In silence, Greg and Sarah threaded their way down through the winding roads in the general direction of Milsom Street. They were both so deep in thought that neither of them saw Lord Percival as they walked past him. He stood and watched them until they turned the next corner. The expression on his face was very ugly. He grasped his ebony cane and struck it angrily against the railings of the basement area outside his lodging.
Sarah was walking automatically. She did not notice where they were, her mind was in such turmoil. She still felt as if she was on the edge of a cliff, staring down but unable to move backwards. Her plan to seek employment had come to nothing. Why had she let him persuade her? Why had she let him kiss her? Even worse, why had she kissed him back?
She knew the answer to that, of course, and it brought colour to her cheeks to admit it. She was still dwelling on the matter when she realized that they had stopped walking. She raised her head in surprise to discover that they were outside General Gardiner’s house. She turned to Greg. Suddenly she was shy and it took a great effort to meet his gaze. Those glorious eyes were fixed on her face. He gave her a rueful grin.
‘We have been on a long journey this morning,’ he said finally.‘Will you please promise me not to go near Queen Square for the present?’
‘I cannot leave it very long.’
His expression became serious. A muscle clenched in his jaw. ‘Be patient for a while. Things may improve.’ He beat his usual tattoo on the knocker. ‘I shall do myself the honour of calling this afternoon to see how you and Lizzie go on.’
He touched his hat as the door opened. He watched her go inside. When the door closed behind her, Greg drew a deep breath. A lot had changed in the past hour. He strode briskly down to the Pump Room, where his father would be expecting to see him. Then he must find Preston. It was time to put more pressure on James Davenport.
The crowd in the Pump Room was quite dense as it was now the middle of the day. Greg found his father in conversation with several old friends. He made his bow to them all, and seeing that his father was well content to remain where he was, Greg wandered round in search of Richard. It was not long before he came across Lizzie and her friend Lavinia Keating. He greeted them politely and smiled around at the group of friends surrounding them.
Richard was among them. Greg gave him a significant look and shortly afterwards, Richard made his way to his brother’s side.
‘More fencing?’ he asked with a touch of apprehension.
‘Not at the moment. Be a good fellow and fetch my curricle into town.’
‘What, now?’ asked Richard with obvious reluctance. He glanced at the group of young people around Lizzie. ‘We are just making arrangements for a theatre visit.’
‘It is important,’ said Greg, ‘and tell Preston to meet me in half an hour. Say it is on business. I shall be at The Swan, down the road from here. Oh, just a minute,’ he added, as Richard was turning away, ‘here is a little gift for you.’ He dug a hand into the pocket of his riding coat and produced a small packet. Richard unwrapped it and gave a nod of appreciation at the fob that Greg had bought the day before.
When Preston entered The Swan, he was dressed like a gentleman in a caped driving coat over a discreet dark suit. He joined Greg at a scuffed wooden table and looked enquiringly at his master.
‘Adventure?’ he asked. Greg nodded. Preston’s eyes lit up. ‘Not before time,’ he said, ‘it was getting very dull, Major, for both of us.’
‘Speak for yourself,’ replied Greg.
Preston took on a knowing look. ‘So that’s what you were doing … as if I didn’t know. All them fresh shirts and neckties….’ He shook his head.
‘Never mind that,’ said Greg, just slightly embarrassed at being so transparent to his valet, ‘I need you to make the acquaintance of a young gentleman called Davenport. He is very fond of card playing. I need to find out how skilled he is but he is wary of me.’
Preston nodded. ‘Just show me who he is, Major.’
Greg nodded. ‘Richard will show you. Now you get to the shops and rig yourself out for an evening or two in the card room. You need to play the part of a wealthy businessman with money to burn.’ He pulled out his watch and frowned. ‘I must go now, I have another errand to deal with. I shall be at the Upper Rooms by ten. You will not know me.’
Preston nodded. He raised his brows. ‘How deep shall I play?’
Greg considered. ‘Not too deep, but enough to see if he is skilled with the cards or merely a young fool.’ He waited until Preston had left the taproom, then stood up himself, ducking his head just in time to avoid hitting it on a beam. He made his way out cautiously. It felt good to be able at last to move upon these two men who were almost certainly hiding vital information from him.
In the doorway of The Swan he almost bumped into Richard, who was rushing in to find him.
‘My horses?’ Greg frowned in alarm at his panting brother.
Richard grabbed at his arm. ‘Horses – are – fine….’ he gasped and gestured towards the bar. ‘Need – a drink….’
Greg looked at him from under his brows but turned back and called for ale. As soon as it was placed before him, Richard grasped the tankard and tilted the brew down his throat.
Greg tapped his fist on the bar counter. ‘Well, man? I am in a hurry!’
Richard wiped his mouth. ‘This is serious,’ he muttered. ‘Jenkins and I went to harness your bays to the curricle. I started to drive off, but as I set the horses to trot, the carriage did not feel right. Almost at the same time, I could hear Jenkins shouting at me to stop.’
Greg leaned forward. ‘Were my horses injured?’ he asked urgently.
‘No, no, told you, they are fine. But the outside wheel was loose and just ready to fall off.’ He gave his brother a sharp look. ‘Jenkins swears he checked everything after you returned from your visit to Theo.’
Greg’s face hardened. Eventually he sighed and gave a shrug.
Richard took another gulp of his ale. ‘Things are hotting up,’ he remarked. ‘First your “accident” in the street and now this. You have annoyed someone.’
‘Hmm!’ Greg nodded, his frown deepening. ‘That was supposed to throw me out under the wheels of any other vehicle in the street.’
Richard shook his head. ‘Father is not going to like this.’
‘He must not know.’ Greg raised a warning finger as Richard seemed about to protest. ‘I shall have a word with Jenkins. Father is just starting to look better. I will not have him made anxious.’
‘Very well,’ said Richard reluctantly, ‘but it seems to me that you need to be extra careful yourself.’ He finished his drink and pushed the tankard back across the bar. ‘Whatever your errand was, I fear you will have to cancel it for the present.’
The brothers went out into the street. Richard glared around as if he expected a gang of hired assassins to be waiting there. Greg had to smile. ‘They do not operate like that,’ he said. ‘No doubt we are being watched but we will act as normal.’
‘I shall return to the Pump Room to keep an eye on Father.’ Richard announced. His hands clenched into fists.
‘If you wish. I doubt if he is in danger: it is me they are after.’
‘But why?’
Greg clapped his brother on the arm. ‘I can think of two possible reasons. Now I must hurry. I want to see the damage – and check on Jupiter!’ he added grimly.
‘Good God, do you think they would harm him?’ Richard was appalled.
‘We must be alert for anything.’ Greg gave Richard a grim nod and strode away towards the Pulteney Bridge. This was a worrying development. He had taken great care over his contact with Josiah Whitby, but perhaps the meeting had been reported. A vast amount of money was at stake as well as the reputations of several high-ranking gentlemen.
Greg knew that any day now there could be a message about the arrival of the cargo ships. He needed to get to the agreed place where the signal would be given to say the convoy had been sighted. Then he would have to keep Lord Percival under close observation.