‘Two friends of James’s have died – a suicide with no apparent reason and a murder. We were called to the suicide and found the second, murdered, body.’
‘Does this put James in danger? And I do not mean is he at risk of being hit over the head as you have been.’
So, she knew about James. She might not be spelling it out but, thank heavens, she was not condemning him, either. It was a relief to know that he had more than Luc’s support within the family.
‘Yes, I do think it has the potential to do him harm. Both men were friends of his. He had no closer involvement with them than belonging to the same clubs, going to the same meeting places and social events. But mud sticks.’
‘Therefore the sooner this is solved, the better, you are saying? And how is your American… friend involved?’
‘She is intelligent, has a very fresh view of the social scene here and has some experience of how crimes can best be solved.’
‘Not a lady then?’
‘Most certainly a lady, but not a conventional one.’
I smiled to myself at the warmth in his voice as he defended me.
‘I see.’ It was clear that Lady Radcliffe did not and that she was not a woman who enjoyed a mystery unless she was creating it herself. ‘And what am I supposed to say when people mention her to me?’
‘You look down your nose at them – much as you are looking at me now – and intimate that you do not acknowledge the young lady. At the same time make it clear that you are aware of her and do not contradict the story that she is a remote connection.’
I may have imagined the relief in Lady Radcliffe’s voice when she said, ‘Very well. Now, tell me what I can do to assist your investigations.’
‘Thank you, Mama. Who do you know at the Home Office?’
‘With the new administration? I must know someone, I suppose. Yes, now I come to think of it, certainly I do. In whom are you interested?’
‘The two Under-Secretaries, Sir Thomas Reece and Mr Salmond. The man who committed suicide worked for Salmond. And when you are amongst the ladies they will no doubt tell you that the murdered man we found was a Doctor Talbot, a fashionable accoucheur.’
‘I know Lady Reece – dreadful pushy woman. Her father is an earl and she can never forget it. And you would like the gossip about the doctor too, I suppose?’
‘That would be helpful, thank you. Lady Turnham, a friend of Cassandra, is also making enquiries.’
‘That madcap chit? You spread your net wide. And who was responsible for attempting to kill you?’
‘I have no idea, although I believe we are beginning to irritate Reece’s nephew. But if I knew who hit me we would be a long way forward.’
But you were attacked before the garden party which is where we really began to rattle dear Elliott, I thought suddenly. Damn, I liked him for this.
‘Are you going to come and live at the Town House while we are in London?’ Luc’s mother asked suddenly. ‘You can hardly maintain you would be rattling around in it with the boys and me there and all the extra staff.’
There was a silence. I held my breath then caught myself just in time to prevent a sigh of relief when Luc said, ‘No. Better not. I do not know if whoever attacked me will try again, but I do not intend encouraging them to take an interest in the house when you and the boys are there. I’ll come round, of course, spend time with them.’ I could hear the longing in his voice. ‘But this is serious, Mama. Two men are dead and there is a possibility of some form of spying or treachery. We cannot let it lie.’
‘No. I see that. It is your duty as well as a question of protecting James.’ Lady Radcliffe got up and went to look at the boards. ‘What extraordinary handwriting. Whatever do they teach them over there?’ There was silence broken by the occasional, ‘Hmm,’ and ‘Good heavens, what imaginations you must have!’ Then, ‘I see you have the Comte de Hautmont as a suspect. That is quite ridiculous.’
I started to say, ‘Why?’ out loud, then bit the back of my hand to stifle the sound. And then I had to bury my face in both hands when the pain of that brought tears to my eyes and a strong desire to yelp.
‘Why?’ Luc asked. ‘Do you know him? I hadn’t realised.’
‘I met him when he first arrived in England, the poor young man. What a state he was in. I found him his first work as a translator, you know.’
‘No, I didn’t,’ Luc said grimly. ‘He has never mentioned you.’
‘I doubt he wants to speak about the past. Far too proud.’ Lady Radcliffe crossed the floor again. ‘We always have a pleasant conversation when we meet and pretend I never knew him as a skinny, frightened young man without a penny to his name who had seen his family dragged off to the guillotine.’
‘And I suppose you have seen him since he began to work at the Home Office? It is definitely the same young man you helped?’
‘Goodness, yes. I saw him the last time I was in Town. Do you really think he is a Bonapartist spy?’