Page 15 of Dark Tidings on the Thames
“He says he is Mr. John Yardley and that the matter is urgent.”
Gasping, Kara wiggled out of Niall’s arms. Going straight to the door, she threw it open. “Where is he?”
“I put him in the morning room.”
“Good. There is only the one door to that room. Post a couple of our men outside it, Turner. Tell the visitor that I’ll be down presently. Donotallow him to leave that room.” She glanced back at Niall. “Send a message to Wooten. Tell him to get out here, right away.”
“Kara,” Niall said darkly, “who is in the morning room?”
She gave him a sheepish look. “I did try to tell you.”
“Who, Kara?”
Her shoulders lifted. “Well, it’s just… he might be a killer.”
Chapter Four
“What?” Niall rearedback. “Kara, no! Not again!”
“I know! I certainly did not go to that charity this morning expecting to find a murder victim.”
“Who is this man downstairs? How do you know him?”
“I don’t know him. I didn’t encounter him in person, and I never heard his name before this morning. Listen, let me explain.” She looked to Turner. “Set the men outside that door, then come back. I’ll explain everything that happened this morning.”
Twenty minutes later, both men were staring at her in confusion.
Niall knew his expression held a level of exasperation with it. “But I don’t understand. What the devil is he doinghere?”
Kara lifted her hands. “I have no idea. I cannot explain it. But I think perhaps I should find out.”
“Perhaps you should wait for the inspector,” Turner ventured.
Kara shrugged. “We will definitely hold him until Wooten can arrive, but he sought me out. I don’t know why, but he might speak more freely to me.”
“You will not go in there alone,” Niall cautioned her.
“I hadn’t meant to. But who knows how long it will take for Wooten to be found? And then he will have to make his way out here.”
Niall sighed. “I admit to a raging curiosity. Let’s go and see whathe has to say for himself.” He pointed a warning finger. “But if he is not entirely rational, I will drag you out of there and have him hog-tied.”
“Very sensible,” Kara agreed. “Let’s go.”
They stopped outside the morning room. Two footmen waited there. Niall instructed one of them to slip in behind them, so that he might assist at the smallest sign of trouble. His hand on the latch, he raised a brow at his wife.
She nodded.
Niall opened the door and stepped inside. He ran a careful gaze over the man waiting inside. He was thin, and of less-than-average height. In fact, he stood shorter than Kara. He’d been looking out the window, but now he turned, wringing his cap in his hands. He looked nervous, but not agitated. Dark circles underscored pale-gray eyes. His clothes were a bit disheveled. They were not bespoke, but of a decent quality. It was the boots that stood out, though. They were of fine brown leather with an elastic gusset. Yardley was a cobbler with a good deal of skill, it would seem.
The man frowned at Niall, but made no move toward him.
Looking back, Niall gave Kara a nod. She stepped into the room, and the man at once grew animated. Stepping forward, he halted at Niall’s warning glare.
“Are you the Duchess of Sedwick?” the man asked, looking between them.
Kara nodded. “I am. This is my husband, the duke. And you are?”
“I’m John Yardley, my lady, but I ain’t no killer! You must help me!”
