Page 39 of In the Midnight Hour

“Thank you for that frank reminder.” North took a rather large drink of brandy.

“What is your connection to Lady Cartwright?” Harry asked. “You said you barely knew her, but that can’t be true anymore since you just admitted to helping her. Are you lovers?”

North hadn’t yet swallowed and had to work not to sputter liquor as he reacted to the question. He coughed the brandy down.

“I’ve struck a nerve,” Harry murmured.

When North cleared his airway, he glared at his brother. “You’ve asked a ridiculous question. I only made her acquaintance a handful of days ago.”

“Forgive me, but I’m not sure that’s stopped you before. I seem to recall a certain house party some years ago when you⁠—”

“Enough,” North snapped, holding up his hand. “No, we aren’t lovers. We aren’t even friends.” According to Hypatia.

“And yet, you were here with her earlier today, and then after the search concluded, the two of you called on the Clavertons—in your coach.”

North goggled at him. “Did you have someone follow us?”

“Not you—Lady Cartwright. She left right after the search of her house, and Drummond wanted to know where she was going.” Harry leaned forward slightly, his gaze holding North’s. “Do you understand what’s at stake here? She could be a murderer.”

“She’s not,” North said firmly. “I believe the Clavertons have a much clearer motive. They were disinherited and lost a great fortune that they could have dearly used. They live rather meanly in Islington. After speaking with both Miss Claverton and Mr. Claverton, I strongly believe they’re concealing something. Miss Claverton was able to very specifically describe the missing necklace, which is an astonishing feat considering she saw it just once almost twenty years ago. She also spoke of the necklace in the present tense, almost as if she had it in her possession.”

“Drummond searched their house thoroughly. It wasn’t there, nor were any of the other missing items,” Harry said.

“What about Claverton’s office in Barnard’s Inn?” North asked. “Did you search there?”

Harry frowned. “We can’t look through private client information, so any search of his office would be inadequate.”

“So you aren’t going to bother at all.” North scoffed.

“Not at this time. We’re focused on Lady Cartwright—with good reason.” Harry regarded North intently. “Drummond interviewed her maid, Colby. She corroborated Lady Cartwright’s testimony that she arrived home just after midnight. She also said Lady Cartwright was shaken, though the maid didn’t know why. She didn’t care to speculate but said it was unusual.”

North’s stomach twisted. That had to be related to whatever Hypatia was keeping to herself. Apparently, she hadn’t even told her maid. Unless her maid had withheld that information from Drummond.

“I find it odd that Lady Cartwright didn’t leave through the front door as she usually did,” Harry continued. “Amos, the footman, allegedly falls asleep regularly. This can’t be the first time she’s left Sir Radnor’s whilst the footman was sleeping.”

Dammit, North hated that Harry made sense.

“Drummond intends to summon Lady Cartwright to Marlborough Street for further questioning. He’d considered doing so tomorrow, but I told him she would likely attend the funerary events.” Harry took another drink of brandy whilst North’s insides churned.

Hypatia was out of time. What was she hiding? Was there a chance she could have killed Sir Radnor? What if she’d done it with good reason? Except, she would have told the truth about that. Wouldn’t she?

“Will you warn her?” Harry asked.

“Are you asking me not to?” North countered.

Exhaling, Harry shook his head. “I’m in search of the truth—in justice for Sir Radnor. What are you seeking?”

The question took North off guard. That had been his initial goal. He didn’t believe Sir Radnor had died of an accidental fall. But he also didn’t believe that Hypatia had murdered him.

“As I’ve said, I’m interested in the truth and in justice,” North said carefully. “I maintain that Lady Cartwright is innocent. I’m not going to abandon her in her time of need to protect your reputation. Which I don’t even think is necessary, by the way.”

“I hope she appreciates your stalwart support.” Harry finished his brandy and stood. His gaze flicked over North with something that was almost pity but also frustration. He thought North was being a fool. “Be careful. I’d hate for Drummond to have to bring you in for an interview too.”

North bristled. “Are you threatening me if I don’t walk away from this matter?”

“Not at all. I’m cautioning you against championing Lady Cartwright at any cost.”

“That’s not what I’m doing.” Except, he rather was.