so I invited him to stay.”
Edward didn’t know if he should be pleased with the lifeline his sister had just thrown, or terrified that she could lie so easily.
“And what is he doing in London?”
Charlotte clapped her hands together, the very picture of excitement. “Well, he is here on business. He’s very talented. He has invented little fire sticks. They’re truly extraordinary. I imagine they’ll become quite the entertainment at parties.”
Despite the enthusiasm with which Charlotte prattled on, the duchess looked far from convinced. “Hehas, hashe? Funny. I didn’t know that Alastair McTavish had a son. I knew he had a daughter…”
Edward’s chest constricted. She knew. Or, at least, she was almost sure. If she knew for certain, there was no telling what she’d do to Fi.
He plastered a neutral smile on his face. “Given how much attention you pay to the tenants on our estates, Mother, I’m surprised you knew of even one of the McTavish children. Exceptional work.”
