“That explains Mrs. Cox,” Lord John said. He sat across from Lucy. “The housekeeper came to me concerned about rumors that you were not in your bed when the charwoman came to light the hearth in the morning.”
Lucy nodded. “The staff always knows when something is off. That’s why we hope to find whoever is threatening your family sooner rather than later. We won’t be able to remain here indefinitely without raising suspicion.”
“Well, I must say Lady John would prefer you stay as long as possible. She is much more at ease knowing you are both here.”
“She will be even more at ease when we are able to leave because we have caught whoever is threatening you.”
“Very good. I won’t keep you any longer.”
Lucy began to rise and then Duncan saw her pause and sit back down. “One question before we go, Lord John. Have you had any trouble with vagrants?”
Lord John considered. “Not really, no. If they try to come to the house and beg, Mr. and Mrs. Hart usually send them away with a beer and something to eat.”
The lodgekeeper could prevent vagrants from entering Pembroke Lodge, but they wouldn’t know if one came onto the property unless one of the groundskeepers reported it. The estate was vast and made to seem even larger since it was surrounded by Richmond Park.
“What about the vagrant who accosted Ada?”
“Ada?” Lord John furrowed his brow.
“The nursery maid,” Lucy explained and went on to briefly describe the servant.
Lord John nodded but Duncan had the distinct impression he had no idea who the woman was. “And she was accosted by a vagrant, you say?”
“Yes. It happened before we arrived. She was returning to the lodge at the end of her day off and the man jumped out and demanded her purse. She gave it to him and fled to the house.”
“This was never reported to me,” Lord John said. “Why was I not told? I’ll summon McAlpin and get to the bottom of that.” He turned to the bell pull.
Duncan stepped forward. “My lord, I have to ask you not to do that.”
“What?”
“He’s right, my lord,” Lucy said. “If you haven’t been told, Duncan and I want to find out why. Summoning the butler now will only lead to questions about why Duncan and I have brought it to your attention.”
“Ah, yes. I could ask him after you have gone.”
“My lord, leave it to us,” Duncan said. “For the moment, say nothing.”
“Very well, but if I hear any more about vagrants in the area, I will be forced to send out patrols.”
“I understand, my lord,” Lucy said. “In the meantime, know that Duncan and I are keeping watch.”
Lucy and Duncan took their leave. They went their separate ways. Duncan went almost directly to the summerhouse. He brought a lamp with him and wanted to decode Baron’s letter before too late, when the possibility of a rendezvous grew. The code was Alexandria. Lucy would have been pleased. When he looked over the letter, he wondered if Baron hadn’t intended it for Lucy as it was about Margaret.
He closed the shutter on the lamp and went to the window in time to see Lucy coming toward the summerhouse. He might not have seen her if he hadn’t been watching for her. She kept to the shadows and blended perfectly. She was almost at the door before he realized how close she was and opened it for her.
“Thank you.” She immediately pushed the hood off her head, and he caught the scent of soap. She must have bathed and, from the look of her damp hair, washed her hair. “It’s warm tonight, and this cloak is stifling.”
“We could open the windows,” he suggested. The house was built so that if the front and back windows were open, a pleasant breeze would keep it cool.
“Yes, let’s. After you tell me what the missive says. Once we open the windows, we’ll have to be silent.”
He handed her the missive and the deciphered page then opened the lamp’s shutter so she could see in the sliver of light. She looked at Baron’s note and smiled. “Alexandria.”
“Yes, I rather think he wanted you to read this one.”
She bent closer to the deciphered page.
Our friend has tracked the missing agent in London. He’s injured and unable as yet to give information about the union he infiltrated. I have urged her to continue to press him and will send any updates.
