Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

" H ere again, my lord?" Mrs. Wren's housekeeper asked somewhat cheekily when he arrived the following morning to fetch Miss Wren to Scotland Yard.

Hadrian acknowledged their household was likely far more relaxed than his own. His butler would never pose such a question to someone outside Hadrian or the other retainers. But then, Mrs. Wren didn't have a butler, and her household was certainly smaller and more informal. Hadrian couldn't find fault with that. In fact, he found himself charmed by the housekeeper's humor.

"Indeed, I am," Hadrian said with a smile. "Miss Wren and I have business to attend."

"So I understand. You have made an excellent choice hiring Miss Wren to conduct an investigation for you."

Hadrian heard the woman's pride and smiled. "I think so too, though I am glad to hear your endorsement."

The housekeeper nodded. "Do come into the parlor. I'll fetch Miss Wren." As he walked toward the doorway, the housekeeper added, "I should tell you Mrs. Wren is there." She flashed him a smile before taking herself off.

Hadrian entered the parlor where Mrs. Wren was seated in a chair by the front window doing needlework. She looked up as he entered.

"Lord Ravenhurst, how charming to see you."

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Wren."

She peered at him over her half-moon spectacles. "You've caught me during prime needlework time. This window has the best light for my poor eyes."

Miss Wren swept into the room wearing the same mourning gown, and he was now certain it was the only one she owned.

"Tilda, your Lord Ravenhurst is here." Mrs. Wren possessed a barely concealed enthusiasm.

"He is not my Lord Ravenhurst." Miss Wren's lips pursed ever so slightly.

"He is your client, is he not?" her grandmother asked, sounding a trifle annoyed. Hadrian wondered if it bothered her that he'd employed her granddaughter. It was unusual for a woman to do such work. Mrs. Wren looked to Hadrian. "I understand you've hired her to determine who stabbed you. What a horrid event. I'm so sorry, my lord."

"I'm much recovered," Hadrian said.

Miss Wren had remained near the doorway to the entrance hall. "Grandmama, I'll be back later this afternoon."

That long? Hadrian didn't think their errand to Scotland Yard would take hours, but Miss Wren was the expert, and he would follow her lead.

As Miss Wren moved into the small entrance hall, Hadrian bowed to Mrs. Wren. "A pleasure to see you again."

"For me as well." Mrs. Wren smiled, her features crinkling with the ease of a woman who had known joy in her life. "Perhaps next time you'll stay for tea."

"I should like that," Hadrian said before joining Miss Wren in the entrance hall as she was donning her gloves. Her bonnet was already atop her head, and a reticule hung from one wrist. The housekeeper stood nearby. Presumably, she'd fetched the accessories for Miss Wren.

"I'll be out several hours, I expect, Mrs. Acorn," Miss Wren said. "Do not hold tea for me."

The housekeeper nodded then sent a smile toward Hadrian just before he opened the door for Miss Wren. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Acorn," he said, glad to know the woman's name.

Following Miss Wren outside, Hadrian closed the door behind him. His coachman stood at the coach and held the door open for Miss Wren. She did not require Hadrian's assistance as she climbed inside.

She sat on the rear-facing seat again. As Hadrian took the opposite one, he said. "It was your turn to ride facing forward. Indeed, you must always do so."

"Nonsense," she said. "It's your coach. I am merely your employee. How about if we take turns?"

"That seems fair," Hadrian said with a nod.

"Is fairness important to you?" she asked.

"Yes."

"It is to me too, actually. I will take the forward-facing seat next time." She turned her head toward the window as they started moving.

"What does your grandmother make of you working as an investigator?" Hadrian asked.

Miss Wren exhaled. "She was not entirely enthused, but she knows how much it means to me to do this sort of work."

Hadrian was intrigued by her drive toward a career that was not available to women. Or a career at all, really. Women of his class worked for charitable endeavors and managed households. He admired Miss Wren's ambition and persistence.

"Did you prepare an invoice for your work yesterday?" he asked.

"I started one, but I thought to wait to complete and submit it to you until after we concluded today's errand." She looked at him intently. "In truth, my lord, you really needn't accompany me as I work to solve this case for you."

"But that is our arrangement." Hadrian wasn't going to miss anything, especially since he couldn't tell her everything. "I am personally invested in every aspect of this investigation."

"Because you were nearly killed." She nodded. "If at any time you are unable to participate, please don't feel you must. I know you have other responsibilities, and I am quite capable of managing on my own."

"I don't doubt that for a moment," Hadrian said. He had to admit he was also looking forward to watching her work. "I hope you realize that is not at all the reason I insist upon joining you."

She only inclined her head in response. After a few moments, she said, "I am hopeful these reports from your and Crawford's attack will help us today. I confess I am not sure where to begin looking for your assailant, though the ring you have in your possession may help."

Hadrian jolted. Of course she couldn't know how the ring had aided him thus far. Her choice of wording had just given him a start.

Miss Wren continued, "It's not as if we can go flashing it about London. We need to narrow our search somehow. I suppose we'll begin in the vicinity of where you were attacked. Though he hasn't stabbed anyone else in that area—that we know of—that doesn't mean he isn't still around."

Hadrian didn't think she would find him near Whitehall or Westminster. He was farther east because he'd been to the Bell tavern on Fish Street Hill. He could lead her there, but how would he explain why he was doing so? If he told her the truth, she'd think him mad. And she may not be wrong. He'd handled the ring again last night, hopeful that he might see something new, but he had not.

"It sounds daunting to try and find him," Hadrian said, though he had the added benefit of knowing his curse may be able to help them. He simply had to find a way to share the information he learned from his visions without telling Miss Wren the truth about how he knew. He nearly laughed at the thought of that being remotely simple.

"We have to start somewhere," she said with a shrug. "Today, we will speak with Inspector Lowther, who worked with my father. I sent a note yesterday asking to see him. He has helped me from time to time with my divorce investigations." She paused before continuing, "I should tell you that I don't plan to inform Lowther that you've hired me to conduct an investigation. I am not sure how he, or anyone at Scotland Yard, would feel about that. I've told Lowther you are a family friend and that I offered to help you gain answers about your attack."

Hadrian hated that they had to misrepresent her role, but he understood why it might be necessary. "I find it frustrating that anyone at Scotland Yard could fault me for hiring an investigator when they have done such a poor job of investigating."

"They may not mind you doing that . They will mind, however, that you hired me ."

"And I mind that they mind," Hadrian said crossly. "I can hire whomever I like."

She smiled but quickly sobered. Hadrian wished she hadn't. He liked her smile and wondered if she didn't have enough opportunity to do so.

A few minutes later, they arrived at Scotland Yard. The coachman opened the door, and Hadrian stepped down. He held up his hand for Miss Wren. She hesitated briefly but took his hand as she climbed out. It was silly, but Hadrian felt a tremor of exhilaration shoot up his arm. Was this his curse? No, he was wearing a glove.

Hadrian informed his coachman to return in a half hour's time then escorted Miss Wren to the main entrance. She entered before him and led him along a corridor to an office, presumably Inspector Lowther's. The door was open, and a man sat behind the desk. He rose when he saw them.

"Miss Wren." The inspector greeted her with a smile as he moved around the desk. He appeared to be in his mid-forties and sported a thick shock of nearly black hair. Bushy brows crested deep-set brown eyes. He was burly and tall, a model physical specimen of the Metropolitan Police. "It's good to see you. How is your grandmother?"

"Well, thank you. And how are Mrs. Lowther and your children?"

"Very well," Lowther replied with a nod. "My youngest just had his eleventh birthday. He makes good marks in school."

"You must be proud," Miss Wren said with a smile. "Please allow me to introduce my associate, Lord Ravenhurst. He is a family friend, and I am helping him with some matters."

Lowther held out his hand, and Hadrian quickly removed his glove to shake it. There was a sudden flash of pride and the face of a boy bloomed and faded in Hadrian's mind.

"Pleased to meet you, my lord," the older man said.

"Likewise," Hadrian managed to say as he tried to understand what had just happened. He'd touched that man's hand, and his curse had activated. His hand shook slightly as he pulled his glove back on. He quickly dropped his arm to his side but still felt unsettled.

"I didn't realize your family had such lofty friends," Lowther said to Miss Wren with a smile.

She only inclined her head then removed something from her pocket which she slid into his hand. "I am glad to hear your family is doing well. We have had some upset as my grandfather's cousin, Sir Henry Meacham, recently died suddenly."

Lowther slid the item she'd given him—an envelope—into his pocket. Was that a…bribe? "I'm sorry to hear that." He moved to close the office door.

"It has been a blow," she said. "However, that is not why we've come today."

Hadrian wished it was because he wanted answers about Sir Henry's death. He would try to find a way to steer the conversation in that direction, just as Miss Wren was capable of doing.

"How can I help?" Lowther said amiably.

"Perhaps you are aware that Lord Ravenhurst was stabbed several weeks ago," Miss Wren said.

"I am. All of Scotland Yard hears when an earl is attacked." He looked at Hadrian. "You seem well recovered."

"I spent several weeks recuperating. I am fortunate to be alive."

Miss Wren went on, "It seems Lord Ravenhurst's case has been closed, and yet he has questions about the resolution. He spoke with an inspector recently and requested to review the report of his attack as well as the report for an attack on Mr. Patrick Crawford."

"Wasn't he stabbed the following week?" Lowther asked. "Infuriating that we didn't catch the culprit. We should have been watching that area very closely after his lordship was attacked. Could've prevented Crawford's death." The inspector frowned.

"Does that mean both crimes were committed by the same person?" Miss Wren asked.

"I'm not sure," Lowther said. "Though, that makes the most sense to me."

It made the most sense to Hadrian as well. "It is infuriating that the culprit was resolved to be a footpad. I am not aware of footpads who stab their marks," Hadrian said wryly.

"That is not typically how they operate," Lowther said in agreement.

Hadrian was encouraged that the inspector seemed reasonable. "I spoke with Inspector Teague the other night, and he was going to retrieve the reports yesterday. Given Miss Wren's connections here, I thought it prudent that she accompany me."

"I would say so, though as an earl, I'd wager you could get whatever you asked for," Lowther remarked with a chuckle. "I'll go and fetch the reports from Teague. I'll be back shortly. Please, sit." He gestured toward a pair of chairs opposite his desk.

When he was gone, they moved to sit. Hadrian realized this was his opportunity to press her about the other part of the investigation that she didn't realize was connected. "It occurs to me, Miss Wren, that you should query Inspector Lowther about Sir Henry's death whilst we're here."

Her golden brows pitched into a V. "I couldn't do that when we are here to investigate your attack."

"It seems silly for you to make a separate appointment. You should take advantage of having his attention."

"I suppose I could," she said slowly, as if she were warming to the idea. "I would like to ask why there wasn't an inquest given the circumstances of Sir Henry's death."

Hadrian had another pressing matter to discuss. "What did you give Lowther after we arrived?"

"I gave him a pound note. Bribes are commonplace, though I only give them to a few select people. Doing me a favor can be a risk, so I compensate them. These are men with families who need the money. Lowther in particular has five children, one of whom is sickly."

"Don't you need the money?" Hadrian asked, thinking Miss Wren had a kind heart. He was not surprised.

"I'll be including the cost of the bribe in your invoice," she said with the flash of a smile.

"What if I don't agree with bribery?" It did not sit well with him.

"Then we may run into difficulty, because it is sometimes necessary."

"Was it today, though?" It had seemed as though Miss Wren and Lowther were at least friendly acquaintances. She wasn't asking him to break any rules or laws.

She shrugged. "Perhaps not, but Lowther is now incentivized to help us to the best of his ability, and I like knowing that."

"I should like to think he'd help you because it's his job," Hadrian muttered. "I didn't realize the police were this corrupt."

"Corruption is almost ubiquitous, I'm afraid." She almost sounded sad. "My father didn't like it, but he understood why some men sought additional funds for their families."

"I have to say that my faith in the police is shaken." Hadrian wondered if he ought to launch a parliamentary investigation into the Metropolitan Police.

She looked at him with sympathy. "I'm sorry. I would feel the same after what's happened to you."

Lowther returned, but he was empty-handed. He sat down behind his desk, appearing flummoxed. "Teague said those reports have been marked as confidential. I'm afraid we're not able to share them."

Miss Wren glanced at Hadrian, her brow creased. "That is odd. Why have they been classified that way?"

"I don't know, but I'll look into it. I can try to speak with the inspector who worked on those cases." Lowther grimaced. "I say ‘try' because Padgett can be a bit sour."

"That was my impression of him," Hadrian said.

Lowther reached into his pocket and withdrew the envelope Miss Wren had given him. "I should return this since I wasn't able to help today."

She waved at him to put it back. "Keep it for now. You're going to see about obtaining those reports for the earl ."

"I should hate to have to speak with the Home Secretary to obtain them," Hadrian said, thinking it wouldn't hurt to use his rank. Was that any better than bribery? "But as you so aptly pointed out, I am likely to receive whatever I ask for."

"I would tell you to go ahead and do that," Lowther said. "However, the superintendent won't like it. Let me try to obtain them first, then you can go over our heads."

Hadrian nodded. "I may wish to speak with the superintendent at some point. I would like an explanation as to why my attempted murder and Crawford's murder were blamed on a common footpad. It just doesn't make any sense to me."

"Nor to me," Miss Wren put in.

"I can't say I disagree with you," Lowther said, and Hadrian's opinion of him, already improved when he'd offered to return the bribe, climbed. "I'll do my best to help you with this matter." He looked to Miss Wren. "I'll send word as soon as I have something to share."

"Thank you," Miss Wren replied. "I have an additional matter I'd like to ask you about. I mentioned earlier that my grandfather's cousin had died. He collapsed in a club or a tavern, I'm not sure where, and was found to have died from a heart attack. He was taken to his physician who completed a death certificate."

Lowther stroked his chin briefly. "How odd. The burial registry would have been sufficient."

"My thoughts exactly," Miss Wren said. "Sir Henry had a wound on his side that had been stitched. That does not sound as though it was due to an autopsy, so I'm curious what caused it."

"No, that doesn't sound like an autopsy. He would've been cut down the middle, as you know." Lowther was quiet a moment. "You said his physician completed a death certificate. Can we assume he performed an autopsy?"

"I don't think we can assume anything. I don't understand why there wasn't an inquest. Sir Henry died in a public place and apparently had a wound of some kind."

"That is strange." Lowther tapped his fingers atop the desk. "I'll look into the matter and let you know what I find out."

"Would you be able to obtain the autopsy report if one was completed?" Miss Wren asked.

"Yes. In fact, let me try to find it now. Excuse me again for a few minutes." He stood and left the office once more.

"Lowther seems most helpful," Hadrian noted. Was it because of the bribe? "How well do you know him?"

"Well enough. He was a new constable under my father and had a great deal of respect for him. Lowther was a solid source of support when he died." She did not meet Hadrian's eyes.

"I can tell how much your father meant to you," he said quietly. "How did he die?"

She flicked a glance at him and straightened her spine against the back of the chair. "He happened upon a crime and was killed when he tried to stop it. Lowther was the first constable to arrive. He found my father."

Hadrian was surprised the man would take money from her, but then the whole scheme of bribery was distasteful to him, even if it was necessary.

Lowther returned, closing the door behind him and returning to his chair behind the desk. "I can't find an autopsy report, so I presume one wasn't conducted. That would not be strange if the cause of death could be easily determined, and it sounds as though it was."

"Except it doesn't account for his mysterious wound." Miss Wren stood abruptly. "Thank you for your time today, Inspector."

Lowther rose. "I'm always pleased to see you, Miss Wren. We'll speak soon."

Nodding at the inspector, Hadrian escorted Miss Wren from the office. On their way out of the building, they encountered Inspector Teague.

He nodded once as he saw Hadrian. "Afternoon, Ravenhurst."

Hadrian gestured to Miss Wren. "This is Miss Wren."

Teague inclined his head toward her. "Lowther informed me that Thomas Wren's daughter was in his office with you. I'm Inspector Teague. My father also worked for Scotland Yard, and before him, my grandfather worked for Bow Street. Your father's reputation was well known and admired."

"That's kind of you to say," Miss Wren said with a soft smile.

Hadrian appreciated this moment for her.

Teague arched a brow at Hadrian. "I'm surprised you didn't come to me since I am the one who offered to fetch those reports for you." His tone wasn't exactly accusatory, but he sounded a bit put out.

"My apologies," Hadrian said. "Miss Wren is acquainted with Inspector Lowther, and she offered to help me obtain information." He hoped he was saying the right things.

"I'm not sure you need both of us looking into the same matter, but I'm afraid I'm too curious about this case to leave it to Lowther. He told you the reports have been classified as confidential?"

Hadrian nodded.

"Why classify the report of a crime that's been attributed to a common footpad as confidential?" Teague mused.

"It does make the whole situation seem even more suspicious, does it not?" Hadrian asked.

Miss Wren interjected, "Inspector, since Lowther is looking into this matter, you don't really need to do so."

"I understand, but as I said, I'm rather invested now," Teague said with the flash of a smile. "I don't like that the police have let his lordship down. We can do better."

"It can't hurt to have you looking into things." Hadrian thought two inspectors had to be better than one, especially if neither of them were named Padgett.

"I'll send word when I know more." Teague looked to Miss Wren. "It's a distinct pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Wren." He nodded at Hadrian. "Ravenhurst."

Hadrian escorted Miss Wren from the building and was pleased to see his coachman was just returning. She settled into the forward-facing seat, much to Hadrian's satisfaction. Hadrian sat opposite her.

"You interfered with my investigation," Miss Wren said, her gaze cool.

"How?"

"Having two inspectors looking into the same matter involving cases that have already been closed and are now classified as confidential will rouse suspicion," she replied evenly. "It may be more difficult for them to learn anything."

"It sounds as though you think someone at the police is concealing information."

"I think the way your case and Crawford's have been handled warrants investigation, but some people, namely Padgett, won't like that. We must proceed carefully."

Damn. He had interfered. "I didn't mean to impose myself. I've hired you to manage this, and I must let you do it. My apologies."

"Thank you."

Hadrian wanted to ensure he remained privy to her investigation into Sir Henry. And yet he couldn't tell her why he was certain his death and Hadrian's own attack were connected.

A part of him wanted to confide in her. He found her easy to talk to, and he admired her intellect. But that very intellect likely wouldn't allow her to believe the absurdity he would tell her, that he could see things when he touched objects and, apparently, even people.

God, he hadn't even had time to think about what he'd seen and felt when he'd shaken Lowther's hand. Whilst he hadn't seen anything troubling, the experience had been shocking. He didn't want to consider that he could never touch a person again without seeing something he didn't want to.

"Miss Wren, I can't help wondering if Sir Henry wasn't stabbed in the same manner that I and Crawford were stabbed."

"That seems highly unlikely. What possible connection could there be between you, Crawford, and Sir Henry? I do see how your attack and Crawford's are related, but Sir Henry died weeks later at an alehouse or wherever he was." Her eyes shuttered, and he had the sense she was thinking.

"I don't know," Hadrian said, feeling frustrated. "After our interview with Lowther, it seems clear to me that you must speak with Sir Henry's physician about the night he died."

"I was thinking the same thing. I may call on him after you drop me at home."

"I could take you, if you like." Hadrian tried not to sound overly enthusiastic—or what had she called him, aggressive?—though he was anxious to accompany her. "I'll even compensate you for your time, since I have it in my mind that Sir Henry's death is somehow connected to my assailant."

"Specifically, to your assailant?" she asked sharply, her gaze shrewd.

"Perhaps," Hadrian said, thinking he'd nearly exposed himself. He needed to be careful. Miss Wren would surely discover his secret if he wasn't. "I only mean that it's possible the same man stabbed Sir Henry in the same way he stabbed me and Crawford." He sounded absolutely cracked just saying that. How could he ever tell her he saw visions and felt sensations?

She pondered what he said for a moment. "If you want to pay me to accompany me to Harley Street, I won't object."

Hadrian relaxed against the squab. "Brilliant. I would also offer my assistance should you require it. I understand the matter of Sir Henry's death is concerning to you, particularly in the manner of financial problems it has caused."

She gave him a beleaguered look. "Lord Ravenhurst, you are somehow even more aggressively curious than I am."

Hadrian couldn't help but laugh. "I can't decide if that is a compliment."

"It is merely a statement of fact," she said with a shake of her head. "It does occur to me that having a man at my side whilst I make certain inquiries could be beneficial. I will consider your offer."

That was all he could hope for.