Reid said softly, “I can’t think of many reasons a wealthy man might gift someone with something as substantial as a house.” He paused, then added, “Is opening this up wise, your grace? You’ve always been so… careful about these things.”
“I used to be less careful,” Henry admitted. “I knew Christopher when I lived in London, when the children were very young and Caroline”—he broke off—“well, she was content for me to suit myself.”
“And you were… less careful with this Christopher?”
Henry ran his hands over his face, unable to meet Reid’s gaze. “Yes. I met him at a rather scandalous party that a friend took me to. It was at a very discreet, very exclusive brothel called the Golden Lily. I wanted Christopher from the moment I set eyes on him.” He gave hopeless laugh. “Hell, I completely lost my head over him. I told the madam I wanted to become his protector that very night.” He sighed. “I’d never done anything like that before.”
Reid’s eyebrows rose. “So, you set him up like a mistress?”
Henry looked up at that and snorted. “Aside from the one obvious difference, yes.”
Reid’s mouth quirked. “And what was the arrangement you fixed upon?”
“I purchased the house for him—furnished, of course—and staffed it, and he received a monthly stipend besides. When we parted ways, there was to be a severance payment and the house was to be made over to him.”
“And part ways you did.”
Henry nodded. “Before the end of our contract. Caroline had fallen ill by then. She wanted me to give up Christopher and take her back to Wiltshire so we could spend her last months together. I couldn’t refuse her.”
Reid’s gaze was sympathetic. “And how did your Christopher react?”
Shame drenched Henry. “In all honesty, I don’t know. It was all very sudden. Caroline insisted we leave town immediately and I’d made her a promise…” He trailed off, his gut twisting unpleasantly. “In short, I wrote Christopher a letter giving him the news and gave it to Parkinson to deliver in person, along with instructions to have the house made over and the money paid.”
“Ah,” Reid said, heavily. “And now you have discovered that Parkinson didn’t carry out your instructions.”
Henry closed his eyes. “It would seem not. Well, at least not in relation to the house. I’m hoping he at least honoured the severance payment.”
And delivered the letter.
“How much was that payment to be?”
Henry raised his head and met Reid’s curious gaze. “Three hundred pounds.”
Reid’s eyes widened and he whistled, low. “And the house? You did lose your head.”
I lost my heart, Henry thought.
But he didn’t say that aloud.
Reid looked thoughtful. “It seems to me more likely than not that the severance payment was made. If you’d broken the agreement entirely, surely Christopher or the madam would have kicked up a stink?”
“That’s what I thought,” Henry said. “After I went to Wiltshire I heard nothing more from Christopher. Not a thing. But then, why not make a stink about the house? That was part of the agreement too.”
Reid frowned. “Without knowing what Parkinson said to this Christopher, I don’t think you can make any assumptions. Perhaps Parkinson offered him more money instead? Have you asked Christopher?”
Henry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “He has refused to meet with me. I only learned he had not received the house through a chance meeting with a mutual acquaintance. Otherwise I would never have known.”
“So, what will you do now?”
“Try to find Christopher for myself,” Henry said. “I was hoping you might assist me with that.”
“Of course.” Reid nodded. “What’s his full name? I can make enquiries.”
“Christopher Redford.”
“Redford?” Reid’s gaze was sharp, almost disbelieving. “Not Kit Redford?”
Slowly, Henry said, “Do you know him?”
“Not well, but I know of him,” Reid replied. “Your Christopher is the owner of an exclusive club for gentlemen of our persuasion. Redford’s on Palfrey Terrace.”
Henry gawked at him.
Reid said, almost apologetically, “I’m a member myself.”
“Does he live there? At Palfrey Terrace?” Henry asked.
“I’m not sure, but that’s something I can soon find out. Let me look into it and I’ll send a note over in the morning.” He paused, then added quietly, “If you’re sure that’s what you want.”
“I’m sure,” Henry said quickly.
Reid’s gaze was sympathetic. “It’s worth giving some thought to,” he said gently. “These events took place a very long time ago, and in all the years that have followed, no trouble has come your way. Is it prudent to stir