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Drake nodded in understanding. “I expected to speak to your father, as well.”
“Sister, shall you remain with me?” the viscount asked.
Slade wanted her to stay. He wanted to go back to their picnic. He did not want to deal with another death . . . even if that death was faked. He did not want to mourn the loss of a father he adored. He wished he could turn back the clock. Sadly, Slade knew he would not get his way on any of it.
A prickling at his neck made him turn and discover he was the object of Lady Evers’s scrutiny. She had been watching him, probably including the exchange with Bella and her brother. The woman needed to leave, but how soon could he manage that? He would speak with Mother later and devise something she could find agreeable.
“Your Grace,” a cloying voice said behind him.
He turned and kept a solemn look pasted on his face. “Lady Evers, I am truly sorry, but we have had a strenuous day. You will excuse me.”
Two hours later, except for Latham, the guests had departed, and the funeral and visitation were behind him. Lady Evers had retired to the guest suite. Slade still wanted to go to London, and he hoped he could convince Tabetha and his mother to go as well.
Both men sat quietly in the study and sipped on a brandy, gazing into the fire that had just been banked by the footman, Cain.
“I have a message for you,” Latham said, finally. “I ran into Wortle, and he asked me to tell you all was well. Does that mean something?” He arched a brow.
Slade wondered how much Latham knew or thought he knew. Of course, he trusted Latham with his life. There was no question of that. But there was more at stake here than in his life. Graham had had reason to believe his entire family was in danger.
He rolled the glass in his hand before taking a sip. “Where did you see him?” Slade asked, deciding to find out what Latham knew.
Latham arched a brow, appearing to mull over his answer. “I received a note asking to meet him in front of the tavern, where he originally met you.”
Slade nodded in understanding. “So, you areknowledgeable. I thought so. Oddly, it pleases me. I would not wish to handle this alone. Did he send a meeting spot?”
“Yes. He asked that you send word on when he can meet with you. The townhouse is fine, since he is connected to your family’s solicitor,” Latham added.
“It is frightening, all things considered. I have to visit.” He stopped before mentioning his brother’s name, weighing the risk of being overheard.
“Were I in your situation, I might feel the same. I plan to return to London. Care to join me?” Latham’s tone was laced with meaning.
“Thank you. I would appreciate the company. I have also asked Mother and Tabetha to come, hoping an unmarked carriage would deliver them to the house in Mayfair with little notice. Women have to endure much more than men do during a mourning period.” He sipped his drink. “I have never understood the disproportion in roles.”
“I agree. However, now is not the time to question social mores,” Latham said under his breath, motioning towards the opened door behind them. “How long will Lady Evers be in town?”
“Too long,” Slade hissed quietly. “I could turn the nuisance out today. She is casting about for someone else to sink her claws in. I made it quite clear I had no interest.”
Latham chortled. “Why do you not tell me how you feel?”
The two men laughed quietly.
Small footsteps sounded from in the hall and Slade got up and walked to the door. Before closing it, he looked about for evidence of anyone lurking before closing it and retaking his seat. He was aware it would not insure privacy with Lady Evers still in the house. “To make matters worse, I caught her watching me and Lady Bella today. I am not sure why, but the hair on the back of my neck prickles when she is about.”
Latham gave him a serious look. “The woman bears watching. I am not saying anything you do not know when I tell you she has a reputation for inserting herself.”
“I can see that.” Slade swallowed a sip of the brandy and allowed it to warm his mouth for a moment. “That she was notably absent when Graham was brought here leads me to wonder what she might have been doing in Brighton. Part of me wishes she had stayed there. But a nagging part of me wants to know what she did. I plan to send my brother’s . . . my man of business there to ask questions. Graham gave him glowing accolades for his discretion. It would be an excellent test of his abilities.”
Latham gave a long pause. “I need to make you aware of something. The darned agent for the East India Company has shown himself again. He has gotten more aggressive.”
“Agent Winters—if that is his real name—continues to be a thorn in our sides; however, maybe ’tis the other way around,” Slade acknowledged.
“Possibly. This time, he sabotaged a shipment of silks and pottery, substituting it for the delivery of male slaves. His deceptions grow more dangerous. Winters is trying to get us tangled with the slavers.” Latham held up his hand. “Do not worry. I received assurance the slaves were freed and released. The captain of our ship took it upon himself to issue the papers. Perhaps whoever received our spices will be satisfied with the inadvertent trade.”
“I am surprised he did not steal them, himself,” Slade grumbled. “You are right. He is ramping up the ante with every sabotage. Trouble follows those slavers being caught transporting slaves on these shores in these times. We should reward the captain for his forward and fast thinking.”
“They are being very careful not to leave a trail to their door,” remarked Latham. “Had we not received the intel on the man, we might not know the origin of these disruptions. The EIC gets more aggressive with their efforts.”
A chill ran down Slade’s back. He was silent a moment before speaking. “EIC has a reputation. Do you think they could be responsible for my family’s loss?” His voice cracked to think creating his business could have led to his father’s death.
“The truth is I do not know. The company is capable of many things, atrocities among them, but killing a duke seems a step too far, even for the East India Company,” Latham replied and put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “We will find out who did this, Slade.”
“When we do, I swear the person will live to regret it,” Slade vowed.
