“This is a sham, I tell you,” he expounded to the earl. “I went to South Africa myself, you know. Nothing to find there but the body. I had the official report!”
“I mean to go to London at once and settle this matter,” puffed the earl. “What sort of uncivilised way is this to treat a loyal subject, an earl, and brother of a war hero?”
“No, I know what this is,” Darcy declared. “You recall that little matter last autumn, I suppose?”
Reginald’s brow wrinkled, and he nodded in pretend understanding as he set the cigar to his lips. “Indeed, I do. Perfectly shocking.”
“I think that troublemaker is still seeking to cause a disturbance and is feeding false reports, simply to antagonise you.”
Reginald scoffed. “Who could do such a thing? Why, these are His Majesty’s troops, not some incompetent bobbies waving their fool batons and blasting away at their tin whistles. These officers would not run about the countryside chasing anonymous leads. No, Darcy, this is a direct insult from the War Office upon the Matlock name!”
“Do not be so hasty in your assumptions,” Darcy urged, with a quelling move of his hand and a calculated glance at the officer by the door. He dropped his voice in what appeared to be an effort at secret conversation. “I would hate for this poor captain to be stripped of his rank, after you have had done with his superiors. Perhaps there is some more logical explanation. You ought to write to your friends in the House of Lords. Lord Wexmere remains in your debt after that last affair—surely, he would be more than happy to oblige by helping to investigate the matter.”
“If you are right…” Reginald released a puff of smoke and flicked his eyes to the door, indicating that the young officer was obviously attending their words. “I say, Darcy, ‘twould be a tremendous scandal. Do you really think this could be that same incendiary, out to cost me a night or two of decent sleep? Such a waste of effort!”
“I think rather he means to put a black eye on the Army. Accusing an earl’s deceased brother of treason, searching an honourable man’s estate by force? Why, think if the papers got word of it! I wonder if the captain knows whence these tips have come, because I can nearly guarantee your old foe’s next move is to leak falsified information to the press, or perhaps to Parliament. What would that do to sympathy for the war effort? That would be a bloody inconvenience for Whitehall and Addington, and perhaps even His Majesty. I say, if you count yourself a loyal subject to the crown, you ought to tell the captain all you know about that ‘source’ so the rot can be cut out and done away with.”
Reginald pursed his lips and glanced at the officer. He had been joined by a second soldier now, and they were exchanging low words. “You may be right, Darcy. You, there! Call for your captain, will you? There’s a good lad. Oh, and as you are standing by the door, I hope you do not mind summoning a footman to send in a bit of brandy for us.”
“Thecorporalsaysyouhave information leading to the capture of the accused?” The captain had declined the offer of a glass and a smoke and stood at rigid attention several feet from the earl’s desk.
“I have information,” Reginald drawled. “Not that which you seek, for your quest is patently absurd and impossible, but perhaps I have the very information youneed.”
The captain’s expression hardly flickered. “I will not take a bribe, Lord Matlock.”
“Good man, good man. Nor would I offer one. My cousin Darcy here brought it to my attention that I may be able to save you some face, Captain. I mean, of course, after your search proves a fruitless embarrassment. We both know the ‘traitor’ you seek lies presently in a shallow grave in some god-forsaken South African prison camp, but you come here claiming to have been led by an informant. Obviously, your source is unreliable.”
A smirk lifted the captain’s lip. “And I am certain you would like nothing better than for me to divulge classified information and reveal the source’s name.”
“If you did, I would have yet another reason to dress down your commanding officer for your disgraceful conduct. However, you came here seeking information, and I may have some. However, perhaps you are right. You must know all the pertinent facts, so how should I be of any assistance? Carry on, then, Captain.” Reginald leaned back in his chair and drew out his cigar cutter and another long, brown cylinder. He raised it to the light, then expertly sliced off the end. He set it between his teeth and was about to flick his striker when he looked up as if startled.
“What? You are still here? Be off with you, Captain, if your business is so critical. I would hate to hear of you being reported for overlooking your duties.”
The captain tightened his arm over his cap. “What information do you claim to have?”
“Oh! Well, if you truly find it of use, I had been receiving odd notes from an unnamed hand with the most outrageous claims. Some of them did make preposterous statements that my brother lived after he was known to have been deceased. A mischief-maker, that is what I had determined, and it nearly broke my poor mother’s heart.”
“You did not report the matter?”
“Report? Why, my good sir, there was nothing to report. What, shall I run like a tattling stripling to the Army every time someone tries to insult my brother’s memory? Your officers would turn me out for a doting lunatic, and rightly so. I did have a fair notion of who the fellow was, but then—” Reginald snapped his fingers— “nothing more. It was like the fellow vanished, or, perhaps, found someone else to tempt with his admittedly savoury falsehoods. I only meant to caution you.”
“And who was this person?” the captain asked, clearly modulating his voice to conceal any interest.
“Now…” Reginald shook his head knowingly. “I cannot possibly cast suspicion on someone unless I know there to be sufficient cause. Why, what if I were mistaken? It would be a more grievous wrong than someone falsely accusing me of harbouring a fugitive.” Reginald took a deep draw from his cigar, then set it gently aside and held up a finger. “But I could do this for you. I would recognise the hand if I saw it again. I suppose you were not such a fool as to bring your evidence with you—”
“I was not privileged to see it myself,” the captain retorted. “If you truly have something of use, my lord, I suggest you produce it at once.”
“Oh, no, no, no,” Reginald scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. “It was a bit of rubbish, and I had it taken out with the dust bin months ago.”
The captain’s brow lowered. “Months ago?”
“Why, yes. Come to think of it, it has been nearly half a year. I am certain your information was far more recent, was it not?”
The captain gave a condescending snort and shook his head. “My office does not delay in acting upon information. We received this tip only yesterday.”
Reginald nodded thoughtfully. “Of course. Well, then, I suppose I am of no use, after all. My cousin and I were about to enjoy a few drinks, however. Care to join us while your men complete their search? No? Then, carry on, and do let me know if you find any deserters skulking about the shades of the estate, will you? Glass, Darcy?”
The captain was nearly rolling his eyes in contempt when he clicked his heels and went out. Darcy and Reginald remained where they were for some minutes, in quiet contemplation of their brandy, until something diverted the soldier outside Reginald’s study.
