“Is he? Ours are no trouble at all.”
“Do they enjoy school?”
“They do.”
Something in his voice made her look at him more closely. “Are they academically inclined?” she asked.
“They’re bright. Paul is clever enough to expand the business in many new and profitable directions.”
“Forgive me, but you don’t seem pleased.”
Keaton gestured with one hand. “Of course I’m pleased. And proud. But he doesn’t need his head filled withunnecessarylearning. University is not for him—how would we afford that?”
“I believe there are scholarships for the cleverest. Was Mr. Ogden himself not such a recipient?”
“We have no need of scholarships and universities. Ogden earns a pittance for all his degrees and hard work. Paul will be a gentleman.”
Again, Constance let it go. “And your daughter?”
“I have been persuaded to allow her one more year at school. After that, she will learn more from her mother.”
“Who are their best friends in the village?” Constance asked.
Keaton blinked. “They are friends with all the children. Though perhaps they are better friends with each other. Being twins.”
Or being forbidden from playing with the poorer children. “Then there is no one they dislike? No one they have fallen out with?”
“Nothing serious enough to upset them. Why are you so interested in the children?”
“Feelings run high over children,” Constance said. “I am really crossing off possibilities in my mind. We have to consider everything.”
“Then I gather you are no closer to finding the culprit?”
“We know more than we did,” Constance said vaguely. Though it was a pity she could not see the relevance of that knowledge.
*
Solomon, having quizzedhis staff and many business acquaintances on the subject of Captain Jordan Blake of theMary Anne, found himself outside a modest house in Bloomsbury. There may or may not have been a maid, though it seemed to be the lady of the house, dressed to go out, who opened the door to him. No doubt she was the married daughter with whom Blake apparently lived.
She looked surprised.
“Mrs. Tanner?” Solomon touched his hat and offered his card. “My name is Grey. I was hoping to speak to Captain Blake.”
“What about?” she asked suspiciously, glaring at the card. “He doesn’t keep well, which is why he’s living with us.”
“I understand you are his daughter? Perhaps you would be so kind as to ask if he is able to receive me? I am particularly interested in his days as captain of a ship called theMary Anne.”
“Well, I’ll ask him,” she said dubiously. “Come in for a moment.”
She left him in the hall while she opened a door on the right toward the back of the house.
A small maid and a boot boy poked their heads out of what was no doubt the kitchen and watched Solomon with blatant curiosity.
Mrs. Tanner returned. “He says he’ll see you. Come in. Ring the bell when you’re ready to leave and the servants will show you out. I have to be elsewhere. Don’t tire him out.”
Solomon bowed to her retreating back and walked into the room she had just left.
Captain Blake did indeed look like an invalid. Huddled in a chair by the fire, his legs covered by a tartan rug, he wheezed when he spoke, and his face was beset with lines of chronic pain.
