Peregrine nodded. “Point well made.” He leaned back and crossed his legs, staring at the fire. “I don’t think I ever met him, but I know m’father did. Used to pop down to Southampton, meet up with Ridlington and do a spot of fishing I think. On the River Test.” He steepled his fingertips and rested his chin on them while he thought.
Max remained silent. He knew Perry was a man who liked to think before he spoke. It was a pertinent belief that others would do well to emulate.
“I never got the feeling m’father actually liked the man. And passing comments I recall from my Cambridge days make me think he was a cold-blooded piece of work. Up in town within a week of his first wife’s death, looking for another one. That sort of thing. Not smart with the financial end of the estate, that’s for sure. In fact, there were several people I know who were ready to bid on the property when he died. Lucky the oldest son was a great deal smarter than his father.”
“Indeed.” Max took it all in.
“So I suppose it would be fair to say he was cold, selfish and uncaring of the title and the estate. I can only assume his attitudes also carried over to his children. They were not presented, only mentioned in passing. And very seldom, I might add. Then not at all once the old man fell ill. And few made the connection between Captain Edmund Holbury and Jack Ridlington.” He frowned. “They probably should have. There is an eyebrow similarity, if I’m not mistaken.”
Max restrained a chuckle as he recalled that fierce set of eyebrows menacing him. “Interesting.” He thought over Perry’s words. “Not a man to care about raising a family of six, I would guess.”
“True.” Perry shifted in his chair. “The Ridlington Pearls.”
“Good God, I’d forgotten they were called that silly nickname.”
“And yet you have one pearl as your mistress…”
“Nominally, yes.”
Perry glanced at him, a question in his eyes.
Max merely shrugged. “Well thank you for that information. It helps.” He stretched out his legs and groaned. “Now if you have any idea who would saw through the spokes of my carriage, I’d be much obliged.”
Perry’s face froze. “It wasn’t an accident?”
“No, it wasn’t.” Max was all business. “It was deliberate. One wheel, at least. Couldn’t tell if others were similarly affected. I intend to find out who would do such a thing and why.”
“So you’re assuming it was meant for you?”
“How can I assume otherwise? It was my carriage, Perry. Dancey took it without my leave to abscond with Hecate Ridlington. His plan was to seduce her out of her virginity and then leave her once he’d had his fill of her.”
“That young man was vermin, Max. It amazes me that he is being mourned. I can understand his mistress experiencing extreme grief, but I cannot honestly say the world is lessened by his death.”
“And I cannot argue that, but he is dead, so our opinions must be moderated.”
“Agreed, but still. Vermin.” Perry’s voice held a tinge of regret.
“Which all leaves me with many questions and no answers.” Max looked at his friend. “And no idea where to start.”
Perry sat up. “Let me make a few inquiries? I have friends in low places.” He grinned. “Some of whom might be willing to part with a tip or two for mere shillings…”
“That would be help indeed.” A thought came to him. “Do you know who his mistress was, by any chance?”
“Some fast widow or other.” Perry closed his eyes for a moment. “Wait…I have it. Weston. Lady Dorothea Weston.”
“Good Lord.” Max was surprised. “Didn’t she just bury husband number two? Or was it three?”
His friend nodded. “Apparently she marries old and fucks young, if you’ll pardon the blunt assessment. Although I’m pretty sure I overheard comments about her deep affection for Miller-James. There were whispers she was lining him up for husband number four.”
“Is she still accepted in society?”
“Oh yes,” sighed Perry. “She has the wealth to gain admittance anywhere. Pity her character isn’t as impressive as her bank account.”
“Agreed. All of which is most depressing and reminds me of why I eased myself away from the Ton. However, it doesn’t help with my current lines of investigation.” Max shrugged.
“I have a few friends in high places. Neighbors, almost, you could say.” He looked amused. “I might invite one or two over for that brandy I’ve been saving. If anyone has a finger on what’s happening beneath the London scene, it’s them.”
Max, who knew there were more than a few Government departments operating under conditions of utter secrecy, nodded. “Any and all information will be gratefully received, Perry. And should you be required to deplete that brandy, I shall endeavour to replace it with one of equal value. Or better.”
Perry laughed. “I knew there was a good reason we’re friends.”
~~~~*
It had been a long day for Kitty.
She had explored Mowbray House, finding it a tidy and well-organized home, though lacking in what she might well have called the “feminine” touch. There were more leather chairs than upholstered ones, but since it was a man’s estate, she acknowledged that the man himself was permitted his choice of furnishings.
The gardens might be interesting, but the inclement weather kept her indoors. Indeed, she was glad of the fires the efficient servants kept burning in the main rooms downstairs.
The library turned out to be a wonderland of books, and for the first time in many years, Kitty was able to browse, select, put back and then finally decide on some reading material. She’d formed the habit at Ridlington, having little else to occupy her time between her lessons. Friends were not an option for the Ridlington children, since their father’s attitude toward the local gentry was not conducive to more than one visit.
She knew Letitia was a frequent visitor, and Hecate was known to wander with armfuls of books from a young age. Governesses and tutors came and went—no illiterate offspring for Baron Ridlington—but the books were permanent fixtures, and became friends for lonely children.
Deep into a delightful novel by “A Lady”, Kitty had been startled by a knock at the door.
“A message, Miss Ridlington.” Deery came in with a note on a tray. “I knew you’d want it immediately. It is from your brother.”
She sprang from her snug corner of the couch and hurried to him. “You’re absolutely right, Deery. Thank you.”
With shaking hands, she eased away the seal and read the short note, a smile bursting through.
“Is it good news about your sister, Miss?”
“It is, Deery. Oh it is.” She wanted to dance and hug the man. He seemed to sense it, and stepped back a little. “They arrived safely at home, and Hecate is none the worse. She has actually woken for a few minutes, consumed a little broth, and is now settled with them.”
Kitty let her arms fall to her sides, the letter clasped in one of them. She closed her eyes and gave a brief prayer of thanks.
“Here, now, Miss, don’t you faint.” Deery sounded quite worried.
She opened her eyes again. “I won’t. I promise. I am just so relieved that it quite took my breath away.”