She climbed down without the assistance of the somewhat startled coachman, and set off towards her quarry.
“Mr. Hurlwood!” she exclaimed with delight when she was within a dozen yards. “How pleasant to see you!”
He looked startled. Obviously his mind had been upon whatever matters of government and administration he had discussed last, or proposed to discuss next. Social acquaintances were not expected at this time in the afternoon, in the middle of the city.
“Good afternoon … Mrs. Radley,” he said with surprise. He raised his hat and stopped, moving a little aside to allow others to pass. “How are you?”
She smiled charmingly. “In most excellent health, thank you. What a lovely day, isn’t it? One feels filled with boundless optimism at such a time.”
“Indeed,” he agreed pleasantly. “You have every reason. It was an excellent victory, and the sweeter for having been unexpected, at least by some.”
“Oh yes! I am afraid I did not even believe it myself at first. I should have had more confidence, shouldn’t I?”
He smiled. “As events proved, yes, but I think it is far wiser to be modest beforehand, and then rejoice afterwards, than the other way around.”
“Oh indeed. I am afraid poor Mr. Uttley did not take his defeat very well. One must learn to be discreet, do you not agree? Keeping one’s emotions to oneself is a great part of success in public life, I think.” She made it a question, and gazed at him with wide innocent eyes.
“I expect you are right,” he said slowly, obviously uncertain quite what she was referring to in addition to Uttley, but he had realized she meant more than simple observation.
“What one knows about but has been conducted with the utmost discretion is quite another matter.” She inclined her head with a knowing little smile. “Love affairs that are … quite private.”
He looked a trifle uncomfortable, but she did not know if it was guilt or merely embarrassment at a rather tasteless remark.
“I think Mrs. Arledge is bearing up very well after such a wretched bereavement, don’t you?” she went on. “Such a difficult time for it to have happened. But I am sure you will be of the utmost comfort to her, and the soul of good judgment and discretion.”
He blushed deeply and his hand on his cane was clenched. His voice was a little husky when he replied.
“Yes—quite. One does what one can.” It was a meaningless remark, and they both knew it. His hot, uncomfortable eyes gave her the answer she was seeking. An admission in words was unnecessary.
“I will not keep you, Mr. Hurlwood,” she said graciously. “I am sure you have some business of importance to attend, and you have been so courteous to me already. I wish you a good day. It was most agreeable to have met you.” And with a charming smile, all innocent pleasure, she swept away and crossed the street back towards her waiting carriage and a footman who knew better than to wonder what his mistress was about.
“What do we do now?” Emily said eagerly, but with a faintly puckered brow. She and Charlotte were sitting in Emily’s boudoir in Ashworth House. It was a better place than the withdrawing room, because although Jack was supposed to be at the House of Commons, it was just possible he might return, and this was a conversation it would be a great deal better he did not overhear, even in part.
Similarly, Charlotte had left instructions with Gracie that she did not know what time she would return, so Gracie should give the children their evening meal and see them to bed, and if the master came home, she was to inform him that the mistress was visiting with Emily and might even stay the night. It was not a time when she would normally have been absent, but there was no help for it Of course the difference was that Charlotte would tell Gracie the reasons, whereas Emily would very much rather not have her servants know anything about it. They were all very impressed with Jack’s victory, and their loyalties were acutely divided.
“We must find proof, if there is any,” Charlotte replied.
“There’s bound to be, isn’t there?”
“Only if one of them did it. If they are innocent there won’t be.”
Emily waved her hand. “Let’s not even think of that. How do you suppose it happened? I mean, how could she have done it, if it were her?”
Charlotte thought for several moments.
“Well it’s not very difficult to hit someone on the head, if they trust you and are not expecting anything of the sort. Obviously you are very pleasant to them …”
“You’d have to lure them to where you wanted.” Emily took up the thread. “A grown man, even a thinnish one, would be terribly difficult to move once he was insensible. How on earth did she get him to the bandstand in the park?”
“One thing at a time,” Charlotte reproved. “So far we haven’t even hit him on the head.”
“Well get on with it! What are you waiting for?”
“To get him to the right place, of course. It takes some planning. It must be the right time, too. We don’t want him lying around for hours!”
“Why not?” Emily asked immediately. “Does it matter?”
“Of course it does! There are servants. How can you explain your—”
“All right,” Emily interrupted. “Yes. I see. Then it has to be after the servants have retired, or in a place where they will not go. What about the garden somewhere? After dark you can be certain the gardener will not be working. A greenhouse or potting shed?”
“Excellent,” Charlotte agreed. “How does one persuade him to go to the greenhouse after dark?”
“To show him something….”
