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To his relief, the rest of the workday passed without event. If he was a little disappointed by the fact that Trouvère didn’t appear at the end of it to question him on his progress, it was outweighed by his gratitude toward Horton, who had, apparently, held their friendship in high enough esteem not to tell her the truth.
The walk home was just as sodden and miserable as this morning’s journey—he’d declined to take advantage of the headmistress’s offer to use the school’s carriage—but this time he had the prospect of dry clothes and a hot fire awaiting him. Mrs. Hayton clucked and squawked over his lack of self-care, shooing him up the stairs with such fierce admonishments that he nearly forgot to inform her of his anticipated guest.
Half an hour spent huddled before a blazing hearth did him a world of good, as did the small brandy he employed to warm his insides. Dinner was a quiet affair. With the rain not having let up, everyone was in a contemplative mood.
Horton arrived just as they were retiring to the salon. Will introduced him to everyone and then brought him upstairs.
The man began asking questions the instant the door closed. “Good God, man,” he exclaimed in a hoarse whisper. “Woodson? And teaching girls mathematics? What the devil are you on about?”
“First, allow me to thank you for not revealing my true identity,” Will said, taking a deep breath. “Secondly, you ought to know that the school is under investigation at the behest of some very powerful people.”
“What in heaven’s name for?” asked his baffled guest.
With clever wording and careful omissions, Will explained he was investigating a tip tying the school to a child-trafficking ring. The expression of growing horror and disbelief on his old friend’s face as he spoke came as a profound relief.
“I cannot think her capable of such heinous conduct!” exclaimed an indignant Dr. Horton. “My mentor sang her praises with such frequency that I at one point thought him in love with her—the news of his impending marriage to one of her teachers came as a complete surprise. Whitehall recruited me to move back to London and continue his good work here, for pity’s sake.”
“So Whitehall was sold on the place, then?”
“Indeed. And for good reason! Whomever told you these lies is either much mistaken or holds malicious intent.”
“As I understand it, the source was quite adamant in his claims and presented evidence to support them.”
“Did you see this evidence with your own eyes?”
“No,” Will admitted. “But there are questions that need answering. I’m to ascertain the truth of the situation.”
But Horton only shook his head in vehement denial. “You’ll find nothing but the best intentions and a tried remedy to some of London’s most shameful misery, I assure you.”
That uncomfortable feeling came over Will again. “Is there a chance—any chance at all—you might have been cozened into believing a cleverly crafted façade? It wouldn’t be the first time a good man found himself unwittingly working for a monster wearing the guise of an attractive woman. Her compassion may seem genuine, but a gifted actress can make men weep.”
Horton’s face darkened ominously. “Dr. Whitehall spent two years working closely with the staff and students here, work of the sort that allows neither blindness nor detachment. I would think he, of all people, would know if anything like what you’ve described was going on. I tell you, he would not have stood for it. Not for a moment. As for Madame Trouvère, I trust her completely.”
&
nbsp; “But you’ve known her for only—”
“Completely.”
Despite his friend’s growing agitation, Will persisted. “Why?”
“I’m bound by both a personal vow and my Hippocratic Oath not to disclose that information.” The other man drew himself up. “Rest assured my reasons for granting her my explicit trust are incontestable.”
Frustration made Will’s head throb. “You understand I’m doing this under orders from—”
“Then you must inform your superiors it was a mistake at once.”
“Why?” he demanded. “Why such urgency?”
Horton’s eyes implored him to comprehend. “Because every moment the school remains under suspicion, the lives of those living within its walls are at jeopardy.”
Now Will’s curiosity was well and truly aroused. “You speak as if some imminent danger exists.”
“It does.” Horton swallowed hard. “But I’m bound not to speak of it, at least not outright.”
“Go on,” Will prompted after a moment, his hopes rising. Horton’s discomfort was an almost tangible thing, and for a moment he feared the other man would renege.
After a long moment, however, the doctor went on, though clearly reluctant. “I must assume you are likely either aware or suspect that the students come from…unfavorable circumstances.”
