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Haggs had not gone to the Bow Street magistrates. Not because of Stewart but because of April. If it was true that she forbade it, for reasons he could not begin to understand, then he would refrain. Instead, he began to write a note to her and tore it up.

The Petterils had come to London only to deal with a few business matters, and so that they could consult with Gil Laine to make sure all was well with April and the baby. Laine was no fashionable or famous physician, but she appeared to trust him. Apparently, he had been happy with her health and the Petterils had planned to travel down to Haybury Court tomorrow.

Obviously, the sudden appearance of the baby had overtaken that plan. Haggs toyed with the idea that the couple had quarrelled, and Piers had gone off to Haybury alone. At this time of year there would be much to do and oversee and he knew Piers was anxious to be there—it had been part of the dinner conversation the night the Petterils had dined at his house, along with Cauldwell and Dangerfield, who were also trying to build up somewhat run down estates inherited from profligate family.

There had been no signs of tension between the Petterils then. It had been an informal dinner since Haggs had no hostess, and he had invited the other two only because he trusted them to behave like gentlemen to Piers’s low-born wife. They had, too. It had been a pleasant evening. But even if the Petterils had been hiding some mutual ill-feeling, or had argued furiously ever since, Haggs could not imagine his friend abandoning his heavily pregnant wife, leaving her to travel after him alone.

In the early evening, Haggs took himself round to Laine’s house, where he found the doctor enjoying a modest glass of brandy with his new partner, Fosterson. They greeted him jovially and Laine presented him with a glass of brandy too.

“We’re drinking to the newest Withan,” Fosterson said. “The most petit Petteril—”

“How much of that have you had?” Haggs demanded, clinking glasses.

“I’m not on duty tonight,” Fosterson said smugly. “Laine will take the night calls, should there be any. Which I hope there won’t.”

“Business is brisk then?” Haggs said, pleased, for both had entered this practice with little capital behind them, although Laine’s wife had brought some when she’d married him.

“We’re becoming known,” Laine said cautiously. “Fosterson here has the charm to bring in the wealthy patients. I have the skill, of course. It’s a partnership of sorts.”

Fosterson grinned amiably at the insult.

“Where is Mrs. Laine?” Haggs inquired.

“Dining with her parents,” Laine replied. “I cried off on the grounds of duty and, frankly, exhaustion.”

“Were you up all night with Lady Petteril?”

“I was indeed. And very glad to be so.”

“Was Withy there when you arrived?” Haggs asked.

“Oh yes. He didn’t want to leave her, so I sent him for a walk.”

“When?” Haggs demanded.

“Lord, I don’t know. I hadn’t been there for long at the time, just enough to establish that she was indeed in labour and there were no obvious concerns. Maybe just before or after ten? Why?”

“Don’t you know that he never came back from that walk?”

“Still?” Laine said, lowering his glass in startlement. “I was sure he was with you, and no one said anything when I returned later to examine the mother and child. Didn’t see Withy, mind you.”

“No one’s seen Withy,” Haggs said grimly. “And no one’s talking about it. I don’t understand why April hasn’t raised the roof about it. Especially if she’s as well as everyone tells me. And that havey-cavey valet of his is up to something.”

“Against Withy?” Fosterson demanded, sitting bolt upright.

Haggs shrugged angrily. “I don’t know. I’d say so, except he invoked Lady Withy’s name. That’s all that’s held me back.”

They were both staring at him.

“What do we do?” Laine demanded.

“Find him,” Fosterson said, setting down his glass with determination.

“How?” Haggs demanded. “Is there anything you can think of that would give us a clue where to look? How did he seem when you last saw him, Gil?”

Laine rubbed his forehead. “Like any expectant father. Except he didn’t want to be shut out of the room. You know what women are like around lyings-in. I’m barely tolerated, and any other man is just in the way.”

“Did he make a fuss?” asked Haggs, who had no idea about such matters.