Six Degrees of Scandal by Caroline Linden

Author:Caroline Linden
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-02-06T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The next morning dawned bright and clear, the sky a cerulean blue that gave the impression heaven was smiling on them. Or at least Olivia took it as such, nursing the residual glow of happiness inside her. Jamie woke her with a kiss, and that seemed an omen of good fortune to come.

They located the local vicarage without any trouble. Unfortunately, the vicar turned out to be an elderly bachelor who had never heard of Miss Charters, although he did allow that if she had married years ago, he might have forgotten. He helpfully supplied them with a list of nearby parishes, noting which ones were held by married men.

Since the day was crisp but not frigid, and the Isle of Thanet not very large, they decided to visit as many as possible. It was a little over four miles to Margate on another good road, so they headed north with the idea of working their way south. But every vicar and curate they visited could not, or would not, help them.

“I’m not sure I believe her,” Olivia said with a sigh as they went back to the carriage at the vicarage of St. Peter’s, where the flinty-eyed vicar’s wife watched them from her door. The woman, Mrs. Palmer, had been polite enough until they mentioned Mr. Charters of Gravesend, when her manner abruptly grew cold and dismissive.

“Nor do I.” Jamie was facing the church, his gaze drifting up. Olivia followed it, but saw only the church tower, the pale gray stone stark against the deepening indigo of the winter sky. “Let’s stop for a bite to eat,” he said, almost absently.

It didn’t take long to find a respectable-looking tavern called “The Anchor,” and Jamie turned in. When they stepped inside, the smell of roasting meat and baking bread made Olivia’s stomach rumble. A crowd of older gentlemen were seated by the fire, and to Olivia’s surprise, Jamie chose a table quite near them. He ordered food and drink, then leaned back in his chair. “I wonder if we’re looking in the proper places.”

“What do you mean?” Olivia asked quietly, with an apprehensive glance over her shoulder. Jamie hadn’t lowered his voice, and anyone might have overheard him.

“We’ve got so little information,” he said, still at full volume. “But it occurred to me that we’re looking for a person who must live within a very easy distance of the coast.”

“Oh. Because . . . ?” She raised her brows instead of saying the rest. It was probably her imagination, but it seemed the conversation behind them had grown quieter.

“For several reasons. First, to know the weather at the coast. We know the weather was crucial. Second, to be available on a moment’s notice.”

She shifted uneasily. What was he doing? “Perhaps you’re right,” she murmured.

“It may hasten our search,” he said. “Since we’ve got little time.”

Olivia nodded, vastly relieved when the serving woman returned with plates of food. Her relief evaporated, though, when Jamie asked the woman if she knew of any neighbors who hailed from Gravesend originally.

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