Read Online Escaping Notice by Amy Corwin - Free Book Online Page A

I
understand the earl has indicated to his lawyer that he wishes to
hire one. So my arrival shall come as no surprise to the
household.”
    “This is — this is so simple!” Miss Archer said. “Why, this is
wonderful. I’m so grateful we met you at the outset.”
    She rose from her chair and reached over to give Ned’s jacket a
small tug. Rising with obvious reluctance, Ned trudged after her.
At the door, he gave Hugh a black look over his shoulder.
    “Indeed.” Hugh stood. “Now, when can you leave?”
    “Tomorrow,” she replied without pausing. “Shall we meet you
here?”
    “No. I’ll come by with a carriage. What is your address?”
    “We’re staying with my sister, that is, at Lord Dacy’s
residence.” She recited the address before clasping Ned’s hand
firmly and pulling him after her.
    Hugh watched them go before turning to find Mr. Gaunt strolling
down the hallway in his direction. He held Mr. Petre’s letter in
one lean hand.
    “You are Lord Monnow, aren’t you?” Mr. Gaunt looked like
a tall, slender scarecrow dressed entirely in black with the
somber, thoughtful air of a member of the Spanish Inquisition.
    Hugh studied him for a moment, taking in the sardonic
intelligence in Gaunt’s dark eyes before nodding. “Yes.” He
gestured toward the room he had just vacated. “I have a few matters
to discuss with you.”
    “And I with you, my lord,” Mr. Gaunt murmured, following Hugh.
He slipped behind the desk and waved Hugh to the chair Ned Brown
had previously occupied.
    Mr. Gaunt broke the silence first. “Am I to understand you’re
desirous of becoming an inquiry agent?”
    “No.” Hugh grinned. “The lady mistook me for one of your staff.
I was a little slow in correcting that impression.”
    “I see.” Mr. Gaunt steepled his hands and rested his mouth
against his forefingers. “I hope you did eventually correct her.
While business has been good, I dislike losing patrons.”
    A chuckle escaped. “Sorry, but you lost that one. Not much of a
case, anyway. And as it happens, it dovetailed quite nicely with my
own plans.”
    “Which are?”
    “How much did Petre explain in his letter?”
    “Your lawyer indicated who you are, of course,” Gaunt paused,
his gaze resting first on Hugh’s unshaven chin and then drifting
down to his ill-fitting jacket. “He requested that I assist you
with some inquiries.”
    “A murder investigation.”
    “I see. Who was the victim?”
    “I was the intended victim, but they killed my brother, Lionel
Castle, instead.”
    “I’m sorry. Please accept my condolences,” Mr. Gaunt said, his
discomfort proving his sincerity. He fell silent for a moment, out
of respect. “You wish me to investigate?”
    “I intend to go back to Ormsby in the guise of a servant. I can
learn a great deal by listening to the staff. They may know
something.”
    “Hence the clothing. I see. What do you require of me?”
    “While I’m investigating at Ormsby, I want you to check the dock
in Newport where I kept the Twilight . Someone sawed her
rudder partially through. There may be witnesses. Something.”
    Gaunt nodded. “I understand. Do you suspect anyone in
particular?”
    “No.”
    “Then are you sure it was directed at you? Perhaps your brother
was the intended victim.”
    “No.” He repeated the information he had given to Petre.
    Gaunt listened, his eyes hard and intent. Once or twice, he
asked penetrating questions, particularly about Hugh’s conclusion
that the rudder was purposely damaged. After going through his
story twice, Hugh felt exhausted and annoyed by Gaunt’s ruthless
logic. The man tried to pick apart Hugh’s tale, searching for flaws
and inconsistencies.
    When Gaunt finally sat back in silence, Hugh rubbed his face.
Had this all been a mistake? Was he sure?
    He remembered the clean edge on half of the rudder. No, no
mistake. Yes, he was sure .
    “Is there anything else you can tell me?” Gaunt asked at
last.
    He shook his head. “No.