A Lark's Flight: A Verity Lark Mystery (Verity Lark Mysteries Book 2) by Lynn Messina

Author:Lynn Messina [Messina, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Potatoworks Press
Published: 2023-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Sunday, May 31

12:52 p.m.

Standing in front of 12 White Grove Lane, Verity felt certain she was in the wrong place. This building, with its molded brick cornice, segmental arches framing the windows, and wooden doorframe with Doric rusticated pilasters, was clearly the elegant abode of a well-to-do merchant. Although the reform movement could count among its adherents men of wealth and power—the Earl Gray, for instance, had long subscribed to its principles and Lord Althorph had spoken in Parliament in defense of liberalism—it drew little support from cits. Prosperous business owners in general had no use for reformers, whose objectives directly threatened to reduce their profits.

In destroying stocking frames, the Luddites and their ilk were not seeking to halt progress so much as to call attention to the callousness of factory owners, who did not consider their workers human beings so much as expensive machinery. Efficient knitting contraptions were not only cheaper to operate but also required less coddling. They did not stop in the middle of a twelve-hour shift to complain about stiff fingers.

It was possible that the residence belonged to a banker, for they also lived in spacious homes with Grecian columns. Verity doubted it, however, based on the neighborhood. This portion of Marylebone was emphatically a merchant district.

What business could Oxenford and Dircks have here?

The answer was none, she thought, as she looked again at the number to confirm she was in the correct place: twelve.

Yes, that was the one Oxenford had provided.

What game was he playing, she wondered, unable to conceive of any dealings the founder of the Society of Yarwellian Philosophers could have with the inhabitant of such an elegant establishment.

Had he fobbed her off with a lie, rattling off the first address that occurred to him?

She allowed it was likely.

Both Oxenford and Dircks had been eager to dispense with the shrill Mrs. McTawdry and would have said anything to send her on her way. In that respect, it was a successful maneuver, for she and the Runner had toddled off obligingly.

But if it was merely a lie to get them to leave, then it was an unintentionally revealing one, for why on earth would 12 White Grove Lane be on his mind at all, let alone the first thing he would think of when pressed for an address?

There was a connection—of that, she was certain—but she could not fathom the nature of the association. If the occupant was not an ally of the cause, then perhaps he was a target of it. Oxenford might have been watching the home to figure out the best way for the Yarwellians to undermine its owner.

Unable to properly comprehend the situation without additional information, including the identity of the merchant and whether he had actually met with the founders, Verity considered how to find out what she needed to know. Shedding Mrs. Tawdry’s stained petticoats, she had dressed in a plain wool suit, which suited many of her characters. A capable clerk would do nicely, she thought, one who was following up on his employer’s business.

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