Lady Astor’s expectant look fell, then she motioned to the chairs. “Have a seat. I’ll ring for tea.”
“We’ve come on a mission,” I said quickly. “I’m not sure we’ll have time for tea.”
“Oh?” Lady Astor frowned. “What can I do for you? Whatever it is, I’m here to help.”
“How well do you know Sir Rothschild?” I asked without preamble.
She studied me for a second before saying, “I know him about as well as most.”
“Is Bryant his first name?”
Lady Astor slowly shook her head. “I don’t believe it’s his given name, no. Years ago when we first met, he introduced himself as James Bryant Rothschild. It wasn’t until he was knighted that he started to go by Bryant.”
“James?”
“Yes.”
I met Mama’s gaze. I’d told her what Austen’s note had said the night before. Mr. Maybrick had gone to his brother James’s place of employment. Was that a coincidence? But then I recalled the file I’d found in Sir Rothschild’s drawer, the one about the murder trial of Florence Maybrick, James’s wife. Why was Sir Rothschild so interested in that case? Could it be thathewas James Maybrick in 1888?
“Why do you want to know?” Lady Astor asked.
“It’s a bit of a long story,” I said, hedging around the truth. “I was just curious and thought perhaps you could help me.”
“Why didn’t you ask him yourself?” She was frowning again, clearly suspicious.
“We’ve had a bit of a falling out,” I tried to explain, though it was a vast understatement. I didn’t want to alarm her, but I was doing a poor job hiding my emotions. Papa’s life was on the line, and Sir Rothschild held the key to his freedom.
Lady Astor’s mouth parted, and she took a step forward. “Does Sir Rothschild know where your father is?”
Mama and I glanced at each other, and it was enough to convince Lady Astor.
“He does!” She took a seat, shaking her head. “Oh, dear.” She pressed her lips together, regret and pain in her eyes. “I knew he was getting fanatical. He and his wife, Bianca, have spoken to Waldorf and myself on numerous occasions, trying to get us to pledge our loyalty to the Nazi Party, but I refused. I have long feared that he was deeper into the party than I realized and that he might be feeding them information.”
“You mean spying?” Mama asked.
“Yes. But I’ve known them for so long, I thought I was just being paranoid. He was very keen on knowing all about the Lindberghs’ and Luc’s trip to Germany. When Luc went missing, I had a fleeting thought that he might know something about it, but, again, I pushed it aside.” She put her hand to her forehead, clearly upset. When she looked up at us, she said, “I’m so sorry.”
“You are not responsible,” Mama said. “It’s not your fault.”
“What did he tell you?” Lady Astor asked. “Where is Luc?”
This was where it got more complicated. Would Lady Astor rouse the police? I had to say something, but I didn’t want her to get involved.
“We suspect that he’s being held somewhere here in London,” I finally said.
“Why?” she asked.
“Sir Rothschild believes I have connections to something he and the Nazi Party want—but I do not.” I said the last part very clearly. “That’s why he brought me to London in the first place, though I didn’t know it at the time.”
Lady Astor was quiet for a moment, but she finally said, “I won’t even ask what it is. But I am assuming that he spoke to you directly?”
“Yes, and he doesn’t want the police involved,” Mama added.
“Of course he doesn’t.” Lady Astor sighed.
“I don’t have what he wants,” I offered. “But I might know where it is. I am hoping he will agree to meet with us and bring Papa with him so I can see that he’s alive and well. Then I’ll tell him where the item is, and hopefully it will be enough for him to release Papa.”
“Let me know what we can do to help,” Lady Astor offered. “I will be there, if you need me.”
