Donner and Mr. George, to do more than ogle the ladies.” She nodded to where the two younger men were lounging in chairs near the windows, watching a set of Newcomer sisters who were promenading with their mother.
Abigail turned her gaze to the welcome book instead. “I know Jesslyn was being cautious of Newcomers. Anyone who arrived in the last fortnight could be suspect.”
“Mr. Donner and Mr. George included,” Mrs. Tully declared.
Eva wrinkled her nose as if she could not imagine the two dandies involved, then dropped her gaze to the book as well. “That’s at least two dozen people.”
“We should interrogate them,” Mrs. Tully said. “Ferret out their secrets. I’m sure the fairies will help.”
Eva put a hand on her arm. “I have a more important task for you. Will you play for us? It will distract the French from our intentions.”
“They won’t suspect a thing,” she vowed before marching herself to the harpsichord. She spread her purple skirts to sit, and a sonata sprang from her fingers.
“Well done,” Abigail told Eva. “Now, about these interrogations…”
“Polite inquiries,” Eva amended.
“You may be polite if you like,” Abigail said. “Just rule out the females. Linus seemed certain he was kidnapped by men. That leaves us with eleven. If you take five and I take six, we can question each and determine whether more drastic action is needed.”
Eva agreed, and they put their plan into place that very morning.
Abigail made sure to start with Mr. Donner. The handsome brunette had moved closer to the chessboard, where Mrs. Harding was watching Mr. Crabapple take on the Admiral.
“Plotting strategy?” she asked the Newcomer.
Donner smiled at her. “Always. A gentleman could learn a great deal from watching more seasoned campaigners.”
Indeed he could. “Forgive me, sir, but I don’t recall which part of England you call home.”
“London,” he said readily. “Is that not where all the best people reside?”
Convenient answer. Arrogant too. She rather thought some of the best people resided in Grace-by-the-Sea. “And your family? Have they some fine estate in the country?”
His face tightened. “No, Miss Archer. They do not.”
“Ahem.” The Admiral affixed them both with a steely-eyed look. “We are attempting to wage war here. A little quiet would be preferable.”
Abigail curtsied and returned to the welcome desk. Donner had proven more slippery than she had expected. All she could say she knew about him was that he had decided to prolong his stay. He might be a French agent, or merely an impoverished member of the gentry determined to pretend to more. These interrogations were decidedly tricky.
She had a little more success with Mr. George. Once approached, he was happy to converse with her. In a few minutes, she learned that was from nearby Wiltshire and had loving parents and six charming sisters. She had thought his friendship with Mr. Donner of long duration, but he admitted they had struck up an acquaintance on the stage on the way to the spa. As for Mr. George, he had come with hopes of acquiring a better connection to Society at lesser expense than traveling to London.
Doctor Owens regaled her with stories of the patients he’d treated, some with rather stomach-turning ailments, before she found a way to escape. The other three gentlemen she attempted to question were more interested in flirting than direct conversation. Eva fared no better.
“As innocent as the day is long,” she lamented as she and Abigail regrouped at the welcome desk.
The best they could do was be watchful. Linus had appointments with patients for the first two hours, all female, so it was simple enough to ensure no Newcomer approached him. As the morning wore on, however, he came out of the examining rooms and mingled more with the guests. He spoke at some length with Mr. Crabapple, Lord Featherstone, and the Admiral. Mrs. Tully put herself in his path and shook her finger at him. Abigail was about to effect a rescue when Doctor Owens pulled him aside for a private word. Linus’s gaze veered to Abigail. She stood straighter under it. He excused himself from his colleague with a nod and came to join her.
“I have been told you are badgering the guests,” he said, though his smile was amused. “I find that unlikely given how hard you and Eva work to keep the spa running well while Mrs. Denby is away. What are you up to, Abigail?”
“Only doing my duty,” Abigail said. “If there is a French agent watching you, it stands to reason he must