Since he hadn’t mentioned London, her answer raised questions. Yes, there were definitely things he needed to learn about this seemingly meek and harmless woman who was interested in mystery books and thoroughly disliked London.
It was time now to bait the lion. “I assume you heard that my man of business, Mr. James Harding, came to an unfortunate end recently. Did you know him?” He watched her carefully for a reaction. He was not disappointed.
Her body stiffened and her eyes flashed. “Whatever happened to that man was well deserved. There are no words vile enough to describe him. He was a rat. A snake. A devil.” Once the words were out of her mouth, she smiled at him as if they were discussing something very pleasant, although her face remained flushed.
To say he was taken aback was an understatement. At that moment she looked as though she could kill the man without sorrow or remorse.
The music came to an end, and he returned Miss Gertrude to the group. Amy was just arriving from a dance with Mr. Beckett, an older gentleman who had been eyeing her at the dances recently. That didn’t sit well with William. Didn’t the man realize he was old enough to be her father? Or at the very least an older—much older—brother?
He would have to keep an eye on Beckett as well as Mr. Colbert, who still looked unhappy about William’s mother not being with them. Being the protector of women’s virtue was becoming a taxing endeavor.
Amy linked her arm in his. “Why don’t we take a stroll, my lord?”
They began their trek around the room. William noticed Lady Margaret conversing with a woman who was unknown to him. “Do you know that woman your aunt is speaking to?”
“No. I wonder if that’s Mrs. Whitney.”
“If it is, we can count on Lady Margaret to introduce us. But in the meantime, I must tell you about an interesting conversation I just now had with Miss Gertrude.”
Amy’s brows rose. “Please do.”
He repeated the conversation as he and Amy strolled. They nodded at various people they knew as they made their way around the room. Even though Bath’s population grew every year and the town was swollen with visitors du
ring the tourist seasons, there was still a group of longtime residents who for the most part—between business, church, various clubs, and the Assembly—knew each other. Or certainly knew someone who was able to introduce them to anyone unknown.
“That is quite interesting,” Amy said as he finished his tale. “What I find most telling, besides the fact that she appeared able and willing to shove Mr. Harding into the river, is the fact that she mentioned London when you asked her how long she’d lived here.”
“I agree. That left me wondering if whatever occurred in Miss Gertrude’s life that Harding found damaging enough for blackmail took place in London.”
“My thoughts as well.”
They loitered for a bit at the refreshment table, speaking with other friends. After a while they returned to the group, where Miss Gertrude appeared more composed. Shortly thereafter, the sisters announced that they were tired, were looking forward to the book club meeting on Thursday, and intended to take their leave.
“May I escort you to your carriage?” Mr. Colbert asked.
“That would be lovely, Mr. Colbert. Thank you,” Miss Penelope said. The three of them departed just as Lady Margaret walked up to them. Accompanying her was the woman she had been speaking with earlier.
“May I introduce you to Mrs. Carol Whitney?” Lady Margaret went around the group, presenting each person. Mrs. Whitney was a pleasant-looking woman and appeared to be in her early thirties. She acknowledged everyone and smiled politely.
Amy, who was standing right next to the newcomer, struck up a conversation with her. Miss Sterling captured William’s attention, so he was unable to hear the discourse between Amy and Mrs. Whitney.
Once he was free of Miss Sterling, and as Amy was still in deep conversation with Lady Margaret and Mrs. Whitney, William wandered the room. He didn’t see Montrose and hoped to be able to speak with him sometime at their club.
He was about to return to Amy when she and Lady Margaret walked up to him. “I believe I would like to leave now,” Amy said.
“Certainly. Lady Margaret, if you wish to stay, I can arrange to have my carriage return for you.”
“No. I am ready as well.”
They made their way out of the room and down the stairs. After shrugging into their coats, they stepped into the cool, misty air. A footman waved their carriage forward and followed them to open the vehicle’s door.
Once they were all settled and the carriage began the ride to Amy’s house, Lady Margaret said, “Amy, I think it is time to tell William what Mrs. Whitney had to say. I am sure he will be quite interested.”
CHAPTER 12
William listened with growing amazement as Lady Margaret and Amy related their conversation with Mrs. Whitney.
“Much like Miss Gertrude when she was conversing with you, Mrs. Whitney spoke with such vehemence about Mr. Harding that I would have no trouble believing her capable of tossing him in the river,” Amy said.