“The incident you described does sound like the sort of thing Wrengate would have been involved in.”The duchess cradled her teacup and saucer between her hands.“And he does have a sickly sister though I’ve no idea what sort of state the poor girl is in these days.She vanished right before she was meant to make her debut.Around the same time Wrengate’s parents died in that terrible fire.”
“How awful,” Samantha murmured, her thoughts already on the ways in which such a tragedy could have shaped the duke.
The duchess nodded.“Naturally, it made sense for their children to need time in which to recover, though it seems they continue to keep to themselves.It wasn’t until one of the Faintree Hall maids found a new job at Ottersburg House that word of Lady Claire’s sickness got out.”
The mention of Ottersburg House caused Samantha’s spine to straighten.“I don’t suppose the maid in question was Polly Griffin.”
“I don’t know,” said the duchess.“That name doesn’t ring any bells but then again one is rarely made privy to the names of servants in other people’s households.Why do you ask?”
Samantha hesitated briefly, aware that both ladies awaited her response.After a brief deliberation she chose to be candid.“Evidence may suggest she was murdered.”
“Good heavens.”Mrs.Abernathy’s hand had gone to her throat, her eyes wide with horror.“That’s the case your husband intends to help Bow Street solve, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”Intent on learning if either woman might be able to help with the investigation, Samantha asked, “I don’t suppose either of you know of other servants who’ve suddenly left their positions without putting in notice?”
“Should only servants be considered?”Lady Moorland inquired.“I’m not sure Mr.Hillford is being honest about his wife’s disappearance.That woman enjoyed her social status too much to simply abscond.”
Samantha tried for a bland expression.It would not do to let anyone know what had truly happened to Mrs.Hillford, who was probably still on her way to Turkey.A punishment Adrian had seen to because of the part the woman played in selling children into slavery.
She sipped her tea, then said, “We don’t know what her life was like.If she was unhappy with her lot and found a way to escape it, she may have leapt at the chance.”
“As I recall, she has two children whom she also left behind.”Mrs.Abernathy shook her head.“I don’t understand how any mother could do such a thing.”
“Neither do I,” said Samantha.“Whatever the case, it would seem she left by choice.As such, her disappearance should not be grouped with the servants.If there are any other such incidents you can think of, it may prove useful.”
“I…” the duchess began with a shake of her head, only to pause as though reminded by something.She tilted her head in thought, her lips slightly parted.And then she said, “Now that I think of it, I believe Lady Albourne made a reference to such an incident earlier in the year when she and her husband hosted a soiree.
“When the duke and I arrived, her ladyship seemed extremely flustered.She apologized profusely for a delay in serving refreshments, which she blamed on a maid who’d failed to show up.”
“Did she offer any suggestion as to why the maid wasn’t there?”Samantha asked.When the duchess shook her head, she followed up the question with another.“Do you know if the maid returned to her duties later?”
“I’ve no idea, but since you asked specifically about missing servants, I thought I’d bring this to your attention.”
Samantha nodded.“Thank you.”
“If the maid failed to return,” Mrs.Abernathy mused, “Lady Albourne might have filed a missing person’s report.Could be worth looking into.”
Samantha smiled and took a sip of her tea.She intended to do precisely that.Just in case the incidents shared a connection.
8
James Murry raked his unwashed hair with his fingers, pushing the too-long locks away from his forehead.After nearly two weeks of constant travel, he desperately needed a shave, a bath, and a set of clean clothes.None of which had been easy to come by in any of the places where he’d elected to spend the night.
Until a few days ago, his only thought had been of avoiding capture, of getting out of England, and of reconvening with Croft at Croft’s uncle’s estate in France.Since he and the others had split up into three groups, he’d delayed his departure, traveling all the way to Falmouth before attempting to cross.
The coastal town was as far from London as he could get.He’d reasoned he’d likely arrive there before news about Croft’s escape had a chance to do so.The route from Falmouth to Brest was also more direct.Finding a boat to take him across the water should not be too hard.Such a route would have had the added benefit of avoiding travel on the French side.
It truly was a stroke of luck that the sailor he’d struck a bargain with had been holding the latest issue ofThe Cornwall Times.It had been folded over and tucked beneath the man’s arm, so the front-page article hadn’t registered with James until after he’d paid the agreed upon fare.
There had been no getting that money back without resorting to violence – something he’d avoided to keep from drawing attention.Instead, he’d found comfort in knowing all charges against Croft were dropped, and had promptly begun his trek back to London.
With three pounds less in his pocket, the road ahead now seemed endless.Especially since he’d had to sell his horse to pay for his intended crossing.Which meant there was little else to be done but start walking.
* * *
Samantha was preparing to leave the house with Adrian when Elks came to inform her that Melody had arrived and was asking to see her.“Shall I tell her you’re at home or—”
“Please do,” Samantha said.She waited until Elks was gone before apologizing to Adrian.“I’ll be sure to make it quick so we can head out.”
