Page 60 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Barrington, I was not expecting to see you today.” The Earl of Sandringham came to a stop in the corridor outside his office, cheroot in hand as he stared at Edward.
“Yes, well, I held a ball for you so as to lure out a fugitive. I thought you would want my report.”
Sandringham looked nonplussed for a moment. “Ah yes… Winchester, was it? I take it he did not turn up?”
“Did any of your other agents catch sight of him?”
Sandringham hesitated a moment before shaking his head. “No.” He reached for his door and opened it. “Do come in. Let us discuss this in some privacy.”
Edward nodded, following the Earl into his office and closing the door behind him. He put a sheaf of papers on the desk. “Iwrote out my report for your files, but basically, I met every single person who attended the ball, and none of them fit the description given. There were no strangers aside from some agents I did not know by name, but I did know I had seen them around here.”
“Yes, yes, we did send one or two others to help with the search.”
“Was there any sign of him?”
Sandringham took a deep breath, “Unfortunately not. Lord Fenton thought he might have glimpsed someone, but they were gone before he could confirm.”
“I see,” Edward said noncommittally.
“It is kind of you to come all this way, but it was not necessary. However, since you are here, I understand you hired a private detective to assist in the search for the man from Paris. Any progress?”
“Not really, no.”
“Yes well…” He shook his head. “It is a difficult business, especially seeing as we are at war with the French buggers. You might have to prepare yourself for the fact that this case may never be solved.”
Edward tensed. “Surely there is still some hope to find my brother’s killer?” he asked, just to throw Sandringham off.
The Earl shook his head slowly. “We have turned over every stone we have found. I am afraid the trail has gone cold.”
Edward slumped forward, covering his face with his hands.
“Iamsorry,” the Earl said sympathetically.
Hypocrite,Edward thought angrily.Coward.
Slowly he lifted his head, knowing that he probably did look as upset as he felt but uncaring about it. He had a right to be upset after all. He got to his feet and straightened his coat. “Well… I suppose I should be going.”
Sandringham was watching him with concerned eyes. “If there is ever anything you need, please do not hesitate to reach out.”
A thought occurred to Edward. “Actually, what I would like is to see my brother’s former office.”
Sandringham frowned. “Whatever for?”
“I just… I never visited him here. I should like to see where he worked.”
Sandringham nodded. “Very well. I shall have a footman escort you as I have another appointment.”
“Oh, of course. No need for a footman. Just point me in the right direction, and I shall find my way.”
“Very well…” Sandringham puffed at his cheroot. “It was in the east wing, door five three two.”
Edward nodded. “Thank you.”
The Earl shrugged, “Least I can do under the circumstances.”
Edward turned and left, walking slowly down the wide corridor, his footsteps echoing. He knew where the file room was, but just in case Sandringham decided to check later, he decided to visit the east wing first.
