Richard made a vague gesture towards the garden. “I’m not sure.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Captain Jackson looked out of the window.
“I was…” Richard swallowed a few times.
“It’s all right, Richard.” Samuel patted his valet’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go to the kitchen and have a cup of tea?”
“Let’s have a look.” The captain beckoned Samuel to follow him.
“I need a cup, but first…” Richard opened a cabinet and handed Samuel a coat and a pair of boots. “It’s a crisp morning, sir.”
They walked along the path weaving through the garden.
The sounds of carriages and hackneys came from the other side of the wall wrapping around the house. Climbing the wall didn’t require any special skill, but the front and back doors and the windows were sturdy with anti-theft locks not even William could break.
He stopped next to the bench where he and Vivienne had sat the other day. The bush behind it had been flattened as if something heavy had dropped on it. A few footprints marked the soft soil.
He pointed them at the captain.
The captain clicked his tongue. “Yes, Alice was right. There will be no living with her after now.”
