They’d not seen each other since September, despite Adrian’s inviting him to visit Deerhaven Park. This winter had been especially cold, however. The roads had not been easy to travel and with their estates a good eight-hour drive apart, Edward had not wished to risk it.
Besides, he’d had plenty to see to at Longmeadow Hall. Reviewing the ledgers had taken over two weeks. Repairs had been required. Plans needed to be made with his estate manager for when Edward was absent during the coming Season. Looking back, he’d not been able to spare a week away visiting friends.
He pushed the blanket off his lap, opened the carriage door, and stepped down onto the pavement. The frosty air hit him first. It nipped at his cheeks and chewed through his clothes. A familiar London smell of smoke mixed with manure filled his nostrils.
Eager to get indoors, Edward climbed the steps leading to the front door and knocked. It didn’t take long before it swung open.
Adrian’s butler, Elks, allowed the beginnings of a rare smile to tug at his lips. “Lord Marsdale. What an unexpected surprise.”
“I can come back tomorrow if now is an inconvenience.”
“Goodness, no. Mr. Croft would be most displeased if he learned I’d sent you away. Please do come in.” Elks closed the door behind Edward, then helped him off with his outerwear before showing him through to the parlor. “Help yourself to whatever you wish while I let Mr. Croft know you’re here. I’m sure he’ll join you soon.”
Edward thanked Elks and crossed to the sideboard where he proceeded to fill two snifters. Before he was able to take a seat, the door opened, admitting Adrian.
A lopsided smile tugged at his friend’s lips. “Edward. What a welcome surprise. I wasn’t aware you’d returned to Town.”
“I just arrived and was on my way home when I thought to stop here first.” Edward offered Adrian one of the glasses, then shook his hand before taking a sip of his drink. “It’s been too long. According to the letters you sent, a lot has occurred. Congratulations once more on the pregnancy.”
“Thank you.” Adrian gestured for him to claim one of the two armchairs and the men sat. “Samantha and I are both excited and terrified. I’m in a constant state of worry.”
Understandably so, Edward reflected, aware that Adrian’s mother had died in childbirth. He refrained from bringing that up and chose instead to say, “I believe that’s natural, but at least you’re more settled now than you were last year when… What? Why are you frowning?”
Adrian raked his hair with his fingers, his lips now flat and his eyebrows dipping. “You know the essence of what we faced while helping Kendrick figure out who was killing servants, but there was a great deal more. Too much to explain in a letter.”
“Tell me,” Edward encouraged.
His friend took a quick sip of his drink, then launched into the kind of tale that made his blood run cold.
Adrian and Samantha had fought for their lives against that doctor and nurse who’d been drugging patients in a dangerous trial and error experiment. Murry had nearly died. Meanwhile, the son of an Irishman seeking revenge against the Croft family now posed a new threat. This was the reason for Adrian’s return—Finn O’Leary’s direct attack on one of Adrian’s sources of income.
Edward stared at him for a long moment after he finished talking before voicing the only thought that filled his head. “You cannot let this O’Leary scoundrel tempt you into doing something you shouldn’t.”
Adrian’s answering snort made Edward worry it might be too late for such advice. Though his friend would never tell him outright that he’d broken the law, Edward knew he’d been involved in illegal dealings in the past. The whispers about the blackmail files kept by his father and the way that man had treated Adrian’s mother was an indication of what the Croft name stood for. And then there was Clive Newton’s death and the publicly held belief that it had not been self-murder but rather an act of vengeance for killing Adrian’s sister. Enacted by Adrian himself.
There were other indications, too, in the form of occasional comments, but no direct admission of guilt was ever made. Edward preferred it that way. The lack of evidence stopped him from having to break ties due to moral conflict. As it was, Edward had crossed the line once by aiding Adrian’s escape from prison. An act he convinced himself was justified because of how obviously corrupt the judicial process had been.
It soothed his conscience that the prime minister himself had since provided Adrian with a pardon. Now, Edward worried Adrian might do something rash and break the terms of it.
With this in mind, he pressed, “Tell Kendrick about O’Leary and let him deal with him.”
Adrian shook his head. “I’ve directed him to the crates so he can seize them. Beyond that, he’s in no position to help me with this.”
“He’s helped you before.”
“With bringing murderous scoundrels to justice and fighting corruption.” Adrian’s expression was tight. “O’Leary hasn’t proven himself a big enough menace yet.”
“He threatened your wife and stole from you.” Edward blinked in response to Adrian’s silence as realization struck his stomach with a thud. “I’m guessing both incidents involve information you’d rather not share with Bow Street.”
“I need to ensure my family’s safety. That’s why I’m here.”
“Please don’t do anything rash.” When Adrian merely drank some more brandy Edward said, “You won’t be much good to your family if you end up facing another trial.”
“Rest assured, Edward, I plan to avoid getting arrested.” He tilted his head, then asked, “Any news from Miss Roberts?”
The fact that Adrian, who’d warned Edward away from the lady, would bring her up suggested she was being used as a means of distraction. Edward considered ignoring the bait but eventually decided against further attempts at persuading Adrian to walk away from O’Leary. He’d already said his piece. If Adrian didn’t want to listen, then that was his business.
He shook his head. “The only information I received about her was from Lady Heathbrooke when she announced their departure. That was at the end of September. I’ve had no letter since.”
