A Rogue No More - Lana Williams Page 0,37

before Arlingwood’s home in Mayfair.

Within a few short minutes, they were being shown into the library to greet the earl.

“Raybourne.” Arlingwood was a tall man with dark hair and grief-filled eyes.

Thomas bowed as Annabelle curtsied.

“This is Mrs. Tickner, a friend of mine,” Thomas began. “Forgive me for bringing her unannounced, but I believe you might like to hear what she has to say.”

“My husband was murdered several months ago.” Annabelle’s tone held the right amount of grief. “I couldn’t help but notice how similar the report of your brother’s death was compared to his.”

“You have my deep sympathy, madam.” The earl gestured for them to take a seat as he did the same.

“We hoped you might be willing to share a few details of what happened,” Thomas added, hoping to prevent the earl from asking too many questions.

Annabelle nodded but said nothing more, much to Thomas’s relief. The less she spoke the better.

“I’m disappointed the police haven’t discovered any significant clues in the case.” The earl folded his hands on the desk.

“Had your brother mentioned any troubles of late? Any issues that caused him concern?” Thomas asked.

“None that I can remember. It wasn’t unusual for him to be in the area as he visited the docks several times each month. He liked to watch the cargo being loaded and unloaded, saying he wanted to help keep an eye on our investments.” Arlingwood’s lips tightened as if he worked to hold back his sorrow.

“The area can be dangerous.” Thomas paused to see if the lord remembered anything.

“He never mentioned encountering danger before.” The earl stared into the distance for a long moment. “The East India Company made some changes he disagreed with, though that wasn’t unusual. They are a force unto themselves.”

Thomas glanced briefly at Annabelle, certain she’d stiffened at the mention of the East India Company. The powerful company had been formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region but seized control of land as well. Little more than a decade ago, they’d had an army twice the size of Great Britain’s. Rumors abounded of their less than ethical business practices, both at home and abroad, for the trade monopolies they formed.

“Did he say anything specific?” Thomas prompted.

“Only that despite the Company losing its monopoly of trade with India when the Charter Act passed two years ago, they continue to discourage others from trading with the country. He worried that could adversely affect our investments.” The earl shook his head but gave them the name of the dock his brother had visited. To Thomas’s surprise, it was some distance from the place his body had been found.

“I wish I could be of more assistance,” the earl added. “It’s been such a shock.”

“I understand completely,” Annabelle said.

“We won’t take any more of your time.” Thomas stood and offered his hand to Annabelle.

They left the man to his grief and returned to the waiting hackney.

“He mentioned the East India Company,” Thomas began as they settled inside. “Did that mean something to you?”

“As you may know, my father owns a shipping business and the Brunswick Dock,” Annabelle said as she once again tucked the veil on top of her bonnet after the cab rolled away from the residence. “He’s had pressure from the Company to sell in the past two years.”

“I’m certain his isn’t the only business to experience that. As the East India Company is so heavily involved in trade, it’s no surprise they want to control as many parts of the business as possible.”

“Their methods of encouraging others to sell aren’t always scrupulous.”

“When significant sums of money are involved, dealings often become less than honorable.” If there was a chance of the Company being tied to the death, the situation could be even more dangerous than he’d anticipated. Perhaps the publication of the second book should be delayed until the murderer had been arrested.

But he didn’t see how publishing another mystery would affect the murderer’s actions. If the villain ran out of murders to copy from her books, would he pick another author’s book to copy?

“Has your father mentioned anything in recent days about them urging him to sell?”

She hesitated, making him wonder if there was more to the matter. When she turned to look at him, sorrow darkened her eyes. “My father hasn’t been well. He only ventures to the dock a few times a month and is usually accompanied by my sister’s husband, the Earl of Aberland.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Thomas realized he hadn’t seen Sir Reginald in