Page 41 of The Noble Smuggler
“What about that one?” A new warbling song came from the branches above them.
“A skylark,” Elizabeth said. “And he sounds very pleased to be in your tree.”
“I am twice amazed, Miss Doyle. You obviously have a musical ear. Do you sing?”
“I have not had any occasion to sing outside of church services and keeping myself company,” she said, “but I do enjoy music.”
“Well, you must sing for us tonight. Unfortunately, the viscount has left for a few days, so he will miss out on our musical evening, but the duchess is skilled at the pianoforte. She can play for you.”
Elizabeth tried to quell her burgeoning disquiet. Singing a solo before a duchess and viscountess was very different from joining with the congregation during a Sunday Service or humming as she washed bed linen. “If you insist, my lady,” she said, praying that she would not.
“Oh, but I do.”
Elizabeth put on a brave face. Lady Langton had shown her nothing but kindness. Surely she would not be too harsh of a critic if her singing skills did not match those of the ladies who performed at Society functions. And at least she would not have to sing before the viscount.
“Very well,” Elizabeth said.
“Excellent.” The viscountess gave a pleased sigh. “This walk has been a treat, Miss Doyle.”
“Perhaps we could do it again, and as long as it does not distress the mother swallow too badly, we might follow the development of her chicks.”
“Yes, indeed,” Lady Langton said. “And I am of a mind to talk to Cook to see if she would reserve me some crumbs to put out for the birds who visit the rose garden. Under your tutelage, I believe it might be possible to become reacquainted with my feathered friends.”
Elizabeth smiled. “They will be very pleased, my lady.”
***
Jonas was coming to know the inside of Alexander’s study almost as well as he did his own. This time, however, he’d abandoned his usual spot in the leather chair by the fire in favor of standing beside his friend at the desk.
“We have ten days, at most,” Alexander said, reviewing the six names on the paper before him with a frown. “Billy has been consulting with members of his cabinet for days, and last I spoke with him, he said they were close to a final resolution on slashing the import taxes. The moment he has a consensus, he’ll have it before the House of Commons for its first reading.”
“Which means that by the time it reaches the House of Lords, the Midnight Master will be fully forewarned that if the Bill receives Royal Assent, the tariffs on tea will drop over 100 percent,” Jonas said.
Alexander rubbed his chin. “There’s likely to be an all-out riot on the floor of the House. We know which way the Midnight Master will want to vote, but will he show his cards?”
“Black horse, walking cane with a silver handle, absent at key events on the nights the Lamhurst Gang is at work,” Jonas muttered. “We have to narrow the list further. Once the Midnight Master realizes the change that’s coming, he’ll cut his losses and disappear. The lack of financial return won’t be worth the risk. All smuggling gangs will dissolve.”
“Which is what the entire country needs,” Alexander said.
“Of course.” Jonas looked his friend in the eye. “But you know as well as I that if this man is guilty of murder, he must answer for his crimes.”
Alexander faced the paper with new determination. “One more time through the names.”
“Travers, Sumfield, Forwood, Hargrove, Reedley, Altham,” Jonas read out loud. “Where does Altham hail from?”
“Somewhere in the north country,” Alexander said. “Yorkshire, I believe.”
“Cross him off the list,” Jonas said.
Alexander raised his eyebrows. “Just like that?”
“Miss Doyle said the Midnight Master was always at the inn when a big shipment came in. Always. Not merely during the London Season. His country estate has to be close enough to reach the south coast within a day’s ride.”
“Then we should cross off Reedley as well,” Alexander said. “He spends half the year in Shropshire.”
“How well do you know Lord Sumfield?”
Alexander shrugged. “Well enough. He’s as pompous as he is round.”
