Chapter Five
The moment the carriage turned onto the driveway leading to Grantley Hall, the neglected state of the grounds confirmed Jake’s suspicion that Sir Hubert must be in desperate financial straits. A gentleman was judged by outward appearances and to one as self-aware as Grantley, the maintenance of his property was the last area in which economies would have been made. Jake wondered what foolishness his desperation had forced him to contemplate in order to recover his respectability. He suspected there was little Grantley would not consider, no matter how dubious its legality, perhaps accounting for his disappearance.
Jake reined in his mental perambulations, aware that he was getting ahead of himself. He would reserve judgement until he had spoken with Lady Grantley and gained a better picture of the family’s circumstances. But his initial impression did not improve as they approached the house and he noticed that several slates were missing from the roof and the gaping holes had not been patched. A chimney stack had collapsed and he noticed a few cracked panes of glass in upper windows.
Olivia stared blankly towards chimneys in the distance; her family home, presumably. Hopefully her mind was engaged upon pleasant reflections of a carefree childhood spent in this idyllic part of the world. Jake gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as the carriage came to a halt at Grantley Hall’s entrance portico, its roof supported by crumbling pillars, weeds growing around their base. One ragged-looking groom came to take the horses’ heads. Jake paused to see if a butler would appear to greet them, unsurprised when the door did not open.
Parker slipped stealthily from the box seat and sauntered around the side of the house, having already received his orders from Jake. Useful information could be extracted from servants speaking to one of their own, especially if they had grievances to air. In spite of her anxiety for her husband’s wellbeing and her requirement for Jake’s help, Lady Grantley would not find it easy to admit to their straitened circumstances. Olivia had frequently referred to her as being more arrogantly superior than her husband and she would undoubtedly think of a way to explain the dilapidated state of the property in order to save face.
‘Are you ready?’ he asked, helping Olivia from the conveyance.
‘As I ever will be,’ she replied, suppressing a shudder, straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin.
‘You look adorable in that hat,’ he said softly.
‘There is nothing like a new hat to give a lady confidence.’
‘I cannot compete with the confidence-enhancing qualities of your milliner,’ he replied in a teasing tone. ‘But I hope my presence goes some small way to calming your nerves.’
‘Whatever makes you think I am nervous?’ Jake chuckled but did not articulate the long list of tell-tale signs. ‘Well yes, you are right, of course. This whole wretched business has got me in a taking. I had hoped never to come here again and would like to get it over with. I would also prefer not to run into my mother since I doubt whether I would be able to keep a polite tongue in my head if I did.’
‘You have had no contact with her?’
‘All of my family have tried to ingratiate themselves—now that I am not being branded a murderess and have more money than they do.’
Jake permitted his disgust to evidence itself in his expression. ‘That does not surprise me.’
‘Hubert and my family almost came to blows, I understand, about who would have custody of Tom, and thereby Marcus’s money.’
Jake shook his head, determined that Olivia would not be troubled by a parent who had turned her back on her daughter in her most desperate hour of need. Jake had often wondered how any mother could be so hard-hearted. Then he recalled his own mother’s cold, calculating behaviour and reminded himself that prejudice easily overcame any remnants of maternal instinct in her particular case.
‘Come,’ he said softly, offering Olivia his arm.
They ascended the steps and the door was opened just as they reached it by a maid wearing a pinafore that was not clean. She gaped when she saw Olivia, took Jake’s card and asked them to wait in the hall while she enquired whether her mistress was at home.
‘She had better be,’ Olivia muttered, abstractedly wandering about. Jake noticed gaps on the walls revealing cleaner areas on the faded wallpaper where paintings had once hung. Presumably they had been sold. ‘I wonder what has happened to Jute, Hubert’s butler. He never permitted anyone else to answer the door.’
‘I suspect he has been dismissed. That maid’s uniform was not clean, this floor hasn’t been washed for several days and…well, butlers cost more to employ than maids.’
‘Yes, I imagine that must be it.’
‘If you would be kind enough to step this way, my lord, madam. My mistress is in the drawing room.’
Jake placed a reassuring hand on the small of Olivia’s back as they followed in the maid’s wake. Jake observed further signs of neglect about the house as they did so; dusty window ledges, frayed curtains and a distinct smell of damp wainscoting being the most obvious. The downturn in Grantley’s circumstances had not happened overnight. Jake suspected that they pre-dated Olivia’s husband’s death, accounting for Grantley’s unwillingness to support Olivia’s cause when she was accused of his murder. God help Grantley if it transpired that he was guilty of fratricide and Jake had been duped into coming here to help the man who caused her so much anguish!
‘Oh no!’ Olivia muttered as they walked into a shabby drawing room and saw that Lady Grantley was not alone.
‘Your mother?’ Jake asked in an undertone, nodding towards a lady of late middle-age whose features so closely resembled Olivia’s that there could be little doubt they were related. A man a few years older than Olivia was also there.
‘And my brother Rupert,’ she replied. ‘Just when I thought the day could not get any worse.’
‘Olivia, how lovely!’ the lady fluttered her fingers at Olivia and stood with arms wide. ‘I declare you are lovelier than ever.’
‘Hello Mother,’ Olivia replied, deftly avoiding her outstretched arms. ‘I did not expect to see you today.’
‘I wish the circumstances were more joyful. But, if nothing else, at least it has brought the two of us back together.’
Don’t count on it, Jake thought.
‘Lord Torbay, may I present Lady Grantley, my mother, Mrs Maynard and my brother Rupert.’
Jake said and did all the right things, sizing up Olivia’s family as he did so. Mrs Maynard looked as though she lived in a state of perpetual strain, probably now regretting distancing herself from Olivia—but then hindsight was a wonderful thing. Jake disliked her on principal. Rupert Maynard sported the florid complexion of an imbiber. He was probably of a similar age to Jake and still handsome, but his body was running to fat. He smiled at Olivia and also tried to embrace her, but Olivia’s lack of response left him foolishly holding onto fresh air.
‘We are so glad you are here, Lord Torbay,’ Mrs Maynard said. ‘Poor Margaret is at her wits end and we have no idea what to do to help her. You were so very clever proving that my dear Olivia had nothing to do Marcus’s death. Naturally, we knew she was incapable of harming a fly but that horrible policeman would insist that she did it.’
And you did nothing to prove him wrong.
‘It was a wretched business,’ Rupert said, sniffing. ‘Most unpleasant. I came to assure Margaret that I would go up to London myself and look for Hubert, saving her that unpleasantness, at least.’
Olivia didn’t respond and chose to sit beside Lady Grantley rather than taking the only other chair beside her mother. Jake was annoyed about the presence of her family members, and not just because seeing them clearly upset Olivia. He would like to speak to Lady Grantley alone but that would require him to leave Olivia at the mercy of her opportunistic relations. He didn’t doubt that Rupert was using Grantley’s disappearance as an excuse to re-establish contact with Olivia. Perhaps it was he who had suggested to Lady Grantley that she request Olivia’s help. Jake suspected that he was as deep into dun territory as Sir Hubert was but if he intended to try and charm, persuade or pressure Olivia into generosity then he would be wasting his time. Olivia’s experience of the wrong side of the law had changed her from the trusting individual she had once been, and Rupert could expect no help from that quarter.
The same maid served insipid tea and tasteless cake. Olivia and Jake took little of either. Rupert made up for their reticence but continually looked at the clock, as though trying to decide if he could reasonably ask for something stronger.
‘I hope you will spare a moment to call and see your papa while you are in the area, my dear,’ Mrs Maynard said. ‘He has not been at all well of late but I know that seeing you will revive his spirits.’
‘Not today, Mother,’ Olivia replied, barely civil.
Her mother appeared taken aback. Rupert grunted something unintelligible. Lady Grantley stared into the empty fireplace and didn’t appear to hear Mrs Maynard’s increasingly desperate attempts to inveigle her way back into her daughter’s good graces.
‘Lady Grantley,’ Jake said when Mrs Maynard ran out of inane chatter. ‘I assume you have heard nothing about your husband’s whereabouts since speaking with Olivia yesterday.’
‘No, my lord, not a single word.’ She pursed her thin lips. ‘Really, I don’t know what to think; indeed I do not.’
‘Since you requested my help, I am afraid I must ask a few intrusive questions regarding his affairs. I cannot know where to start looking unless I know what business took him from home.’
Mrs Maynard moved to sit beside Lady Grantley, who sniffled into her handkerchief. Jake noticed Olivia raise a brow, presumably because Lady Grantley was not the sniffling type. The Lady Grantleys of this world did not approve of sniffling as a general rule. But her distress on this occasion didn’t seem contrived. Whether that was because she held her husband in genuine affection or because she was worried about society’s opinion if it transpired that he had deserted her and his debts, Jake had yet to decide.
‘All I know is that he had an engagement to keep,’ Lady Grantley said, recovering her poise. ‘He never discussed his business affairs with me, and I never asked for particulars of them. Besides, he would not have told me even if I had asked. He said I need not concern myself with the affairs of gentlemen.’
I am perfectly sure he did. ‘You do not even know whom he was engaged to meet?’
‘No, but Olivia asked me to compile a list of all his friends. There are a great many of them. Hubert is very popular. The list is on the table over there.’ She flapped a hand in the vague direction of a small table, upon which rested some papers and a journal. ‘That is his engagement book. I looked through it this morning and there is nothing in it to lend any clues.’
Jake walked across the room, aware of every eye in it following his progress. He collected up the papers and flipped through the journal. Like his brother, he used initials and was sparing on detail.
‘I understand that Sir Hubert helped Olivia’s late husband to run his theatrical agency.’
‘Yes, and a damned fine team they made.’ It was Rupert who answered. He stood in front of the fireplace, clutching the lapels of a coat that had seen better days. ‘All the best actors clamoured to be represented by the Grantleys.’
‘And yet Barber did not require your husband’s services when he took over the agency,’ Jake said in a casual tone.
‘I still cannot understand why you did not let Hubert take it over, Olivia,’ Rupert said, sounding affronted. ‘He would have provided a safe pair of hands and you would have been assured a steady income.’
‘Thank you, Rupert,’ Olivia replied with asperity. ‘But I preferred to sell, and do not need a steady income, as you put it. And if you need to ask why I preferred to sell, then you are even more insensitive than I supposed.’
Jake wanted to applaud. His Olivia could always be relied upon to rise to a challenge and the put down she had given her brother, whose face was now stained scarlet with indignation, was far kinder than he deserved.
‘Did Sir Hubert set up in opposition to Barber?’ Jake asked into the ensuing silence.
‘That must be it!’ Rupert cried. ‘I should have thought of it sooner. Barber was jealous of Hubert, couldn’t stand the idea of competition and…and…’
Lady Grantley’s anguished wail finally stopped the idiot from articulating his thoughts. Jake shot him a castigating look and returned his attention to Lady Grantley.
‘There is no need to suppose that anything untoward has happened to your husband,’ he said calmly.
‘Thank you for trying to spare my feelings, Lord Torbay, but I fear there is every need. Hubert has many faults, I would be the first to admit that. Indeed, I have no alternative but to speak candidly if I require your help.’
‘You may depend upon my discretion, ma’am.’
‘Again, I thank you, but I must also find a way to convince you that Hubert would not leave me without an explanation. If he had been delayed, or if business required him to travel to another part of the country, he would have sent a telegram.’
‘There is no delicate way to ask this question,’ Jake said gently, ‘and I would not do so if it were not essential.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Is there any particular lady, an actress perhaps if he is intent upon pursuing a career as a theatrical agent, with whom he might have become intimately acquainted?’
‘Torbay, is that question really necessary or do you take delight in oversetting the lady?’ Rupert asked pompously.
‘Be quiet, Rupert!’ Olivia said crisply. ‘Or leave the room.’
‘I will not be spoken to thus by my own sister!’
Jake turned to glower at the fool. He grunted something unintelligible and fell silent.
‘I am not aware of any such liaison,’ Lady Grantley said, elevating her chin. ‘Besides, he does not have the…the wherewithal to support such a person.’
‘Hubert relies upon charm and his title to make an impression,’ Olivia said. ‘I have seen him do so on more than one occasion. He and Marcus were similar in that regard.’
‘Since you refer to your financial situation,’ Jake said, his glance taking in the neglected state of what had once obviously been a handsome drawing room, ‘are you aware what your husband planned to do to resolve that situation? Did he take loans? Had he asked his bankers to extend further credit?’
‘I think the bank refused to…oh dear, this is very hard for me.’ Lady Grantley sucked in a shuddering breath. ‘It must be obvious that we are on the point of ruin. I have two sons at Eton and their fees have not been paid for two terms. My daughter ought to be presented next year but there is not the least likelihood of that happening, not as things stand. If only…but it does no good to repine. Facts must be faced, Lord Torbay,’ she said with surprising dignity, tears sparkling like diamonds on her lashes. ‘Marcus was the younger brother but he had a better head for business. Hubert was able to make ends meet whilst working with Marcus, but now…’
‘What about Sir Hubert’s involvement with your import business, Maynard?’ Jake asked Rupert. ‘Olivia tells me the two of you were in partnership at one time.’
‘We were. Marcus and I worked together but when Marcus took his money out, Hubert invested in his place, knowing a good deal when he saw one. However, we lost a few customers shortly thereafter through no fault of our own and…well, Hubert decided to concentrate upon working with Marcus in the theatrical business after that.’
Which explained a lot, Jake thought. Marcus really was the one with the business brain, explaining why he kept Hubert on such a tight leash within his agency and did not permit him to become a partner. ‘Are you still in business alone?’ he asked Rupert.
‘What’s that to do with the matter?’
From which Jake took it that either Rupert had given up his business, or trade was not booming, as it most assuredly ought to be in the current climate. He cared only because he didn’t want Olivia’s conscience troubled by her direct family’s impecunious state.
‘Idle curiosity,’ Jake replied.
‘Hubert was excited about something when he went off this time,’ Lady Grantley said into the awkward silence that ensued. ‘He told me not to worry. That if things worked out in the way he expected them to then our troubles would be over.’
‘Ah, I see.’
And Jake did see, all too clearly. He exchanged a glance with Olivia and could tell that she was highly suspicious too. Any situation that would restore Grantley’s fortunes at a stroke would be highly speculative or illegal. Possibly both. The need to discover whom Grantley had been engaged to meet with on the day he disappeared became more pressing by the second. That person was referred to in his appointment book as A.C.
‘Your husband was driven to the station in your gig on the day he left here with the intention of catching the train into London?’ Jake asked.
‘Yes. We only keep one groom nowadays and he confirms that Hubert was safely delivered to the station, in time for the eleven o’clock train. I assume he boarded it and reached London but from there the trail goes cold.’
‘He always went to the Garrick Club when he was in London,’ Rupert said. ‘He made a point of it because he was well acquainted with a lot of the members and liked to keep on top of the latest gossip in the theatrical world. Whoever he was meeting, he had most likely arranged to do so there. And yet Hubert did not appear. I know because I asked the porter on door duty that day myself. Those porters know everyone and miss nothing.’
Jake made a mental note to call at that establishment and ask if anyone arrived claiming to have an appointment with Grantley. He doubted whether Rupert had thought to ask that question, and anyway he would prefer to do so himself.
‘You told Olivia that you thought nothing of it when he did not return home that night, Lady Grantley, even though you were expecting him.’
‘He sometimes got embroiled and missed the last train.’ Lady Grantley shrugged, her embarrassment and distaste for the question clearly apparent. ‘When that happened he stayed over.’
‘Where, or with whom?’
Another shrug. ‘I really could not say.’
Jake did not pursue the issue, suspecting that Grantley would have stayed with a woman, accounting for Lady Grantley’s preference not to know.
‘Is there anything you wish to ask, Olivia?’ Jake asked.
‘No, Jake,’ she replied, standing. ‘I think we have heard enough to start our enquiries.’
‘You should not involve yourself in this business, Olivia,’ Rupert said. ‘It’s not fitting for a lady.’
‘I am not a lady. I am a suspected murderess, in case you had forgotten.’
‘Nonsense, my love,’ Olivia’s mother said. ‘No one ever believed you culpable.’
Jake was obliged to bite the inside of his mouth to prevent himself from reminding the woman that that was precisely the view they had taken.
‘Are you sure you will not come and see your Papa?’ Mrs Maynard asked. ‘I know the sight of you would cheer him no end.’
‘No, Mother, thank you. We shall return to London immediately.’
‘Please try not to worry, Lady Grantley,’ Jake said as they took their leave. ‘I will be in touch with you again as soon as I have news to impart.’
҉
Olivia expelled an expressive sigh as she and Jake walked through the door that the maid opened for them and descended the crumbling steps towards Jake’s waiting carriage. Her hands were trembling, which infuriated her. She didn’t want her family to affect her in any way at all.
‘I feel as though I have just been ambushed,’ she said indignantly.
‘You ought to have let me come alone today,’ he said, patting the hand that rested on his sleeve.
‘Because it is unsuitable work for a lady?’ Olivia suggested with a half-smile.
Jake grunted. ‘I would back you against your brother when it comes to untangling this conundrum any day of the week.’
‘Don’t underestimate Rupert. He is not quite as dim-witted as he sometimes appears.’
Jake drew his brows together. ‘Only sometimes?’
Olivia laughed, aware of the brother in question watching them through the grimy drawing room window and scowling; whether because his transparent efforts to mend bridges that were beyond repair had failed or because he objected to Jake’s familiarity, she neither knew nor cared.
‘I would not mind quite so much if I thought that my mother and brother were anxious to re-establish communications because they regretted abandoning me in my hour of need. I might even look kindly upon them if I thought their concern for Margaret was genuine, but clearly she was merely a means to an end.’
‘They have tried to contact you before this?’
‘I receive letters almost weekly from Mother. Rather less frequently from Rupert. He sometimes calls on me when he is in town but will not accept that our connection is at an end. I have had Green turn him away on the last two occasions.’
‘You are overset. I should not have—’
‘How could they know you would call upon Margaret today, or that I would be with you if you did?’
Jake smiled at her. ‘They understand your character. You are more tender-hearted than any of them and they knew you would pass on Margaret’s request to me. They probably suggested that she make it. They also knew that curiosity would compel you to accompany me today.’
Olivia flashed a wry smile. ‘And we all know what curiosity did for the cat.’
‘But cats are survivors, as are you.’
‘Oh yes.’ Another protracted sigh. ‘I have, of necessity, perfected that art.’
‘Ah, there is Parker.’ Jake nodded towards his horses’ head. Parker was standing there, engaging the groom in conversation. ‘I wonder how he got on.’
‘What did you have him do?’
‘What he excels at.’ Jake treated her to a puerile grin. ‘A little snooping.’
Since it was impossible to ask Parker how he had fared with the groom still present, it would have to wait until they were back in London. Jake helped Olivia into the carriage, and Parker resumed his seat beside the driver as he gave his team the office. Olivia was not sorry to leave Grantley Hall behind them.
Back at Cheyne Walk, Olivia invited Parker to join her and Jake for tea whilst he related all he had seen and heard.
‘They are in a sorry way,’ Parker said.
‘We ascertained that much for ourselves,’ Jake replied impatiently. ‘Care to be more specific?’
‘There’s just the maid who let you in, a cook and another young gal who does a bit of everything. Oh, and the groom.’
‘That is a large house for so few staff,’ Olivia remarked.
‘Most of the rooms have been closed up,’ Parker told them.
‘What happened to Jute?’
‘The butler?’ Olivia nodded. ‘He found another position. He hadn’t been paid for two quarters and clearly saw which way the wind was blowing in that household.’
‘He was an experienced butler. I dare say he found it easy to get another position and I don’t blame him for seeking one.’
‘Sir Hubert’s valet and his wife’s maid have gone as well. The only reason the others stay if because they can’t get anything better and a roof over their heads, albeit a leaking one, is better than the workhouse. I get the impression that creditors are lining up to fight over the spoils. The cook told me everything of value has already been sold, apart from a few bits of Lady Grantley’s jewellery that she’s most reluctant to part with.’
‘How did matters degenerate so fast?’ Olivia mused.
‘Perhaps that was why Grantley and his wife virtually lived with you in Belgravia,’ Jake replied. ‘Much cheaper for them that way.’
‘Should I help them?’ Olivia looked to Jake for advice. ‘At least pay the boys’ school fees and sponsor Catherine’s come-out.’
‘They don’t deserve your compassion,’ Jake replied with a gentle smile. ‘But it does not surprise me that despite the way they treated you, your thoughts have turned in that direction. You have a good heart.’
‘The children have done nothing wrong. They do not deserve to have their futures blighted through no fault of their own.’
‘Only you can decide but before you give it serious thought, I would suggest concentrating our efforts upon finding Grantley. Unless he has met an untimely end then he cannot have disappeared into thin air. I sent a message to Henderson today, asking him to inform me if any unidentified bodies turn up.’ Jake waved a hand. ‘Sorry to be so blunt, Olivia, but we both know it is a possibility.’
‘Unless his body is in the Thames, in which case it may never be found or identified.’
Jake nodded, his expression grim. ‘True, but let us not think the worst just yet.’
‘Where do you want to start looking?’ It was Parker who replied.
‘I shall make enquiries at the Garrick Club tomorrow. See if anyone with the initials A.C. had an appointment with Grantley there on the day he disappeared. In the meantime, you and I, Olivia, ought to compare the initials in Grantley’s journal against his list of friends and the clients Barber inherited from your husband. I’ll bet half my fortune that this business is connected somehow to the theatre. Your husband was murdered because he interrupted a burglary that was being carried out when you were all supposed to be away for the evening. You said yourself that you returned early to your house because Miss Aspin tired of the party at the theatre, so no one other than the servants ought to have been there and they would have been in their own quarters at that time of night. Experienced burglars would have had no difficulty in gaining access. And now, two years later, Barber’s office has been ransacked and someone else has forfeited their life.’ Jake rubbed his chin. ‘I would give a great deal to know what is so valuable that a person would go to so much trouble to find it.’
‘I have racked my brains,’ Olivia replied. ‘I thought of little else whilst I was incarcerated. I knew Drake was making no effort to think of an alternative reason for Marcus’s death, other than that I had killed him. Of course, I did not know at the time that there had been burglars. They didn’t make much mess; almost as though they didn’t want anyone to know they had been there, whereas those who broke into Mr Barber’s office were not nearly so considerate. Even so, Jake, I must agree that the theatre is the key to it all.’
‘Or someone wants you to think it is,’ Parker remarked.
Green materialised, wanting to know if Jake was remaining for dinner. Olivia looked at him and he nodded.
‘Thank you, that would be helpful, if you don’t mind my not changing.’
Olivia smiled. ‘The same goes for me,’ she said.
‘I think I can stand to bear your company dressed as you are.’
Olivia sent him a droll look. ‘You are too kind.’
Green cleared his throat. ‘Master Tom is anxious to see you, ma’am. He has something he particularly wishes to show you.’
‘When does he not?’ Olivia smiled. ‘Have Jane bring him down immediately, Green. It is almost his bedtime.’
‘Take the carriage back to Grosvenor Square, Parker, and have it call back for me later. Come with it yourself. I might have something I need you to do by then,’ Jake said, smiling as Parker nodded, wished Olivia a good evening and left the room just as Tom barrelled into it, a large wooden ship grasped in both hands.
‘Mama!’ he cried. ‘Look what arrived today.’
Olivia admired the brightly-coloured sailing ship and its intricate rigging. Pollock’s familiar mark was on its base.
‘What is it, Olivia?’ Jake asked, presumably because he noticed her frowning.
‘You should not have done this, Jake,’ she said softly. ‘I will not have him spoiled.’
‘I did not.’
‘Then what…’
Jake shushed her, and then devoted his attention to playing an energetic game with Tom that required him to chase the boy round the furniture and tickle him when he caught him, causing Tom to giggle wildly. His own father had never shown him half as much attention, Olivia thought, smiling indulgently as she watched them, wondering which of them was having a better time of it. Boys, it seemed, never really grew up. In fairness, Tom had been little more than a baby when Marcus died. Even so, Olivia was perfectly sure Marcus would not have had much time for the boy until he was considerably older. Perhaps not even then. But no matter how taken with Jake her child was, Olivia simply refused to have Jake indulge his every whim. Tom must learn that he could not have everything his heart desired, certainly not immediately; a lesson that could not begin too soon.
‘Time for bed,’ she said to Tom, kissing him, tousling his hair and handing him over to Jane.
‘Jake,’ she said as soon as the door closed behind her beloved son. ‘About that ship.’
‘I did not send it.’ He held up a hand to stay the protest she was formulating. ‘I can assure you of that. I would not buy him extravagant gifts without your permission.’
‘Then who…? Green, when did it arrive?’
‘This afternoon, madam. It was labelled for Master Tom’s attention. Unfortunately he happened to be in the kitchen when it was delivered to the tradesman’s entrance. Once he realised it was for him, there was no peace until he was permitted to have it.’
She managed a half-smile. ‘I would imagine not.’
‘Was there anything to suggest who had sent it, Green?’ Jake asked.
‘Not that I recall, my lord. I assumed Mrs Grantley had ordered it.’
‘All right, Green, that will be all for now,’ Olivia said, when it became apparent that her butler knew nothing more. ‘What does this mean, Jake?’ she asked, her brow creasing with concern as the door closed behind Green.
Jake sat beside her and took her hand. ‘I am afraid it means that someone knows you and Tom went to the docks yesterday.’
Olivia gasped. ‘Someone was watching us? But why?’
‘That is a very good question. Presumably someone is trying to send you a message. They want you off-balance.’
‘They are succeeding.’
Jake squeezed her hand and leaned forward to briefly cover her lips with his own. ‘Someone knows Tom is your weak point. One of my enemies trying to get to me through you, most like. This is just what I hoped to avoid.’
‘What shall we do about it?’
‘You need to come to Grosvenor Square until we get to the bottom of things.’
‘You don’t want to be seen with me, yet you want me to live in your house?’ She shook her head. ‘That makes no sense. I know your servants are discreet but word is still bound to get out.’
Jake stood and ran a hand through his hair, a sure sign that he was discomposed. His reaction frightened Olivia more than the mysterious appearance of the toy ship and the implication that her movements were being observed. Jake was always a tower of calm reasoning in crisis situations, which was what she required him to be now.
‘It would be for the best, Olivia. Please don’t fight me on this.’
He turned and sent her a supplicating smile; the type of smile that found its way into her soul and that almost always made her agree to whatever he asked of her. In spite of her concerns for Tom, a small part of her brain reminded her that if she were to stay with Jake, there would be no impediments to the resumption of their intimacies. He chuckled as he watched her face, probably gauging precisely when that notion occurred to her; the presumptuous devil! She had a good mind to stick to her guns and insist upon remaining in her own dwelling, just to remind him that she was no shrinking violet. But thoughts of Tom being in danger, no matter how indirectly, decided her.
‘Very well,’ she said. ‘But we cannot move until tomorrow.’
‘I will leave Parker here when he returns to collect me later.’
Olivia frowned. ‘Is that necessary?’
‘It would reassure me.’
It would reassure Olivia too, but she was not about to make that admission. ‘What shall we do to try and discover who sent the ship?’
‘I shall add Pollock’s to my list of establishments to visit in the morning,’ he replied. ‘Now come, drink a glass of sherry,’ he said, moving to the sideboard and pouring it for her himself. ‘You look as though you are in need of it.’