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“No, however, I need to leave straight away. I apologize for leaving everything on your shoulders, yet you are probably more capable of this side of the work than I am. You have all the contacts.”
Latham inclined his head. “Do not think about it. Your family is like a second family to me. Go to them.”
“I have reason to believe my father’s death and my brother’s injury was no accident.” Slade could hear the nerves in his voice. “I must go home.”
“Your brother works for the Crown. Except for your father, ’tis a well-kept secret. Could the accident have been related?” Latham’s question mimicked the single thought traveling through his mind. “I do not know. But he said he left me more information and I must get to it. I left with the understanding Graham had resigned his position with the Crown, at Father’s behest. So, it could be anything, I suppose.”
“We both know the Crown is already investigating this—a carriage incident that badly injured one of its agents and killed a duke. Perhaps that information awaits you. Go. Mercer and I will take care of the cargo,” Latham said. “Once things are situated, I will meet you at your home. I should like to pay my respects to your family.”
“I will be at the family townhouse.” Drake glanced at the man next to him. “Your friendship is invaluable, Latham. With my new obligations, we will have to change our business arrangement.” Latham knew about his brother because he and Latham had worked with the Crown several years ago. It was how they had met. He had never shared the relationship with his father. If Graham knew, Drake was confident he would not have told their father, just as he never shared his own association with the Intelligence agency. “One question. Do you know anyone named ‘Dorset?’”
“The name sounds familiar. I believe I have heard him connected to investments. Yes! He was my father’s man of business. If not him, it was someone else with the same name. Was he involved with this?” Latham asked.
Slade shook his head. “I do not believe so. Graham’s note made a short mention of him, but with no specificity.”
Latham nodded and inclined his head towards the window, where their friends Bobby Mercer and Michael Ballard were waiting outside the tavern. “I will let Mercer and Ballard know what has happened. We will take care of things here. I think you have a carriage waiting.” He started to leave and stopped. “Keep an eye out for anyone or anything unusual.”
Drake followed the gaze of his friend and spotted the black carriage sitting off to the side of the tavern. “I will do that.” He left a piece of silver and the two men walked toward the carriage. Slade would have to change the business arrangement with Latham, but that could wait until they met up later this week. For now, Latham would handle things.
He needed to focus on his family. Slade stepped into the carriage and sat across from Wortle. Wordlessly, the two rode to his family’s home in London.
“We have some documents in the office that need your attention, my lord,” Wortle said in his somber tone.
Slade nodded. “My mother and sisters—are they here?” he asked, his mind still on what was in front of him.
Wortle shook his head. “Your mother and younger sister are in Dover with your brother. They wanted to move him, but he refused, saying he would wait to see you.”
“I leave for Dover tomorrow,” Slade uttered.Graham prefers the country estate, Slade thought. As the carriage rolled to a stop, Slade faced the man. “I have many questions. I assume there is an investigation.”
“I understand there is, my lord,” Wortle replied.
“I want to know everything they found. I would like that information, as you find it.”
“We have an office in Dover, my lord. We have some accounts in Dover that need attention. Therefore, should you need anything I can assist with, send word.”
“I leave at dawn for Dover.”
* * *
Two days later, Slade walked up the steps of Hertford Hall, his family’s country estate, anxious to see his family. As he approached the portico, the door opened, and Norman stepped out. “My lord, you are home. We are glad to have you back.”
He inclined his head, unsure of what else to say as he walked into the family mansion. The shrouded mirror met his notice immediately, a reminder of his father’s death. “Where can I find my mother, Norman?”
“She asked that dinner be sent up to her room, my lord,” the old retainer said. Slade noticed the look of fatigue on the older man’s face. He had been close to his brother.
“I just found out about Father’s death and Graham’s injuries. I am still coming to grips with everything. I will see my mother.”
“Yes, my lord,” Norman replied, bowing his head.
As he reached the next floor, he heard his mother’s voice and that of his sister’s. They were both having dinner in his mother’s apartment. He heard china and knew he would interrupt their meal. Perhaps he should change. He gave it a thought and decided against it, knocking on the door.
“Come in,” his mother answered.
Slade opened the door to his mother’s apartment, startling both his mother and sister. They looked up and immediately ran to hug him.
“Son! You have returned,” his mother gushed, hugging him before stepping back and looking at him. “Welcome home. We have missed you . . .Ihave missed you.”
“How is he faring?” He looked directly at his mother, determined to know anything she might hold back.
“Not well. He is looking for you,” she replied, her voice choked with emotion.
“What of my brother’s betrothed . . . Lady Caroline Evers? Is she in residence with us?” He hated to ask of her because it meant saying her name. She had been betrothed to his brother, but Slade found it hard to be in the woman’s company for reasons he could not adequately enumerate. On the surface, she was an outrageous flirt, even with the betrothal and the gossip sheets had been unkind. Still, her brother had gone along with the betrothal, which had been maddening. The woman was not who he would have seen Graham marry.
His mother’s demeanor turned cool. “She has sent her condolences for your father and said she will be here for Graham as soon as possible.”
“Interesting.” He expected chastisement from his mother on his slight disparagement towards Lady Caroline Evers. No. His mother nearly looked away, unwilling to share her own opinion. Slade wondered what held Lady Evers’ interest in remaining in Brighton had been—a slight his mother had not missed.
So, his mother had also discovered the thinness of Lady Evers’ affections. He had always suspected as much with the woman.Actions speak louder than words, as his father had been fond of saying. If the woman had cared for his brother, she would have moved heaven and earth to be by his side. He was thankful she had not made the journey, as he found it hard to maintain civility in her presence.
He followed his mother as far as her rooms and promised to see her in the morning. Right now, he needed to see Graham.
