New York, October 1819
Dear Lord Edward,
I arrived in New York a few days ago and have made the following discoveries.
Sebastian Dashworth was a well-known character, his wealth marking him out even amongst the lower classes. He had interests in many businesses and had a reputation for being fair but stern towards all those who worked for him.
I have managed to interview the manager of the bank he used. The man was verbose and given to grandiose statements, but I think he is as reliable a witness as any. He says that in the week prior to the fatal accident, Sebastian Dashworth asked that, in the event of his death, no money should be givento his wife’s family. The bank manager named them as the Ashby family, but he had no address for them, nor could he tell me how large the Ashby family is or was at the time of your brother’s death. He said that although Sebastian mentioned his own death, he did not seem worried. In this regard, I do not know whether this last statement can be trusted. It may be that the manager is trying to hide his own guilt at not reporting any of this after Sebastian died.
A week after Mr and Mrs Sebastian Dashworth’s deaths, a man claiming to be Mrs Dashworth’s brother, one Gabriel Ashby, did try to remove some money from the account, but it was for a paltry sum. When he was refused, he did not put up a fight, nor did anyone attempt to take any again. This will obviously require further investigation.
I believe Mr Dashworth primarily lived in Boston with his wife and I intend to travel there next.
I will send a report shortly after my arrival.
I trust my sister is safe and well and I should be grateful if you would pass on my letter to her. Any correspondence to me can be sent to the above address. The landlady will forward it on when I am certain of my next abode.
This country is hotter than the very devil.
With regards
Simon Hornel
Edward read the letter through twice and then folded it back into a small square before sliding it back into the envelope. The room fell into a deep silence as none of them spoke or moved. Edward was gripped with the sense he was standing on the edge of a precipice. The idea that his brother had been preparing for his death in the week leading up to it was painfully hard to hear. There would have been nothing the four of them couldhave done to change the end result. If Sebastian had written to them with his concerns, they would have arrived weeks after his death anyway. But the fact of the matter was that Sebastian had not written to them, had not thought to turn to any of his four brothers, even to say goodbye, and Edward’s heart cracked a little at the thought of him alone with no one to support him in his hour of need.
‘That does not sound good,’ said Freddie eventually, none of his customary lightness in his voice.
‘It sounds as if he was afraid for his life,’ agreed Christopher.
‘Not afraid, if the bank manager’s testimony is to be believed.’ Edward ran a thumb along the edge of the envelope. ‘He appears to have been calm.’ The idea that Sebastian might have been scared was too much to bear. ‘I will write back to Mr Hornel and inform him about this “Ace” person.’
Tobias nodded, his dark eyes unreadable. Edward was much younger than Tobias and Sebastian, but he had the vague recollection that the two of them had been reasonably close, as close as anyone got to the austere duke. This must be harder for him than it was for the rest of them. Edward wanted to say a few comforting words, but Tobias was not the sort of man with whom one discussed feelings.
‘I should have done something sooner.’ Tobias’ admission of wrongdoing was all the more shocking because he’d spoken in a full sentence without being prompted.
‘None of us knew,’ Edward replied.
‘You did.’
‘It took me over a year to question it and it still might be nothing.’
Tobias ran his fingers over the edge of an inkpot. ‘I think we all know it is not nothing. Our brother may well have beenmurdered. I think we need to increase our security; we do not want anything to happen to Charlotte.’
The room plummeted into an icy silence at Tobias’ statement, the thought of something happening to his precious niece twisting Edward’s insides, added to the sense of everything being close to falling, just slipping out of reach.
‘When I write to Mr Hornel, I will ask him to widen his investigation to try to establish if there is a possible threat to Sebastian’s daughter.’
Edward supposed he would also have to write to Simon asking for permission to marry his sister. Or perhaps informing him. Edward didn’t think he could wait twelve weeks for his request to arrive and then for the answer to be sent back. He had no concept of how far apart Boston and New York were, but the distance may add a week or so on to his request too. His own ignorance on the scale of America was breathtaking.
There was a knock at the door followed by Sutton entering, the butler’s normally welcoming face contorted into a look of panic that had all of the brothers standing.
‘Excuse me, Your Grace, but Mrs Dashworth wanted you all to know that Miss Hornel was seen hurrying out of the house about three hours ago. She only appears to have taken her coat and Mrs Dashworth is concerned for her safety.’
Edward’s body, already cold from the news, turned icy. ‘Why did no one mention this sooner?’
‘Miss Hornel often goes out by herself, Sir. None of us thought it was all that unusual until we realised the length of time she had been gone this time. It was still not a true cause for concern until we realised she had not taken anything with her. She normally takes her bag and some food; we assumed she visits relatives.’
Kate had no relatives on which to call.
