The Mystery of Mr Daventry (Scandalous Sons 4)

“Most of Flannery’s men have a checkered history.” Mr Wycliff watched his wife as she crossed the room to hand Sybil a second glass of sherry. “Most have had some dealings with the criminal fraternity.”

“I assume Davies needed a little gentle persuasion.”

Mr Wycliff gave a wicked smirk. “Something like that. It seems Mr Cribb had a few friends. Men who visited at odd times during the day and night. Men who visited on the same day each week. Mr Cribb had no means of employment though he regularly purchased new clothes and was never in arrears with his rent.”

“It’s obvious how he earned an income,” Lucius said.

“The shopkeeper said Cribb was an educated man who thought himself above his peers. He professed to have a foolproof plan, said he would soon be living in a house in Mayfair, not lodging in Saffron Hill.”

“Logic suggests the plan involved one of two things,” Sybil said, before sipping her sherry. “Mr Cribb was going to blackmail one of his gentleman friends, which means the victim is wealthy, or he was going to become a rich man’s companion.”

The room fell silent while they contemplated the information.

It did not take a genius to put the puzzle pieces together. Sir Melrose liked men. Mr Cribb liked men and was set to blackmail a wealthy gentleman. Her father was investigating the possibility that Mr Cribb was murdered. And Sir Melrose was desperate to purchase the journals.

Sybil repeated her account aloud. “But all we have is gossip. Nothing substantial. Nothing to suggest Sir Melrose killed my father.” Indeed, she could not imagine a man of his status entering a house at night to commit such an evil deed.

“We have various leads now,” Lucius reassured her. “We have the sketch of the man with which to blackmail Sir Melrose. We can visit Gorget’s Garrett. Have Flannery’s men question all the witnesses from Smithfield Market.”

They continued to debate various methods of gaining evidence.

It struck Sybil that while she wanted to punish the person who had caused her father’s death, the longer the investigation took, the longer she could remain at Bronygarth with Lucius Daventry.

How many more nights would she have to indulge her desires?

A thousand would not be enough.

How many more days would she have to converse with him during breakfast? To see him smile? To ease the ache in his heart? To let him know that someone loved him?

A lifetime would not be enough.

They dined with the Wycliffs, talked of the couple’s upcoming trip to Italy. Lucius expressed a desire to travel, too, and Sybil wondered if his work for the Order would always keep him close to home.

When it came time to leave, Mr Wycliff took Lucius to one side, and the gentlemen conversed privately.

Mrs Wycliff stole the opportunity to draw Sybil into an embrace. She insisted they use their given names, surprised Sybil by saying, “I think you should tell Mr Daventry that you’ve fallen in love with him.”

Tell Mr Daventry!

Heavens. She wanted to tell the entire world—such was the depth of her affection—but she wasn’t sure how or when to make the declaration.

“He has too much on his mind at present,” Sybil said, unable to argue with Mrs Wycliff’s assertion.

“To know you’re loved can have a positively profound effect. His concerns for other people are commendable. He’s willing to risk his life to protect you, but who takes care of him? Who nurtures his soul? Who gives his life meaning?”

Sybil’s heart ached at the thought. Lucius Daventry had lost two close friends. His family lacked the capacity to love him. Did his nightmares not stem from childhood fears of abandonment?

My demons appear when I’m at my most vulnerable.

“I know what it’s like to feel unloved,” Mrs Wycliff added. But before she could say anymore, the gentlemen finished their hushed conversation and rejoined them.

Denied the opportunity of explaining the depth of her feelings for Mr Daventry, Sybil embraced Mrs Wycliff again, and said, “Thank you for your hospitality and your insightful comments. I shall certainly bear them in mind.”

With that, they bid the Wycliffs farewell. When Lucius’ hand settled on Sybil’s back, she sensed he was as eager as she to spend time together in his carriage.

“Wycliff said to call on him should we need further assistance.”

“The gentleman has proved most helpful.”