The Dead Sang Off Key by J. L. Buck

Author:J. L. Buck
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery. England, summer of 1813. 
Lady Anne Ashburn and her father are at Seaford, a seaside resort, recovering from her mother’s death. When the earl is called to Parliament in London, Anne becomes bored and explores nearby Singing Cave. Her maid is telling her tales of smugglers and the ghost who haunts the cave when they discover the body of a dead woman. By the time authorities go there, the body is gone, and no one believes Lady Anne. When her own attempts to discover the woman’s identity are hindered by the local magistrate’s disparaging remarks, she reaches out to Lord Ware.
Lucien, Viscount Ware, and his fellow agent Andrew Sherbourne are engaged in a secret inquiry for the Crown, hunting for a kidnapped young woman whose father is being forced to spy for France to keep her alive. Lucien would have gone to Seaford just to see Anne, but he and Sherbourne find it an odd coincidence that she has found a young woman…and they are looking for one.
What Lucien learns in Seaford nearly gets him killed and leads him and Lady Anne back to London. Another murder, a bounty on Lucien’s head, a perilous ride in the park, an ambush, a mysterious note, and a very slippery French spy keep Lucien and Lady Anne busy searching for answers
Publisher: Epicenter Press Inc.
Published: 2024-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

London, 24 June 1813

Lucien arrived at Lord Chadley’s residence to find the household in a bustle. Lady Anne hurried into the drawing room with a smile.

“My lord, you catch us unprepared for company,” she said, holding out a hand. He took it and bowed, returning her smile.

“I apologize for coming unannounced, but what is all this?”

“I arrived late yesterday evening to find we are moving today. My father has bought a house in town and had hoped to complete the move before I arrived. As it is, we are all at sixes and sevens, and the housekeeper has hinted more than once that I am in her way.” She laughed prettily. “I had your message, my lord, and I do apologize, but I have not had a moment to answer it. I had hoped to do so by this evening.”

“I would not have rushed you, but I have a question that urgently wants answering… Get your bonnet, and we’ll take a quick turn in the park. Your housekeeper can be about her business, and we shall have an opportunity to talk in private.”

“You are being very mysterious,” she said, giving him a quizzical look. “I suppose you are deliberately playing on my curiosity, but you’re correct, Mrs. Pearson would do better without me.” She smiled up at him. “Shall we go?”

She wasn’t a fussy woman, and it only took her a matter of moments to put on hat and gloves, select a parasol, and join him.

“How was your journey from Seaford?” he asked as he handed her into his curricle. They continued to chat about this and that as they traversed the streets and entered Hyde Park. On such a beautiful summer day, it was a popular place with walkers, drivers, and riders enjoying the paths and fragrant gardens. Lucien navigated his way from the entrance to a less congested area, before turning the conversation to the Hidalgo inquiry.

“I wish you would not take offense, dear lady, but I must ask if you have spoken to anyone about Rosa Hidalgo, her death, or even mentioned her name.”

She cocked her head. “Only you and Constable Harrison. Of course, there were many who knew I had found a body, but her name was unknown to them and remains so to my knowledge. Why do you ask?”

“Not even to Lady Julia?” he persisted. “It would have been natural for her to ask you.”

Lady Anne shook her head, frowning at him. “She hinted at it, but when I changed the subject, she accepted it. What is this about, my lord?”

“The spies have cut off contact with Hidalgo, leading us to fear they know his part in the espionage has been discovered. We are trying to determine how they know. There may be another spy in our midst.”

She turned to looked at his face, her eyes widening. “Surely you are not accusing me.”

Lucien was so taken aback he laughed. “Absolutely not, my lady. Before we go hunting for spies, we want to eliminate all the innocent ways the information might have slipped out.

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