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It had stuck her as quite odd, however, that a stepson would be so concerned about his stepmother’s finances. Unless he was expected to support her once the money was gone.
Papa entered the drawing room, breaking into her musings. “Good afternoon, daughter. It looks like you’re planning on stepping out today. With Lord Wethington?”
Amy gritted her teeth. “Yes.”
Papa and Michael had taken up residence while they explored the possibility of purchasing the new business they were considering. Ever since the dinner at Lady Wethington’s, whenever Papa hadn’t been scowling at Amy about the book fair, he had been watching her with a gleam in his eyes.
For that reason, she was reluctant to have William visit, but they needed to get together to continue their investigation.
She glanced out the window, happy to see William climbing the steps to the front door. “He is here.”
“Excellent!”
She gathered her things and moved around Papa. “I’m leaving.”
“No. Wait a minute,” Papa followed her to the front door. “Good afternoon, Wethington. I see you and my daughter are off for a jaunt this afternoon.”
William attempted to remain friendly, but Amy saw the unease in his stance. “Yes, my lord. We are off to the Pump Room, then to a shop for tea.”
Papa slapped William on the back. “Good, good. Have a wonderful time. No need to hurry back. I know my daughter is in good hands.”
Amy pushed William toward the door. “Good-bye, Papa.”
Once they settled in the carriage, she let out a deep breath. “I apologize for my papa, William. He’s been acting quite strange since dinner at your house the other night.”
William chuckled. “You want to see strange, stop by and visit with my mother.” His eyes grew wide. “No. Forget I said that. Do not stop in to see my mother. She will send for the modiste to take measurements for your wedding gown.”
Shocked at his words, they stared at each other. William swallowed. Amy cleared her throat. They both looked out opposite windows.
Silence reigned as the carriage made its way through town to the Pump Room next to the Roman Baths. Even though the weather was cold—normal for February—the unexpected sunshine had encouraged strollers to leave their homes. The mall, surrounded by shops, the Abbey, and the Roman Baths, was crowded with visitors.
Amy and William wandered the Pump Room, paused for the obligatory drink from the famous waters, and stopped to chat with friends and acquaintances.
“We need privacy to discuss our information. I believe it’s time for tea,” William said as he steered her out of the Pump Room.
They walked onto the cobblestone pathway, which had dozens of shops on either side, and found a teashop that looked large enough to give them some anonymity. Once they settled into their seats and ordered tea, Amy glanced around the room and lowered her voice. The shop was busy, but no one seemed to be paying them any attention.
“I had time to visit with Mrs. Whitney Saturday afternoon when Aunt Margaret and I made afternoon calls,” Amy said. “Well, actually only one call, because Mrs. Whitney was blessedly at the first place we stopped.”
The waiter returned with the tea and a tray full of small sandwiches, tarts, and biscuits. Amy eyed them, then shook her head and poured their tea. She handed William a plate, which he immediately filled up.
“Aren’t you having anything besides tea?”
Amy sighed. “I’m afraid not. I think I need to cut back on treats.”
“Why?” He looked genuinely surprised, which warmed her heart.
“Because I need to lose a bit of weight.”
He shook his head. “No you don’t.” He popped a piece of lemon tart into his mouth. “This is very good.”
Attempting to distract herself, she said, “Mrs. Whitney is beside herself with concern over her stepson, Patrick. Mr. Harding was the trustee for the trust Mrs. Whitney’s deceased husband set up for her in his will. She is afraid Patrick learned that Mr. Harding was stealing from her and went after the man.”
“Does she think Patrick may have had something to do with Harding’s murder?”
“She didn’t say that exactly, but she did say that her stepson went missing around the same time Mr. Harding was discovered in the riv
er.”
