Christmas Revels III by Hannah Meredith

Author:Hannah Meredith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hannah Meredith
Published: 2016-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Adam met with Eve as she returned to the main floor. “I’ve reported our findings to Sir Isaiah. He’s mystified by what we’ve discovered, too.”

She signaled him to follow her into a side passage, and he went with her willingly. “I’ve learned something, and I need you to ask Lord Stonehill about it without giving away where you heard it.”

Adam nodded. Her position in her brother-in-law’s house must be tenuous.

“Robert said to Mr. Mattingly, ‘That’s the deuce of it. I’m afraid you might be right.’ The person who overheard this heard nothing before it to indicate the subject under discussion.”

“And after it?” Something had to make this lovely, sensible woman worried over these innocuous words.

“Mr. Mattingly asked Robert about his options if Ann and the baby both died.” She looked up at him, wringing her hands and biting her lower lip.

He stared at her lips and felt himself drawn toward them. Hold steady, you fool. She needs your help. “Ah, er, that hardly sounds like a reason for Mattingly to come all the way out here from London. In winter weather.”

“What was Mattingly’s background? Is he a relative of Lord Farnleigh that I haven’t heard about?”

Sir Isaiah had shown him the family tree that morning. “If he was, he was born on the wrong side of the blanket.” When he realized he’d spoken aloud, he added, “Pardon me. He doesn’t show up in the family records.”

“It’s hardly something to apologize for unless you were responsible, and it’s obvious you weren’t. Mr. Mattingly was at least your age and possibly a few years older.” She was staring at the wall and tapping her fingertips together, probably too busy thinking to worry about how her words could be taken.

Adam wanted to laugh. It was such a relief to hear an unvarnished opinion.

“But what was his family background? Were there any rumors?” she asked him.

“Oh, yes, plenty. Many started by Mattingly himself. A firm of solicitors paid for his schooling, including university. When I made inquiries, I was told they had given their word never to reveal who paid for his education or his army commission, which he cashed out after only a couple of years.”

“So he never faced Napoleon?”

“No.”

“But you did. Second sons go into the army, don’t they?”

“Yes, I was in the army and fought against Napoleon.” He forced the words out past paralyzed lips. He tried never to think of the war during the day. It reduced the number of bad dreams he faced at night.

He glanced down to discover she had taken his hand. “I’m glad you returned.”

“So am I.”

She smiled at his words. Somehow, her smile alone was enough to make the nightmares he’d carried home recede.

“Now, perhaps I should ask Lord Farnleigh directly if Mattingly was here because he was an unacknowledged relative.”

“If the solicitors wouldn’t tell you, why would they tell Mattingly?”

“Perhaps they had a letter they’d given Mattingly on an important birthday. A letter from his benefactor, whoever that might be.”

“Then I suspect you have no choice but to talk to the marquess next.

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