Nature of the Crime: A Bow Street Duchess Mystery (A Romantic Regency Historical Mystery) (Bow Street Duchess Mystery Series Book 6) by Devlin Cara

Author:Devlin, Cara
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: First Cup Press
Published: 2024-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Thirteen

The invitation to Lieutenant Edmunds’s private barracks arrived shortly after Hugh departed for Folkestone. The note had been addressed and delivered to the duke, and only because Audrey and Cassie had been lounging in the sitting room, bored enough to play a game of chess, had they seen Michael preparing to leave the inn. When he explained the lieutenant had summoned him to discuss the two inquests, Audrey launched herself from her poorly cushioned chair.

“If you will be discussing the two murders I have been connected to, I am coming with you.”

“That isn’t necessary,” Michael replied. “You can trust that I will see that your best interests are upheld.”

With a tick of her cheek, she suppressed her temper. “It isn’t a matter of whether I trust you or don’t. I can speak for and defend myself. If I am to be discussed in this meeting, then I will be there. Greer, fetch my pelisse, if you will.”

Her maid, who had been sitting with Cassie’s maid, Ruth, disappeared on her errand. Cassie stood and brushed her skirt. “Well, I’m not sitting here alone. Ruth?”

Her maid followed in Greer’s footsteps. Michael tossed up his hands.

“Shall we bring Thornton? What about Sir? While we’re at it, let’s invite Mrs. Bloody Plimpton.”

His fit of pique was not solely due to Audrey and Cassie insisting on accompanying him. He was worried for Genie. The timing of this whole debacle was indeed rotten. He should be with his beloved wife, not stuck in Dover attempting to see his sister-in-law free from murder charges.

“Shall we bring Thornton where?” the physician said gaily, joining them as he descended the stairs.

“Nowhere interesting,” Cassie said as Michael groaned in annoyance.

Audrey answered, “The Western Heights. We’re meeting with Lieutenant Edmunds.”

Thornton pointedly ignored Cassie’s sour mien. “Excellent. I’ll get my coat and hat.”

They were on their way within a few minutes, led by two of their military guards. Audrey learned their names were Corporals Hart and Levens, and that they were more than happy to have been selected for guard duty.

“Drills in this weather are nightmarish,” Corporal Levens imparted. Then, with a reserved grin, “I’d rather sit in Mrs. Plimpton’s inn and stay warm, dry, and fed than be up at the Western Heights, losing all feeling in my fingers and toes.”

They were both hardly older than the youngest of the Sinclair children, Tobias, who was in his final year at Cambridge. Even with their faces still soft and whisker-free, in their meticulous uniforms, with cocked soldier’s hats, sidearms, tassels, brass buttons, and braid, they had a rugged and severe quality that Tobias had not developed. The life of a soldier would not be half as posh as that of a man at university.

As they wended their way to Snargate Street and the Grand Shaft that the corporals explained would take them to the Western Heights above town, they learned that at one point, hundreds of soldiers had resided in the barracks, but now that number had been drastically reduced. In the

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