The two merely nodded at each other.
“Are you still ill, Whitney?” William asked.
“No. Just grieving.” He led them to the drawing room, and they all sat. He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “A terrible thing.”
Although he didn’t look sick this time, he had dark circles under his bloodshot eyes, and his hand shook as he picked up a newspaper from the sofa and placed it on the table.
“I am so sorry about Mrs. Johnson.”
He merely dipped his head and sighed. “Thank you. I have not been able to sleep or eat since she passed away.”
Amy was growing more uncomfortable as they remained. Patrick just sat there, staring into space.
Finally, William said, “We stopped in to see how you were doing and also to tell you your stepmother has been advised of your illness.”
He looked over at William. “She is not worried, is she?”
“No. I told her you were on the way to recovery.”
“Good, good.” He continued to stare, giving a slight sigh every once in a while.
Amy caught William’s eye and gestured with her head toward the door. In unison, they both stood.
“We will leave you now, Whitney. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know.”
“Thank you.” He climbed from the sofa and walked them to the door. “I appreciate you stopping in.”
“Will you be staying here for a while, then?”
“Not for long. I expect to return to my own rooms shortly.”
“Well, we’ll be off, then.” William took Amy’s arm, and they descended the steps and climbed into in the carriage.
“The poor man is a mess,” Amy said.
“Yes.” William stared at the house as they left, his brows furrowed.
CHAPTER 29
Amy and William entered the bookstore for the weekly meeting. Aunt Margaret had agreed to come with them but said she would browse the bookshelves for a while, then join them in the meeting and do a quick sketch of Mr. Davidson before the gathering broke up.
Miss Gertrude and Miss Penelope were standing in a circle with Lady Wethington and Mr. Colbert when they arrived. Amy noted that Mr. Colbert stood closer to Lady Wethington than anyone else.
Miss Gertrude hurried over to Amy, took her by the arm, and led her to one of the settees. “I am very upset, my lady, and I can’t think of anyone else I can speak to about this.”
“What is the matter, Miss Gertrude?
With shaky hands, the woman patted her upper lip with the handkerchief she clutched in her hands. “You know that horrible Mr. Harding was blackmailing me?”
“Yes. I agree, he is horrible, and yes, you told me he was blackmailing you. Does your upset have something to do with that?”
“Yes.”
Amy took Miss Gertrude’s ice-cold hands in hers. “What is the problem?”
The poor woman attempted to pull herself together. She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “I received a letter in today’s post. The writer of the missive claims to be in possession of the information Mr. Harding had and said he intended to continue with the blackmail.” Her hurried words ran together.
Amy was shocked. Since she had the ledger, how did the author of the letter know whom Mr. Harding was blackmailing? Did Harding have a partner?
“I know you and Lord Wethington have been doing a search for Mr. Harding’s killer, so I thought maybe you would know who this person is.” She continued to wring her hands around the handkerchief.
Amy shook her head. “No, I am afraid not. However, let me speak with Lord Wethington about this and see if we can help in any way. In the meantime, do not agree to meet this person.”
“But what am I to do?”
She studied the woman for a minute. “Is your secret so very terrible that it is better to continue paying someone than have it come to light?”
“Oh, yes!” Miss Gertrude reared back, her eyes wide. “It was something I had no control over, but if it is discovered, I would lose my position in society, church, and even here in the book club.” She shook her head furiously. “No. I could never let that come to light.”
From Miss Gertrude’s demeanor and words, Amy suspected they could cross her off their list of suspects. She was much too distraught. Unless, of course, she was upset at the idea of having to kill another person. Two down and one more to go?
One would think that picking up where Mr. Harding left off in blackmailing his victims could be risky, since the man had been murdered. Amy squeezed the woman’s hands. “Lord Wethington and I will do everything possible to help. But I wish to restate, do not agree to meet anyone, anywhere. The situation is much too dangerous.”
Miss Gertrude slumped. “Thank you. I feel better just knowing the two of you might be able to help. I can’t continue to pay. I’ve been taking the money from the inheritance our father left me and sister. It was supposed to last the rest of our lives. If I keep paying, the rest of our lives would not be more than a few more years.” She shook her head. “That is so unfair to Penelope.”
Amy wasn’t sure if Miss Gertrude was attempting humor or if she was serious about how dire their money situation had grown.
“I will be in touch with you. Please try to calm yourself. You have a friend in me and Lord Wethington.”
A lone tear tracked down Miss Gertrude’s cheek. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you and Lord Wethington as friends.”
Mr. Colbert called the meeting to order, and the members took their seats. Lady Wethington had come with Mr. Colbert, and she sat right at the front no more than five feet from him.
Mr. Davidson and Mr. Rawlings entered and took seats together on one of the settees.
Amy considered herself a sophisticated woman of the world, so she tried very hard not
