Deadly Engagement: A Georgian Historical Mystery (Alec Halsey Crimance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

couldn’t find employment with another apothecary?”
    Tam shook his head. “No one would have me after Mr. Dobbs’s name was blackened. That is, no honest man would. And I didn’t want to work for the other kind.”
    “How did you come to be a footman at St. Neots House?”
    “The letter of introduction, sir,” Tam answered simply. “It’s old and worn and written before my time with Mr. Dobbs, but Mrs. Hendy said if ever I got into any bother I was to use it. It’s addressed to you, sir.”
    Alec blinked. “Why?”
    Tam colored painfully. “Mrs. Hendy said if there ever was a person who’d help me out of a scrape it was you, sir. So after what happened to Mr. Dobbs I went to the direction written on the envelope, but that was your old lodgings. The landlord couldn’t or wouldn’t help me. Can’t say I blame him, sir. I was in a right state. But one of the lodgers, who said he was a friend of yours, took pity on me and sent me to St. Neots House. The letter of introduction got me in the door. Shall I get the letter for you, sir?” he asked eagerly.
    “In a moment. This—Mrs. Hendy… Should I know her?”
    “She was sister to Mr. Dobbs’s wife who died, sir. And she was housekeeper at Delvin when your father was Earl. I was born on the estate—”
    “At Delvin ?” Alec interrupted, more confused than ever. He had spent so little time at the ancestral pile in Kent that he was surprised anyone there would know him least of all care to write him a letter of introduction. “Mrs. Hendy should’ve directed the letter to my brother. He is the present Earl.” But as soon as he voiced this private thought he realized his mistake for the boy’s lip began to tremble and the light of expectation in the green eyes was instantly extinguished. Alec smiled reassuringly. “I only meant, as head of the family, Lord Delvin is the one usually applied to by family retainers.”
    Tam was not greatly appeased. “Beggin’ your pardon, sir,” he said sulkily, “but Mrs. Hendy don’t put much faith in his lordship doing right by those under his care.”
    Alec raised his eyebrows at this but refrained from comment, saying as he turned back to face the orderly dressing table, “After breakfast you’d best show me Mrs. Hendy’s letter and we’ll talk some more.”
    Tam beamed. “Thank you, sir. Shall I finish tidying then, sir?”
    Alec frowned at his reflection and then looked beyond at Tam scrambling to gather up clothes from the floor. “Tam… I have a vague memory of being escorted home by the watch.”
    “Yes, sir,” Tam answered cheerfully. “Two of ’em brought you home in a wagon.”
    “Was anyone with me?”
    “Yes, sir. Those three—um—men from the Rose. But Mr. Halsey got rid of ’em quick.”
    “My uncle was here ?”
    Tam nodded as he straightened, arms full of washing, and was about to add that the old man was still in residence when there was a sharp tap on the door and the said gentleman strode in without invitation. The old man had eyes only for his nephew.
    “You’re up then,” Plantagenet Halsey stated gruffly, though a weight seemed to lift from his thin shoulders. “’bout time. Wantage has breakfast on the table. You need to put somethin’ back into that stomach of yours.” He turned his attention to Tam and stared him up and down. “You’re filthy. You want a bath. Good for the soul; good for the spirit.”
    “Uncle, this is Ta—”
    “I know who he is. Found him curled up on your doorstep. Thomas and I have had a good long talk. Tells me he’s from Delvin. Strange how life takes quirky turns. Knew some Fishers there when I was a lad growin’ up on the estate. Blacksmiths. All red-haired like this lad. He also tells me he was apprenticed to an apothecary. Wouldn’t have believed it except I saw him muckin’ about with all sorts of potions and such. He’s a good lad, but he’s filthy.”
    Tam shuffled his feet and hid a smile at such praise behind the bundle of