“I knew,” he said in a matter-of-fact manner. “I had previously asked after you and the other women. The local watchman knows who comes and goes at such an establishment. It is part of his duty to be well informed.”
“Then you met my sister?” she said with a smile.
“Yes, but she did not identify herself as such,” he explained in what sounded of caution. “There was an older woman and a young girl, and the one who presented her name as ‘Miss Babbington,’ though that was not provided to me until Sunday.”
“I do not understand,” Emma stated, as she looked to Lord Graham, who shook his head in denial of knowing the situation. “What occurred on Sunday?”
Lord Orson said, “Theodora and I asked them regarding who might wish to harm you. The younger girl mentioned Lord Davidson, but Miss Babbington said little. The older woman said you have, over the last few years, received multiple threatening notes. Do you recall them?”
Emma said softly. “I did not until my lady’s maid sent my clothes from Donoghue House. They were in the bottom of the cloth bag.”
Graham asked, “My lady, are they still in the bag?”
“Yes,” she said reluctantly. “In my quarters at the Mirvat. I have not looked at them; in truth, I feared them.”
“Why would someone from your home pack threatening letters in your bags?” Mrs. Ottoway said in disgust. “Had you purposely kept them? Were they to be turned over to the authorities?”
“I had asked my lady’s maid to burn them, but Mr. Palmer had prevented her from doing so.” Emma frowned before saying softly, “I recall now. My maid was angry at Mr. Palmer on our visit to the Tower of London, for he had not followed my orders.”
“Emma,” Lord Orson said as he knelt before her. “I did not learn Miss Babbington’s name until Sunday before I set out for Buckinghamshire. After church, I pretended I was to walk home to confuse Lord Davidson’s men, those who had been watching me since I left you on Wednesday evening. As I walked in the direction of where my coach awaited me, I noted Miss Babbington on the street upon which Donoghue House sits. She was exiting your house’s front gate, and so I followed her and detained her several streets removed from your house. That is when I learned her name, though she spoke nothing of her relationship to you. She did say she had called to learn of yoursafety. She also said your butler had told her you had returned to the Continent to be with your parents.”
Mrs. Ottoway declared, “A person cannot simply sprout wings and fly to the European continent. How would your appearance be explained next week, for example?”
Richard said, “Such was my response, but, then again, Graham and I have both considered the possibility that your attack began at Donoghue House, and such is why we have discouraged your return.”
Graham said, “With this development, I would like to read the threatening messages you have in your bag.”
