Page 53 of A Countess of Convenience

A look of hope touched Mamma’s tear-streaked face. “You do not think it will be seen as a sign of disrespect to your father’s memory?”

“To go to London to be with your family? Certainly not. Anyone here should be glad you will have the comfort of being with your daughter during this melancholy time. Please, Mamma,” she gripped her mother’s hands, “do come to London.”

“Very well, my dear, I will go with you. For a time, at least.” Mamma did seem as if a weight had been lifted. Her eyes, still red and puffy from her incessant tears, seemed clearer. Peaceful.

“Excellent.” She hugged Mamma and rose. “I’ll set the maids to packing for us both. That will take a few days, and by then, Mr. Piper will have prepared the copies I need. By the end of the week, we will be headed to London. You will see what a tonic it will be to your spirits.”

“I believe you are right, my dear.” Mamma rose, determination on her face instead of resignation. “I shall go and inform Inman at once.” Her mother grasped Judith’s hand. “Thank you, my dear. You have always been my greatest comfort.”

“Thank you, Mamma.” She bussed her mother’s cheek, and the woman left the parlor much happier than when she’d entered it.

Thankful to now be able to write to John that they would be leaving in a matter of days, Judith could abandon herself to plans for an extravagant and private homecoming for her husband. Better to plan a celebration than wonder dismally if she would ever have the comfort of holding her own daughter again.

Chapter 21

“Two pints, Mr. Dawson, if you please.” The tall gentleman with a husky build nodded to John as they settled at a corner table in The Brown Bear, local haunt of the Bow Street Runners.

“Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Johnson. You came highly recommended by Lord Ambrose.” While Judith was away taking care of her family’s business, John had proceeded with his investigation into Lord Downing. As no man was a saint, Downing must have some misdeeds under his belt. All John needed was someone who could find them.

“I should hope all my clients would give me high marks, my lord. I’m good at what I do, which includes being discreet.”

“Discretion would be imperative, sir.”

“Ah, thank you, Mr. Dawson.”

The barkeeper set a streaming pint glass down before both of them. “My pleasure, Mr. Johnson.”

The man hurried away, and Johnson took a sip of his ale then looked John up and down. “What can I do for you, Lord Haxby?”

“I need information on Lord Downing.” John tipped his glass up. The cool ale tasted especially good this time of year.

“What kind of information?” The Runner’s gaze never flinched.

“I am looking for any misdeed the man may have committed. Anything having to do with his finances, any lawsuits he may have been party to. Any…immoral behavior he may have engaged in within the past year or so.” John doubted the courts would be interested in Downing’s behavior as a youth. Only recent transgressions would likely be relevant to their cause.

“I assume any illegal activities would also be welcome news.” Johnson spoke nonchalantly, but the man certainly got the gist of the type of information John needed.

“Absolutely. He has managed to get guardianship over my wife’s daughter and is refusing to allow her to see the child. We wish to either force him to give up the guardianship or we will bring it to court.” He might be babbling, but the Runner needed to know the stakes here. “Either way, we will need proof of wrongdoing.”

“Do you have any evidence of the kind? It would help me know where to begin the search.”

Unfortunately, John had little to go on. “Other than cruelty to his own daughter, I have no report of his misdeeds, although such cruelty should’ve been evidence enough for the courts.”

“The courts have precious little justice in them, my lord. I’ve seen my share of the innocent being convicted and the guilty going free. I can well believe the courts looked the other way in this case.” Mr. Johnson sipped his ale then leaned closer. “Does Lord Downing have any influential friends in the justice system? Someone who might have turned a blind eye to his indiscretions?”

Never having thought of that, John wanted to give himself a swift boot in the arse. “It would not surprise me in the least, Mr. Johnson. If you could discover that as well, I would be most grateful.”

“Do you know our new magistrate, Sir Reginald Matthews?” Johnson drained his tankard.

“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” He’d never needed such services before.

“Sir Reginald’s just married, so he’s not been in court very often lately. If you can arrange a meeting with him, it might be advantageous to you.”

“Why is that, Mr. Johnson?” Wasn’t a Bow Street Runner enough? Must he involve the magistrate himself?

“Sir Reginald has had dealings with Lord Downing before. Intimate dealings, to hear him talk.”

John’s brows shot up, and he snorted into his tankard.