Page 67 of Grave Expectations
Her cheeks flushed. She looked away. "She hasn't remained in touch with them."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," she snapped.
"Mrs. Southey," Seth said gently. "Your sister's life might be in danger if he finds her before us. You must help us so we can inform the police. They can't protect her if they don't know where she is."
"It's just that…she would be so ashamed if any of her set knew." She bit her lip and glanced at me through lowered lashes. "Particularly someone as lovely as you, Miss Guilford."
Lovely? Me? "We'll keep her secret safe," I assured her. "I'm no gossip."
"Very true," Seth said. "She knows a thing or two about me that she's never told. The soul of discretion is dear Charlotte."
"This is quite a scandal, though." She nibbled her lip again. "But if the murderer finds her…"
"We'll see that he doesn't," Seth said, moving to sit beside her. He tucked her hand between both of his, winning a wide-eyed blink from her. "Trust us, Mrs. Southey. We only have your sister's interests at heart. She won't come to any harm if we find her first."
He was laying it on rather thick, but she seemed to be warming to the idea with every passing moment. She stopped biting her lip and sighed.
"You're right. Well then." She blew out a breath. "There was a particular friend from before she married. A woman by the name of Redding. Miss Letitia Redding."
Redding! I knew that name.
"And where will we find Miss Redding?" Seth asked.
The Alhambra.
"A theater known as The Alhambra." Mrs. Southey touched her hair again and didn't meet our gazes. "My sister used to dance there when she was younger, as did Miss Redding."
And Lady Harcourt.
Chapter 13
"It was Lady Harcourt," I announced to Seth in the coach. "Shemustbe the one who helped Mrs. Drinkwater."
"Yes," he said simply. He looked troubled by the prospect, but I was in no mood to offer excuses or alternative theories. I was too angry. Howcouldshe? I knew she blamed me for keeping Lincoln from her, but I didn't think she hated me enough to have me kidnapped.
"I can't believe I didn't realize earlier," I said. "Mrs. Drinkwater had a certain way of walking, like Lady H. She wouldglideinto the room, like a dancer. And her poise…" I shook my head, annoyed I'd not made the connection between the two. "We must hurry."
"Gus is driving as fast as he can. Anyway, there's no cause for alarm."
"Of course there is. Lady Harcourt must be worried that Lincoln will find Merry Drinkwater and she'll tell him about her involvement."
"You think she'll silence Merry? Charlie! She's no murderess."
"Are you very certain of that?"
"Yes!"
I drummed my fingers on the leather seat. "You may be right."
"I know I am. She may not be the kindest soul, but she's not violent. Besides, she has no reason to harm Merry Drinkwater. She knows we won't inform the police. Killing her achieves nothing. Fitzroy will be furious, but her relationship with him is well and truly over, thanks to your engagement. She can't have any hopes of renewing it now."
"I agree with you there. She isn't foolish enough to think having me abducted would make Lincoln love her."
He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "So what possible motive could Julia have had for helping her?"
"If we don't get an answer from Merry herself, we'll confront Lady H with what we know."
