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Lord Templeton considered this for a moment, then nodded. “I think they will manage to make better progress than anyone here, yes,” he admitted, quite calmly. “And before you ask, they are not a part of the League as yet. They should very much like to be, but this, I think, will prove to both myself and to you whether or not they ought to be permitted to join.”
Matthew stared at Lord Templeton, his breath hitching in his chest in surprise. It was quite unlike Lord Templeton to behave in such a strange fashion, for to involve someone who was not even a part of the League was quite inexplicable and entirely unheard of. He wanted to throw questions at Lord Templeton, to demand to know what he had been thinking of when it came to doing such a thing, but instead, he simply stared at the fellow and tried to make sense of what he heard.
“I will leave you to discover them, of course,” Lord Templeton said, with a small grin that left Matthew feeling nothing more than irritation. “No, you need not begin to question me as to their identity and the like, for I shall not give it. I fear that you will then go to them at once and demand that they give up this foolish scheme and I shall not have you do so.” He chuckled and rose slowly to his feet. “Not that I think they would accept your instruction anyway.” His sharp eyes landed on Matthew’s dismayed expression and, instead of expressing sorrow or telling him all that he needed to know, Lord Templeton simply chuckled.
“You look astonished and a little angry, Lord Watt, and I quite understand both emotions,” he said, putting one hand on Matthew’s shoulder as he began to make his way past. “Do believe me when I tell you that this is for the best.”
“The best?” Matthew repeated, the words flying furiously from his mouth as he rose angrily to his feet. “You think that it is both wise and agreeable to invite someone who is unknown to both the League and to myself into such a precarious situation as this? Lord Harrogate’s murder has been the shame that the League has carried for a long time, the shame that has been burdening both our hearts and minds for many months. And now, when we are able to start investigating it, you have involved someone without any consideration for the opinions or the wisdom of others?” He narrowed his eyes, feeling angry beyond measure that Lord Templeton had not only done such a thing but was now behaving in this way, where he evidently felt some sort of pride in what he had done—for there was certainly no regret in his eyes. Instead, there lingered some sort of gentle understanding, some kind of quiet reassurance that all would come aright.
“You are quite right to be angry,” Lord Templeton answered softly. “But keep it within you for a little while longer before you permit yourself to express it.” The older man’s lips tugged into a thin line, his eyes becoming clear and determined. “Once you have seen them, once you know why they have involved themselves in this way, you will have full understanding, Lord Watt, I assure you.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “And you will understand why I have been forced to keep this secret from the rest of the League and why I have chosen to tell only you. It is best if Lord Fitzherbert and Lord Stevenson have not even the slightest inkling that they are known to any of the other gentlemen of the League.” Reaching out, he grasped Matthew’s shoulder hard, with more strength than Matthew had expected. “Keep your anger quiet until tomorrow night, Lord Watt.”
“Tomorrow night?” Matthew repeated, feeling the anger fade out of him as Lord Templeton’s gaze quenched his fury somewhat. “What is happening then?”
Lord Templeton smiled quietly. “It is Lord and Lady Frederickson’s ball, is it not?”
Matthew nodded, suddenly remembering that he was to attend. “It is.”
“You are going?”
“Yes, of course.” He knew that, most likely, Lord Fitzherbert and Lord Stevenson would be present, which meant that he would have to grasp the opportunity to begin a new acquaintance with one of them at least. Perhaps Lord Stevenson would be best to begin with.
Lord Templeton nodded slowly, a slight frown flickering between his brows. “Very good. Very good. Then you must make your way to the alcove by the card room at midnight precisely.”
Matthew blinked in surprise, a little taken aback by the apparent mysterious nature of this meeting. “Is that necessary?”
Lord Templeton lifted one shoulder. “How else am I to ensure that you meet?”
Matthew wanted to point out that Lord and Lady Frederickson’s townhouse had a good many rooms within it and that surely one such as the study, drawing room, or parlor might be best for such a meeting, but instead he said nothing and simply nodded. There was no need to argue over such an insignificant detail.
“Good,” Lord Templeton said firmly, as though he could see into Matthew’s mind and could understand just what he was thinking. “Then I will ensure that they know to meet you there also, at that particular time. You will have much to discuss, I am quite sure.” This was said with just the faintest hint of a smile across Lord Templeton’s lips, but Matthew did not return it. He did not appreciate the mirth that Lord Templeton seemed to find in this present situation and certainly did not like the feeling of being manipulated in this particular way, but it seemed there was nothing for it. Lord Templeton was to have his way, for whatever reason, and Matthew would do as he asked. He would sit on his anger until tomorrow evening in the apparent belief that it would fade away from him the very moment he set eyes on whomever Lord Templeton had been working with.
“I do not think I will be present tomorrow evening, however,” Lord Templeton murmured, turning around and making his way towards the door. “I am a little more weary of late. Although I shall look forward to seeing you afterwards.”
Matthew sighed inwardly and followed after Lord Templeton, forcing himself to dampen down his anger. This was not at all what he had expected. To know that there was someone else involving themselves in the situation over Lord Harrogate’s death sent a shiver down his spine, fearing that this was a grave mistake on the part of Lord Templeton and that he himself would have to try to find a way to resolve it. Surely Lord Templeton knew the significance of their current investigation? He certainly knew how important it was, and it seemed quite incongruous for the fellow to have done something so foolish as to have invited someone inexperienced into the matter.
“Do not let your thoughts swirl about what I have told you,” he heard Lord Templeton say, pulling him back to the present. “Trust my judgement in this, Lord Watt, even if it seems more than foolish to you.”
Matthew gave the older man a small, self-conscious smile, fully aware that this was precisely what he had been doing. “I will do my best,” he promised, as Lord Templeton chuckled. “I do not understand what you have done nor why but—”
“But all will be revealed tomorrow evening,” Lord Templeton interrupted, with a broad smile, quieting the remaining anger in Matthew’s heart. “Trust me, old boy. The moment you see them, all will become quite clear.”
Chapter Seven
At midnight. At the alcove by the card room.
Daisy caught her breath as she pressed herself into the shadows, fearing that either her sister or Lord Northgate would see her absence from the room as she waited for two others to enter the ballroom. Susanna had been by her side almost the entire evening, seemingly delighting over each and every name that had been written on Daisy’s dance card. Thankfully, Daisy had managed to ensure that two dances had been kept entirely free, with another much later in the evening, which now gave her time
to slip away. She had said to Susanna that she had to go to the powder room, which, of course, Susanna wanted to accompany her to. It had been a happy fate that, just as they had been about to depart, and with Daisy having very little thought as to what she might do to escape from her sister, that Lord Northgate had swept down upon his wife and begged her to dance the waltz with him.
The joy on her sister’s face had given Daisy the escape she needed. After reassuring Susanna that she would be back before the waltz was ended, Daisy had left her sister to Lord Northgate and had scurried away.
Now, however, she feared that her sister might still be keeping a close eye on her, even though the waltzing music was filling the room, and it was with as much discreteness as possible that she moved towards the door.
The shadows held her tight as she moved through the door and into the hallway, where the candles lit up either side with a brightness that left her no other means of escape. She had to hurry. It was almost midnight.
She could hear the gentlemen in the card room laughing and crying exultantly as they evidently won their hand and rather than turn away from the noise, she moved quickly towards it. One glance over her shoulder told her that there was no one else behind her, and she had to pray that no one would appear out of the card room and see her in the hallway alone. With one hand pressed to her stomach and her heart thudding furiously, Daisy moved as quickly and as quietly as she could, keeping herself to the other side of the hallway and as far away from the door of the card room as possible.
Quickly. Quickly, Daisy!
