A Fatal Assignation (The Rutherford Trilogy Book 2) Read online

  ‘Yes, oh, yes! Is it not dreadful? And I don’t at all know what to do, my dear Cassandra,’ said Lady Jermyn, going through the motions of what is generally called wringing the hands.

  ‘You’re quite certain that,’ said Lady Quainton, delicately, ‘there is no little — ah — peccadillo — to account for his absence? Gentlemen sometimes — you’ll pardon me for presuming on a long friendship to suggest such a thing, I’m sure — do stray from the straight and narrow path, vanishing from their homes mysteriously for a little while?’

  Her friend flushed uncomfortably. ‘He has never before gone anywhere without letting me know where he may be found, or without taking Preston, his valet. I know what you mean, and I am not saying that there may not have been instances when — but, in short, he has never absented himself in this way before.’

  Lady Quainton reflected that after all there were ample opportunities for gentlemen to pursue extra-marital relationships without being so blatant about it as to disappear without warning.

  ‘You could go to the magistrates at Bow Street,’ she suggested. ‘It is a part of their business to find missing persons of the Quality.’

  Lady Jermyn exclaimed in horror. ‘Oh, no! It would inevitably start a scandal if official inquiries were set on foot! And should Aubrey return with some perfectly ordinary reason for his absence, nothing would infuriate him more than to find I had made a stir! Of all things, he abominates fuss of any kind!’

  ‘So do most gentlemen. But you cannot go on like this, Amelia, worrying yourself to death until he chooses to let you know where he is. Some discreet inquiries must be made, and I think I know the very person to carry them out to perfection, could I but persuade him to interest himself in the affair. Let me explain a little.’

  CHAPTER 2

  On that same morning, the Honourable Justin Rutherford had returned to his bachelor rooms in Albemarle Street after an absence of more than a month spent in pursuing his antiquarian interests.

  His rumpled dark hair, negligently tied cravat and casual style of dress suggested neither the prosy antiquary nor the fashionable sprig of the ton. Nevertheless, he had published a book on the antiquities of Greece a few years since which had earned him academic respect; and he was known to defend the seventh Earl of Elgin’s action in bringing to England priceless sculptures from the ancient Greek temple, the Parthenon, so that they might be preserved from the depredations of the Turks who were in power there.

  As for fashion, his tailoring was good and he could look presentable enough when he chose. But although he took an interest in most sporting pursuits, rarely did he grace the drawing rooms of the ton. Matchmaking mamas had more or less given him up, but still gilt edged invitation cards continued to arrive regularly.

  He was gazing at a pile of these now, in some dismay, when a welcome interruption occurred.

  ‘Lady Quainton has called, sir,’ announced his man, Selby.

  Justin tossed the cards aside, closed the lid of the bureau, and rose to his feet.

  ‘Splendid!’ he exclaimed. ‘Pray admit her at once.’

  Lady Quainton appeared, elegant as always, in a walking dress of grey silk and a tall crowned bonnet with ostrich plumes. He took a quick step towards her, both arms outstretched.

  ‘You’re quick off the mark, Godmama!’ he exclaimed, giving her a filial hug. ‘I’ve been home scarce half a day! Not bad news, I trust, that brings you hotfoot?’

  She returned his embrace warmly. ‘No, no, my dear Justin, nothing of the kind. But I did feel that perhaps I should lose no time in seeing you, for you’re so elusive, you might be off to the other side of the universe before I could put on my bonnet.’

  He regarded her quizzically, indicating that she should be seated.

  ‘Sounds dashed smoky to me,’ he said, with a grin. ‘I’d lay any odds you’ve something in mind for me to do. Confess it, now — but first, what shall I order for you? Tea, coffee, ratafia, lemonade? How vastly agreeable it is to see you, when I was about to spend a dreary hour with my accumulated correspondence. What will you take, ma’am?’

  ‘Nothing, I thank you, for it’s not long since I was taking coffee with Amelia Jermyn,’ she answered. Then, quickly adopting the direct approach which she knew he favoured — ‘That’s what I wished to see you about, Justin. Poor Amelia’s almost beside herself with worry — her husband’s disappeared. He walked out of the house on Monday morning, and has not been seen since.’

  Justin raised his brows. ‘Jermyn? I know the fellow by sight, of course — one of Prinney’s set, ain’t he? Odd fish, many of ’em — not much in my style. In what way did you suppose I might advise?’

  She gave him a sideways look.

  ‘Well, I did hope — that’s to say, it seemed to me you are the very person to discover what’s befallen him without creating the kind of scandal my friend so much dreads. And rightly, for so would I, in her place.’

  ‘There’s usually one quite simple explanation for a disappearance of that kind, dear ma’am,’ answered Justin, with a wry twist of his lips.

  ‘I know, but Amelia insists that her husband has never before absented himself without leaving word where he may be found, or, indeed, without taking his valet. One knows from gossip that he has a roving eye, but it’s plain from what she tells me that he doesn’t conduct his liaisons in that headlong style. There can be no doubt that he has vanished into thin air, so to speak; and, knowing how a mystery intrigues you, I thought of you at once.’

  Curiosity being also an integral part of the academic mind, Justin had his fair share, like his niece Anthea. He gave a considering frown.

  ‘Two other possible explanations, then. The first is what happened to the unfortunate Brummell a few weeks since — flight to France to escape creditors.’

  ‘Oh, no, nothing of that kind! Jermyn is tolerably plump in the pocket, as anyone may see. No expense spared either in the Town house or at Wynsfield, his Sussex residence, and Amelia and Charlotte always turned out in the first style of elegance! He’s a regular devotee of the Turf and the tables, with never a hint of financial embarrassments.’

  ‘Hm.’ In spite of himself, Justin’s interest was beginning to be engaged. ‘An accident to someone as well-known as a member of Prinney’s set would of course be quickly reported. But just suppose it wasn’t an ordinary kind of accident? There was a fellow officer in Spain, once, when I was out there with Wellington — he took a crack on the pate and lost all account of himself for several days. Odd circumstance, but the medicos seemed familiar with it. Not that I favour an explanation of so dramatic a kind — bound to be a simpler one.’

  She looked thoughtful. ‘Now that does seem within the bounds of possibility, dramatic or no. But surely if such a mischance should have occurred, he would be wandering about where someone would be certain to recognise him? As you say, he’s a well-known member of the ton, and that’s a small world, after all.’

  ‘He may not be wandering loose,’ murmured Justin, frowning. ‘There are a number of other possibilities —’ He broke off. ‘The thing would be, to discover when and where he was last seen, and by whom. But I’m not at all sure that I wish to meddle,’ he added. ‘It would mean a deuced lot of prying into the fellow’s private concerns — he’d scarce thank me, if he turned up in the end all right and tight, which I dare say he may do.’

  Lady Quainton rested an urgent hand on his sleeve for a moment.

  ‘That’s precisely what prevents Amelia Jermyn from appealing to Bow Street, a course which I suggested to her. But if the situation continues, it may come to that, and she certainly feels that it would be more agreeable to have one of her husband’s own social standing to make inquiries.’

  ‘Then why not one of his intimate friends?’

  ‘Ah, well, you see, she made an unfortunate blunder in that regard. She did it for the best, as one often does. When one of his friends came asking for him the day after he disappeared, she said he’d been sent for to their property
in Sussex on urgent business. She is not very closely acquainted with any of his particular set, so dislikes the notion of telling them the truth and asking for their help. She would even prefer a comparative stranger, like yourself, odd though you may think it. Though, after all,’ she mused, ‘it’s extraordinary how people frequently do confide in total strangers. Especially when travelling.’

  Justin nodded. ‘Noticed it myself. Well, since you insist, you may take me to call on the lady, and we’ll see what transpires. I make no promises, mind.’

  ‘Oh, by the way,’ added Lady Quainton, as she rose. ‘I forgot to mention that she has a most charming niece by marriage who is Jermyn’s ward. Her name is Charlotte, and so far she is unattached, though I understand her uncle has been trying to promote a match between her and Escott.’

  ‘Escott — that ancient roué?’ demanded Justin scornfully. ‘How old is she, then, this female? Is she an antidote?’

  ‘I told you,’ replied Lady Quainton, with some indignation, ‘she’s a vastly attractive girl of Anthea’s age, or thereabouts. But you’ll meet her for yourself, and then you may judge.’

  Justin caught her eye, and she looked a little conscious. He laughed and flicked her cheek with his finger.

  ‘Oh, Godmama, when will you give up matchmaking on my behalf?’ he quizzed.

  Nevertheless, he had to admit to himself later that Miss Charlotte Jermyn was, in the slang phraseology, very well to pass. Blue-eyed blondes were by no means uncommon, but they did tend to have vapid expressions. This one possessed a pert little nose, a sparkle in her eye and a humorous mouth. His eyes met hers in a glance of open appreciation as they were introduced.

  For her part, she was somewhat intrigued by this alert looking gentleman who wore his good tailoring with an easy air and whose manner, though never seeking to impress and at times bordering on the flippant, yet conveyed a sense of assurance and quiet authority. She stole a second glance at him under her eyelids. He was not exactly handsome, she reflected, but he had an interesting, attractive face.

  Somewhat to her chagrin, he caught her scrutiny and responded with a half grin.

  ‘It’s odd that we’ve never chanced to meet before, Mr Rutherford,’ said Lady Jermyn, ‘since I’m acquainted with your relatives, Viscount and Lady Rutherford.’

  ‘And Anthea’s a friend of mine,’ put in Charlotte, before he could answer. ‘I collect she must be your —’ She paused, struck by the incongruity of it — ‘your niece?’

  He gave a broad smile. ‘Absurd, is it not? But I promise you she shows me scant respect — not that I look for any.’

  She laughed softly, and he thought her enchanting.

  ‘Your years are at fault, sir. Now, if you were a greybeard —’

  He joined in her laughter for a moment, before turning to Lady Jermyn in a more sober mood.

  ‘You won’t encounter me about Town a great deal, ma’am. I live a somewhat nomadic life, I fear. But I collect that at present you’re seriously disturbed by your husband’s unexplained absence, and would like me to try what I can discover in that regard?’

  She clasped her hands together in a gesture of supplication.

  ‘Oh, if only you would, I should be forever in your debt! Cassandra — that is, your godmother — says you are very clever at solving mysteries, and indeed I have heard something myself —’

  She broke off and shuddered, evidently reluctant to follow such a melancholy train of thought as the late Marmaduke Yarnton’s murder.

  ‘I am persuaded that something unusual must have befallen him,’ she continued, ‘for otherwise he would never leave me in ignorance of his whereabouts in this heartless way! At the same time, I don’t wish to bring officials into the matter, for if in the end it turns out to be nothing, he would be prodigiously vexed!’

  Justin nodded. ‘I quite understand, and need scarce say that I’d be happy to serve you, Lady Jermyn. But I would first like you to consider that any kind of inquiry may possibly stray into personal concerns which could distress either your husband or yourself. Obviously, it would be better in the hands of a male relative rather than an outsider like myself. I collect from Lady Quainton that you don’t care to ask any of your husband’s friends, but is there no one else?’

  ‘No, there is no one.’ Lady Jermyn’s lips trembled. ‘My husband’s brother — Charlotte’s father — is dead, and I have no close relatives on my side. I have indeed considered everything you say, sir, and it can make no difference, for I can no longer go on in this way! The uncertainty is killing me by inches!’

  She bowed her head in her hands, giving way to her grief. Charlotte was beside her in an instant, enfolding her in loving arms and turning an eloquent look of pleading upon Justin.

  ‘Pray do consent to help us, sir! We realise that we are asking a prodigious favour, for why should you embroil yourself in our concerns, unconnected with us as you are? But we would be so vastly grateful — oh, I don’t know how to find the right words — but please — please!’

  She sounded like a small child in deep trouble; and her countenance was even lovelier, he thought, when touched by emotion.

  He smiled gently. ‘How could I possibly refuse, ma’am? I should be a veritable monster! Very well, I’ll do my possible.’

  ‘Oh, thank you, thank you!’ she exclaimed, with sparkling eyes.

  ‘Possibly when Lady Jermyn is more composed,’ he said quietly, ‘I might put a few questions to you both? Lady Quainton has already repeated to me everything which was confided to her, but it’s always valuable to have a first-hand account. And if neither of you ladies would object, I’d prefer to question you separately. It’s important to have unprompted recollections, as I believe you’ll readily see.’

  Charlotte nodded, quick to understand, as he had known she would be. Once she and Lady Quainton had soothed Lady Jermyn into a more equable state of mind, they both withdrew to the far end of the drawing room, out of earshot though not out of sight, so that Justin might converse with her alone.

  A few tactful questions soon showed him that there was nothing new to be learnt from her. Jermyn had left home on Monday morning with the declared intention of going to White’s and of dining later in the day with the Prince Regent. It was now Friday, and nothing had been heard of him.

  He thanked Lady Jermyn and she rose to sit at the other end of the room beside Lady Quainton, Charlotte taking her place opposite Justin.

  He regarded Miss Jermyn in silence for several minutes, until she raised her eyebrows at him quizzically. He seemed to be deep in thought; but in reality he was appreciating the charming picture she presented in her white muslin gown sprigged with tiny pink rosebuds, and the pink ribbon threaded through her yellow curls.

  He coughed slightly, jerking himself out of this pleasant reverie to the business at hand.

  ‘I’d like you to be frank with me if you will, Miss Jermyn,’ he began. ‘Have you any notion at all as to where your uncle may be? I can quite see that there could be reasons why you should keep any such surmises from Lady Jermyn, but unless I can have your full confidence, it will be difficult for me to assist you.’

  She nodded. ‘Yes, of course I realise that, Mr Rutherford, and therefore I’ll say in confidence what I would otherwise be unwilling to mention. The truth is that my aunt and uncle have little in common, and merely try to support the usual observances of marriage. Possibly there’s nothing so unusual in that,’ she put in, cynically. ‘But it’s certainly true that he does always inform her of his absences from home, even if he doesn’t trouble himself to state exactly where he’s going. He has never stayed away before like this.’

  ‘And you can’t hazard a guess as to where he may be?’

  She hesitated for a moment, avoiding his eyes, then she tilted her chin and faced him resolutely.

  ‘Not precisely, no. But wherever he may be, I’ll be bound there’s a female concerned! There, you asked for frankness,’ she concluded, defiantly, ‘and now you have it. Doub
tless you think me vastly improper, and undutiful into the bargain, but if you desire the truth, that cannot be helped!’

  ‘No such thing,’ he replied, smiling at her in a disarming way. ‘On the contrary, I am grateful that you found the courage to speak your mind. You cannot go further, and suggest a likely place, or a — particular companion?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, but I cannot help you there. Do you suppose —’ her expression sobered — ‘that something untoward can have happened to him? It seems so very unlike him to have broken an engagement to dine with the Prince Regent — I need scarce tell you that no one dares behave in that way! And moreover, he is one of the Prince’s close circle. I must admit that I have no particular fondness for my uncle — he has never shown the least consideration for me, and of late he’s been trying to force me into a hateful marriage! But all the same, for my aunt’s sake, I wouldn’t wish him to come to any harm.’

  ‘Do you know of anyone who might wish him harm, Miss Rutherford?’

  She considered this for a moment.

  ‘Well, no,’ she said, slowly. ‘At least, unless the husbands of some of his inamoratas — but that is too melodramatic! He may have enemies, but not to that degree!’

  He nodded. No need to embarrass her by asking for names; he could doubtless obtain the information from his godmother, who always knew the Town gossip.

  He thanked her, and reluctantly turned away to ask Lady Jermyn if he might interview the valet.

  ‘I’d prefer to see him on his own ground, ma’am, if you don’t object,’ he said. ‘Perhaps in your husband’s dressing room?’

  She looked surprised but agreed, and soon Preston was confronting him in the small room which led off Sir Aubrey Jermyn’s bedchamber.

  ‘I understand that Sir Aubrey left the house on Monday with the intention of going to White’s Club,’ began Justin. ‘Did he positively state this?’