Page 56 of Never a Duchess
“So we need to prove someone added the poison to the bottle, find out who and why,” Miss Ware said, as if the tasks were as simple as choosing ribbons from a box.
Daventry nodded. “The person would need to know how to mix the solution. It might be the proprietor or an assistant.”
“Or a spurned lover who has done her research and had access to the perfumes in Monsieur Baudelaire’s shop.”
“Precisely, Miss Ware. Visit the premises in Bermondsey, the place Valmary uses as a distillery to manufacture his perfumes, and question the manager. And find out where Baudelaire produces his products.”
“We mean to visit Monsieur Baudelaire this afternoon.” Miss Ware removed the notebook from her reticule and scanned the first page. “Lord Sheridan could be involved. He considers himself quite the Casanova.”
“Question him. Show him the letter from Melbourne and explain you’re investigating the poisoning of your friend MacTavish.”
“We planned to do that today,” Callan said, yet his upcoming dinner with Miss Ware would be his main focus.
“I had a man investigate all dockworkers named O’Malley. None are capable of masterminding an abduction in Mayfair. We need to identify the woman in the garden and learn what was in the letter she gave to her attacker.”
“We’ll speak to Mrs Gregory, but the initials on the handkerchief might prove misleading.” Callan doubted the accuracy of the stable boy’s account. He might have found the handkerchief elsewhere and saw an opportunity to gain a sovereign.
“Agreed.”
Miss Ware spoke up. “What about Anne Grimes, sir?”
“There’s no record of her returning to the registry in Goswell Street. With hundreds of such establishments across town, it will be impossible to find her. Apparently, she has a sister in Cheapside. I’ll post a boy outside the house.”
“I suppose I could question the major again.” Callan silently groaned. The last thing he wanted to do was to speak to that reprobate.
“See what information you uncover today. As soon as I have an agent free, I’ll have them take charge of the case. I’m sure you’re desperate to return to Scotland, Your Grace.”
He was desperate to return home, but not alone.
“I’ll nae leave until I’ve discovered who hurt MacTavish.” It wasn’t like Angus had foolishly picked the wrong berries. That said, an argument with Callan’s father had led to his mother’s mental lapse in the woods.
“Angus and Lorna MacTavish are like family,” Miss Ware said, the warmth in her tone touching. “Like His Grace, I wish to see the person punished and mean to work until we catch the culprit.”
Yes, because she had a duchess’ determination.
“Very well. Keep me abreast of all new developments.”
“With the Masters away, am I to have another chaperone, sir?”
Daventry glanced at Callan. “That depends, Miss Ware. Do you care about your reputation? Do you speak from the heart when you say you will never marry? Are you able to ride the storm if your name appears in theScandal Sheet? You’re a grown woman and can decide yourself.”
“I don’t care about myself,” she said stoically. “But I don’t want my actions to reflect badly on the duke or my brother’s family.”
Callan was touched.
No woman had ever cared about his reputation.
Daventry was quick to offer a solution. “I understand your concerns, but a man with Dounreay’s looks and standing won’t have a problem attracting the belle of the Season. Besides, you’ll be fine visiting Bermondsey. When dealing with theton, you will take Denton and Miss MacTavish. The lady could do with the company, and both can be trusted.”
Denton? Bloody Denton!
Callan silently seethed.
The viscount’s angelic good looks would make any woman swoon. And his sister was good friends with Miss Ware.
Before Callan could protest, Lucius Daventry stood. “Visit Bermondsey first. I will arrange for Denton and Miss MacTavish to meet you at Baudelaire’s perfumery at two o’clock this afternoon. The magistrate closed the shop, but you’ll find the Frenchman there, attempting to salvage his stock.”
Then he bid them good day and left the room.
