“There’s something not right about that man,” Eli said.
“Other than the stiff-rumped arrogance of his class—some elements of his class?” Rob asked.
“What do you know about his shadow?” Eli asked.
“You mean Bateson? Peculiar, for certain. I’ve only seen him a few times, always out in public. He doesn’t attendtonevents. He wasn’t at the theater.”
“Yes. He was. I saw him in the crowd when I shut the door to the office,” Eli responded. “I’ve seen him on the streets with Grimsley three times including yesterday. How do you know his name?”
“Grimsley generally doesn’t acknowledge me, but I overheard him at Tattersall’s once. The Marquess of Danbury all but demanded an introduction. Grimsley referred to him as his associate.”
“Associate. Business partner? He doesn’t have the deferential manner of a secretary or steward, neither of which would trail after an earl around London. I suspected bodyguard, but why would an earl require one?”
“There are endless reasons he would have one, but a bodyguard is more likely to look like Reilly or my security squads—watchful but compliant—than Bateson.” Rob bit his lip in thought. “What concerns you?”
“Fanny, of course. You’re the one who feared for her after Manchester. You’re the one who insisted on security. Your home is guarded. You told me whoever is selling those women doesn’t like escapes. That they would kill her rather than let her go free. That they use murder to terrorize others who owe them money and reinforce their threats.”
“I did, indeed. The word from Manchester and other cities in the northwest is that the abductions and gambling operations are linked.”
“Someone tried to push her off the Great Pagoda.” Eli held his brother’s eyes.
“And we stepped up vigilance,” Rob said.
“And then there’s the theater. Something about that just doesn’t make sense,” Eli said. “I don’t trust Grimsley.”
“It wasn’t an attack. She was locked in a closet. What possible motive would there be for that?” Rob appeared to be searching his thoughts for an answer to his own question.
“Perhaps Grimsley hoped to gain her trust by first frightening her and then rescuing her, putting himself in the role of hero. Perhaps he knew being in a locked room would terrify her,” Eli suggested.
“Eli, are you implying Grimsley is somehow involved in the nasty business in Manchester?” Rob gasped. “You may not like him, but that’s a stretch. Are you sure it isn’t jealousy talking?”
Eli drained the remains of his whiskey. “No. That is, no, I’m not certain it isn’t jealousy,” he said, meeting his brother’s laughing eyes.
“Should I be asking your intentions or is that Clarion’s role?” Rob teased.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. What do I have to offer Fanny Hancock? She’s lovely and the daughter of an earl.”
“Do not hand me some taradiddle about her being above your touch, Eli. You are a land steward—a highly respected professional position, more than physician or solicitor in most people’s minds. Well able to support a wife. To have done it by your age is remarkable.”
Eli shifted, uncomfortable. “Luck. Events at the hall simply needed my skills,” he murmured.
Rob rolled his eyes. “I hope you have no illusions that Fanny could look for a title or some such nonsense. The titled classes might accept an earl’s bastard as long as that goes unmentioned—I should know—but Fanny is a shopkeeper’s daughter and a shop clerk herself. No blue-blooded fribble will ever accept her, Clarion’s acknowledgment notwithstanding. Besides, you’re worth two of them.”
The words gave Eli hope, more than he would admit to his brother. “Enough, Rob. If I decide to court Fanny, it is she who should be asked, not you or my prim and proper employer.”
Rob bit back a knowing grin. “Don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment where Grimsley is concerned.”
“You may be right. I don’t trust him, though, and I trust that ‘associate’ even less,” Eli said. “Can you ask Viscount Rockford what he thinks of the two of them?” Rob’s chief had his thumb in many pies. If anyone knew about Bateson, it would be Rockford.
“I’ll see him at the Spanish ambassador’s reception on Monday. I’ll drop the name. Either he’ll know something or he won’t. Either way, it will put the name in his mind. He forgets nothing,” Rob said. His next words made Eli sit a little taller. “What are your plans, then?”
Rob was asking, not telling. That had to be a first. “I’ve finished the things Clarion sent me to do. I have duties in Ashmead, and I should have word about Fanny’s case in the church and chancery courts soon. That will necessitate a trip to Manchester. I can confer with Holliday then. In any case, I plan to take Fanny and Wil, if she agrees. To Ashmead, I mean. We need to keep her out of Manchester.”
“Lucy believes the Marquess of Danbury’s soiree on Tuesday is important. She and Maddy want Fanny to experience the better side of society after the nasty experiences she’s had in the park.” Rob raised a brow and waited.
“I’ll talk to Fanny. We can depart the day after.”
“And then what? Will you leave the investigation to us—Rockford’s people and Holliday?” Rob asked.
