AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER12
Slade and Latham arrived at the townhouse on Henrietta Street to find his brother up and eating supper. Slade determined that two guards were discreetly monitoring the outside of the place and felt better, knowing his brother’s life was being safeguarded. He met two more men in the townhouse, posing as the butler and footman. “I am his brother, the Marquess of Hertford, he said to the one that answered the door.”
The man looked at Latham. “This is my best friend, Viscount Thomas Latham,” Slade added.
The man nodded. “I will announce you both, my lords,” he said. “Wait here.”
Slade could hear his brother’s laughter and smiled. Graham was taking amusement where he could find it.
“You may follow me,” the brawny, balding one said. They went upstairs to a private dining room. They maintained well the place as a safe-house. While the outside looked rather nondescript, the interior looked especially nice.
“Slade, Latham, come in. Join me,” Graham said, pointing to two chairs. “We have plenty, as you can see.” He waved his hand over a large buffet of food.
“How are you feeling?” Slade asked, pulling up a chair. “You have enough here to feed many. Who were you expecting?” He held up his cup but realized the footman was not planning to serve. He was here to secure. Shrugging, Slade stood and poured his wine from the buffet. “Can I get anyone else wine?” he asked.
“I would like some more,” Graham and Latham said at the same time, both holding up their cups.
Slade smiled. “Happy to oblige.” He glanced at the footman whose face never changed expression and poured the wine. It was good to see his brother healthy and in good humor. He would gladly serve wine to see that.
The three of them focused on their plates, eating in silence.
“I was hungry,” Graham said, finally pushing back.
“I can believe it,” Slade said, smiling. “Nothing like coming back to life on an empty stomach.” He laughed, realizing it was the relief he was reacting to.
“I know you have been investigating this. I have my suspicions, mostly based on intuition, but I need to hear evidence. What have you gleaned?” Graham asked, leaning toward Slade and Latham.
“As you know, we are being harassed by the East India Company. We have had contact with the agent who we suspect has besieged our shipments. We have an important shipment coming up. Until now, it has been peripheral stuff—spices, cloth, whiskey shipments. Nothing that challenges the East India Company. But our latest contract could upset them. The thing about it is none of this existed when Father was murdered,” Slade said. “It does not fit. There must be something . . . one thing that can provide clarity. That is what I need.”
“What are your thoughts, Your Grace?” Latham inserted, filling his wineglass again. “Hertford mentioned some hints you had written. But we could not use them.”
“I apologize. I have an opinion based on hunches.” He looked away. “I do not even want to point this finger without evidence, which I had prayed would emerge . . . pointing toward innocence or guilt.”
“Who?” Slade demanded.
“If I tell you, I am afraid you will not see past it, and I am not positive. I do not have a motive,” Graham offered sadly. “We are no further than we have been.”
“I respect your logic, Graham, but I am not happy. This person may not be finished and not knowing who to watch may harm someone else.” Annoyance laced Slade’s voice.
“I realize that, brother.” Graham took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I also want Father’s killer.”
“I have a person or two to discuss,” Slade said.
“Let us retire to the library and talk,” suggested Graham. “Wortle should come back soon. He can join us.
“That reminds me. Wortle said Fellows was here, but I have not seen him,” Slade commented.
“I sent him home just before you arrived. The man had been here for days, and I sent him home. Once I felt human again, I thought food and company would do much to bolster me,” his brother said with a lopsided grin.
Slade shared what he and Latham had learned about the spot where they suspected the men targeting the older duke had waited, as well as the information about Lady Evers and the debt she had accrued while in Brighton. The look of consternation on his brother’s face spoke volumes. There was obvious concern there. Slade was convinced he was not on the wrong track. “There is no evidence of gambling, yet she has enormous debts. Wortle quoted me thirty thousand pounds.”
“I would bet her parents know nothing of this,” Graham murmured.
“Her father would take care of her vowels if he were aware. That she has not shared it, adds suspicion,” Latham supplied.
Slade wanted to bring up the letter his brother left him but decided not to. Graham’s interest level and his facial expression told him everything he needed to know.
When he felt he had weighted his brother with all the information they could share, he told Graham about the acquisition of Gracie, and her connection to the investigation. “My feeling is we have a witness in Gracie,” Slade said, grinning. “You must meet her soon.”
