Page 71 of The Trick of the Treasure
“Did she have no personal possessions?” he asked with odd frustration.
“She had the little wood carvings that were pretty. A dolphin, a mermaid that we thought looked awfully like her.” Rachel cast a sweeping glance around the room, as though she might have missed them before. “They’ve gone too. They wouldn’t have taken up much space.”
As a last resort, Solomon hefted up the mattress. Then he looked under the bed.
Sighing, he sat on it. “I believe your aunt took poor children to the seaside sometimes.”
“She did. Quite often, so that all the children could get a chance. I asked to go once because it sounded great fun, but Mama would not let me.”
“Where did she take them?” he asked.
“I’m not sure. I want to say Folkestone, but actually, I don’t know why. Someone else may have mentioned it.”
The railway went to Folkestone from Tower Bridge. Or was it Waterloo? Either way, the trains connected with the ferry to Boulogne. It was the most convenient way to get from London to France. “I shall look into that. Thank you. Rachel…you once mentioned to me in passing that in her youth, your aunt had been disappointed in love. Who with?”
“I don’t know,” Rachel said with regret. “She only referred to it obliquely, and when I asked my parents, they denied knowing what I was talking about.”
“Perhaps they didn’t.”
“No, I expect he wasn’t good enough for Papa. He preferred theappearanceof a spinster sister to a mésalliance.”
Because that way he could blame Audrey for the failure? Solomon suspected that was what Rachel thought, though she was too loyal—just—to say it.
“Have you ever met Captain Tybalt?”
“Papa’s sea captain? What on earth makes you ask that?”
“A shade too innocent,” he observed dryly. “I imagine you have contrived to make the acquaintance of all your parents’ friends. And your siblings’.”
“Well, I did speak to him once or twice. I was curious—the captain being the person most in control of Papa’s safety during his expeditions.”
“What did you think of him?”
She considered. “Too polite. I didn’tdislike him, but he never smiled as though he meant it. To be fair, though, many people are not amused to be accosted by a nosy child, especially people who cone on business.”
“Then he was never a dinner or a party guest?”
“Oh, no. To Papa, he was staff.”
“Do you think your aunt might have known him?”
Her eyes widened. “I never considered it, but I suppose she might have. She is involved with a seamen’s charity, and Captain Tybalt… I have this idea that Papa knew him in the country.”
“On the estate? So if your father knew him, so might your aunt?”
“It’s more than possible. Have I said something helpful?”
“Very helpful,” he assured her, standing. “One more question about your observations, Miss Rachel. What do you think of Ben Devine?”
“Oh, we’ve known him forever,” she said dismissively. “He’s too used to following Sydney around, but otherwise I don’t mind him.” She frowned. “I wouldn’t marry him, though.”
“I wouldn’t let your sister do so either, if I were you. Not for a few years, at least.”
“Wild oats,” Rachel said with a vague yet wise nod. “Where are you off to now? Can I help?”
“Do you know where Sydney is?”
“We can see if he’s in his room.”
