What Darkness Brings

Chapter 15



C

harles, Lord Jarvis, lounged comfortably in an overstuffed armchair beside his host’s hearth, a glass of good French brandy cradled in one palm, his head tipped back to rest against the seat’s high back as he watched his host pace across the carpet. The sound of wind-driven rain slapping against the windowpanes and drumming on the leaves of the trees outside filled the room.

“The brandy is undeniably excellent,” said Jarvis, pausing to take a delicate sip. “But I don’t think you invited me here for my opinion on your cellars.”

Otto von Riedesel, the man pacing the room, whirled to face him. Big boned and stocky, and well into his fifth decade, he wore the black broadcloth dolman and black trousers of a colonel in the Black Brunswickers, a volunteer corps who fought the French at Britain’s side. Although the Duke of Brunswick was, technically, Britain’s ally, von Riedesel’s position as the Duke’s representative in London was nevertheless delicate. For while Brunswick was both first cousin and brother-in-law to the Prince Regent, Prinny had long been estranged from Princess Caroline, his plump, slightly mad wife, who was the daughter of the late Duke of Brunswick and sister to the present one.

“This murder is troubling. Most troubling,” said the colonel, smoothing his hand down over his flowing black mustache. His cheeks were full and ruddy, his nose a bulbous, unrefined blob. Despite his uniform and rank, the colonel’s days of active campaigning were now over. He’d grown soft and, Jarvis was beginning to suspect, dangerously timid.

“Really? I wouldn’t have said so.”

The Brunswicker’s heavy brows drew together in a frown. “You vould have me believe all is under control?”

“It is, yes. Although if you show the world that worried face, you will only succeed in focusing attention on that which you wish to conceal, thus bringing about precisely what you would prefer to avoid.”

“Easy for you to say.” Von Riedesel brought his own brandy to his lips and drained the glass. “It is not you who vill be ruined if the truth gets out.”

“It won’t get out,” said Jarvis.