“A betrayal? Was my name, ah my brother’s name, that is, ever mentioned?”
“No. Not until the last. He mentioned a need to speak to Lord Bryant. He was quite insistent upon it, but he never mentioned a letter or anything about a destiny to be claimed. That is all I know. I regret that I can not be of more help.”
So am I. “You have been of great help. Did your father leave any papers or anything else from his days working for my father?”
Shaw was already shaking his head and looking pained. “My eldest brother inherited most of my father’s effects, which in the end was not much. Anything of value went to pay off my father’s creditors. You are welcome to speak to my brother, that is if you can locate him. I regret to say, Charlie inherited my father’s proclivities toward gambling. It nigh on broke my mother’s heart before her passing. Charlie periodically returns, but more often than not, he is lost to the gambling hells and a world from which I keep a safe distance.”
Daniel frowned. “And your younger brother would not be of any assistance?”
“George? Oh no. Like your brother, he has found his fortunes in America, been there these eight or nine years past. It is unlikely he would be of any help to you.”
It helped only in that it was one less visit they had to make. He wondered if when they located the elusive Charlie he’d still possess his late father’s papers. Daniel feared that what they sought was long lost and their search futile. However, if Edmund was still intent on pursuing this search, Daniel refused to give up the chase. Not yet.
“I appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions. I will not keep you further.” He stood.
Julia came to her feet and smiled at Mr. Shaw. “Thank you for your time.”
Daniel paused and attempted a sheepish look. “I was hoping we could slip out your garden gate. There were a few cronies that recognized my coach and were hoping to have a word.” He smiled at Julia. “I promised my fiancée my undivided attention for the remainder of the day, and I would like to keep my word.”
“Of course; I understand.” Mr. Shaw grinned. “If you will follow me.”
They made their way outside, Julia’s hand on Daniel’s arm, where it was a perfect fit. He warily eyed the back alley before venturing forward.
“Not the most informative of visits. I doubt we will get much more from the gambler, but it’s still worth pursuing, for it is our last lead.” He could not keep the glum tone from his voice. Julia remained silent. “I will ask Robbie to keep searching the gambling hells to see if he can locate Charlie Shaw.” He stopped and grinned at Julia. “Actually, I have a better idea, it might cost a pretty coin, but it might be faster.”
Julia was casting furtive glances around, her hand tightening on his arm. “What is it? If it gets answers more quickly, it is money well spent.”
“I was thinking of hiring our infamous village poacher. Weasel could catch a rabbit in the desert. I am sure he could trap one cardsharp in a gambling hell. And he deserves the money after what my brother did to him.”
Julia squeezed his arm. “He does. Another brilliant business investment. Hire him, Daniel, so we can get answers and end this. This talk of betrayals frightens me.”
“Yes, ‘something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” he murmured, recalling having uttered the prophetic words when he had visited the grounds of Bedford Hall. Whatever the betrayal was, he worried that his father had planted the seeds that had grown into an “unweeded garden” with Edmund. He commiserated with Hamlet, hoping his father’s ghost would not return to haunt him.
“True. ‘Things rank and gross in nature,’” Julia rejoined.
He clamped his jaw at the despair in her voice, cursing himself for allowing her to be drawn into this quagmire. Seeing her fierce resolve, he knew he never had a choice. Warriors did not stay home, nor did his Maid Marian—as much as he wished it otherwise.
He hoped this last venture proved lucrative. Because Shaw’s bloody letter had been right. It was time.
Chapter Twenty-four
JULIA’S steps were as heavy as her heart as they climbed the stairs to Keaton House. She ought to be worried about her ruination and the ensuing scandal, or her decision to accept Daniel’s proposal. Minus the ruination and scandal bit, that was what occupied the minds of most young women. Instead, she sought proof a duke was indeed a murderer and the motives behind his reasoning.
Daniel did this to her. From the moment he had stormed into her life, he was like a gust of wind that scattered her thoughts and swept her feet out from under her. She used to be a calm, responsible young woman. Now she was Maid Marian chasing after windmills. She pressed a hand to her temple, for she was mixing up her literary allusions. She needed time to herself to sort out all that Shaw had imparted, for something about it nagged at her.