Page 13

Judith almost smiled.

Sir Lionel did. “I knew your grandfather.”

“My condolences.”

“He was an excellent man.”

“Then perhaps you knew another Baines.”

Sir Lionel laughed again, but Judith did not miss the change in Baines’ eyes when his grandfather was mentioned. It was gone too quickly, however, for her to interpret.

Her uncle pushed several papers across the desk. “This arrived three days ago.”

Baines took the first sheet. Judith knew it immediately: The Edinburgh circular. She had read another copy well before Sir Lionel received his. Her pulse gave one hard beat, though she kept her hands still.

Baines scanned the page, and Judith watched his amusement disappear line by line.

The circular condemned government oppression, criticized the deployment of soldiers, and contained several pieces of information which were not intended to have travelled beyond private rooms.

“Who discussed the Glasgow regiments?” he asked.

Sir Lionel looked uncomfortable. “Beckenham. Cranford. Abernathy. Perhaps Pembroke.”

“Here?”

“In the dining room.”

“When?”

“Three weeks ago.”

Baines lifted his eyes. “Who else was present?”

Sir Lionel waved vaguely. “Everyone.”

Judith suppressed a sigh. Baines looked towards her.

“Miss Finch?” There was no mockery now.

She understood the question. “Lady Beckenham was present, as were Lady Dunsmore and Miss Hammond, Lord Cranford, Mr. Abernathy, Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke, Sir Matthew Greaves, Mr. Salter, Colonel Bosworth and his daughter. My cousins, Edward and Thomas, were also at dinner. Henry was in Edinburgh.”

“You remember every person at the table?”

“I arranged it.”

“Of course.”

Something in the way he said the words irritated her, though she could not decide whether it was admiration or suspicion. Perhaps it was both.

He looked again at the circular. “The servants?”

“Four footmen in attendance throughout dinner, Simmons presiding, and two others assisting between courses.”

“Were any of the servants recently engaged?” he asked.

“One footman came to us in January, but I have already made inquiries.”

That brought his eyes directly to hers.