Page 65 of The Gift of Patience
“How soon could you be ready? Time is of the essence.”
“Let me change into riding gear and pack a bag.”
“I’ll send for the horses.”
After he’d given the message to Armstrong, he returned to the study to wait for Carew.
“You know, Stuart, I’ve been thinking about what you said. Besides money, who would have the most to gain by stealing arms?” Rotham asked.
“My first inclination is always going to be the French. Although we have been at relative peace for a while.”
“Precisely. I just remembered who happens to have a French mother.”
Ashley looked blankly.
“Beckett. Rupert’s other bosom beau.”
Rotham meant that literally. Beckett was a well-known pink of theton, similar to Rupert but stylish.
“At least it bears looking into. Even if we are not currently at war with the French, there is still enough hatred for the sympathizers to want to strip our army and its allies of the ability to fight. Moreover, his father is a pompous Whig.”
“An unforgivable sin.”
“We will likely be in London soon, but should you need help of any sort, send for me,” Rotham offered. “Westwood has his mind on other things, and I’d be glad to fill in for him where I may.”
“I appreciate that.” Ashley shook his hand before stepping outside to join Carew. They stopped off to collect Manners, then rode hard and fast, which suited Ashley’s mood. It gave him time to try to sort things out in his mind. There was little doubt with Rupert being killed that they were close enough for the murderer to be uncomfortable. Now they just had to hone in and find proof.
“Let us stop off to speak with my father,” Manners said as they reached the outskirts of Mayfair before they would turn to their home.
“Lead the way,” Ashley agreed. Anything that would help, he welcomed.
“Good afternoon, Major, sirs,” the butler greeted Manners as they entered.
“Is my father in?”
“He’s in his study.”
“Very good. I know the way.”
“I will have some sandwiches sent in for you.”
Manners indicated for Ashley and Carew to follow as they climbed a set of curving marble steps and entered a room lined with oak panels and leather filled bookshelves.
“This is an unexpected surprise,” Lord Upton said, taking off his glasses and rising from behind his desk to come around and greet his son and friends. “Please have a seat. I know Havers will bring something in shortly. Now, tell me what brings you here.”
“We’ve come to see if we can discover some information about Layton and Beckett. Rupert Fagge was shot in the backyesterday when the gang set out upon our prisoner’s caravan to Newgate.”
“So it was deliberate.”
“Yes, my lord. There is no way from where Rupert was that it could have been otherwise,” Ashley explained. “He was almost directly beside me.”
“And no one saw anything?”
“I was on the opposite side of the carriage,” Manners said. “Stuart would’ve had the best vantage point, but it was quite a chaotic gunfight until everyone ran out of balls. The smoke was thick and he would have been an easy mark.”
Lord Upton was thoughtful for a moment. “It means you are too close to the culprit for his comfort. At least it seems you are on the right path. What do you hope to find here?”
“More motive, more evidence.”
