“According to what I know, Stockbridge is the most affluent neighborhood – Edinburgh’s Mayfair, if you like. My intention is, therefore, to knock on doors and make inquiries until I learn where Mrs. Callanach might be residing. If gossip works as effectively here as it does in London, the information shouldn’t be too hard to come by.”
What Charlotte did not count on was being turned away the moment she mentioned Mrs. Callanach’s name. Nobody cared who Charlotte was or why she had come. As soon as she made her inquiry, gazes grew shuttered and she was promptly asked to leave. She never even made it past the butlers.
“This is so frustrating,” she muttered when she returned to the carriage after her fifth attempt.
“You mustn’t lose hope, miss.” Daisy’s voice had that soothing softness intended to reassure, but it didn’t quite work.
“I think a change of strategy is in order,” Marcus said. “Surely there must be a place nearby where we can happen upon a few ladies and gentlemen who aren’t being so ferociously guarded?”
“A park would be perfect.” Charlotte glanced around, then went to address their coachman. “You’ve been to Edinburgh before. Any idea if there’s a park somewhere nearby where the upper-class might go for strolls?”
“Mr. Guthrie and his wife visited the Royal Botanical Garden when they were last here.”
“Excellent. Please take us there.”
Ten minutes later the carriage pulled up next to the pavement, and Marcus jumped out so he could help Charlotte alight. Arm in arm, they entered the garden and proceeded along one of the pathways while Daisy followed behind.
“I almost wish we were here for leisure,” Charlotte said when they’d walked for a while. “There are so many wonderful plants and flowers, it would be lovely if we could take our time to enjoy them.”
“Maybe you can return here with Blayne before heading back to London?”
“Now there’s an idea worth hoping for,” Charlotte agreed. “Come, I think we’ll try approaching that couple over there. Excuse me! I’m sorry to trouble you on your walk, but I’m hoping you might be able to help us.”
The couple, a lady who looked to be in her fifties and a gentleman who appeared slightly older, stopped and turned more fully in Charlotte and Marcus’s direction.
“Yes?” the gentleman inquired.
“We’ve travelled here from London and aren’t too familiar with the area, so we’d be most obliged if you could lend your assistance with some directions.” Charlotte added a smile and prayed the couple would not be as standoffish as the butlers she’d met with earlier.
“Certainly, Mrs..?” the gentleman inquired.
“Miss Russell,” Charlotte supplied. When the gentleman frowned Charlotte decided a lie might serve her best, so she hastily added, “And this is my brother-in-law, Mr. Davies, who has been kind enough to accompany me on this journey. My mother is unwell, you see, and has tasked me with finding a long lost friend of hers.”
“Indeed.” The gentleman’s expression eased a little. “And who might ye be seeking?”
Charlotte took a deep breath and prayed for success. “Mrs. Shannon Callanach.”
Every muscle in the gentleman’s face grew taut. “Her name isn’t spoken in polite Society, Miss Russell. Not after her lover and husband were both murdered by her son. She’s an outcast and ye’d do well to tell yer poor mother she’d best forget all about her. Good day.”
“But I’ve a message for her I have sworn I’d deliver.”
The gentleman huffed a breath. Pity shone in his wife’s eyes.
“Surely there’s no harm in telling them where they can find her?” the lady gently suggested.
“Fine,” her husband grumbled. “Last I heard, Mrs. Callanach was living in a modest townhouse on George Street. That’s all I know.”
“I trust then that her brother-in-law resides at Callanach House?” Marcus asked.
The gentleman snorted. “Aye. That man could not become the lord of the manor fast enough. Never met a more arrogant fellow in all my life. I didnae care for his brother either, but that doesnae mean he deserved to be bludgeoned to death. Now, if ye’ll both excuse us, we’d like to continue our walk.”
“Of course,” Charlotte said. “And thank you.”
“Mr. Davies?” Marcus quizzed as soon as they were alone again.
Charlotte shrugged. “Seemed better than using your actual name and them having heard of you.”
“True.” They started back toward the carriage. “I suppose we’re off to George Street now?”
