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“He’s not wrong,” Samantha said. It was indeed an area of expertise from which women were barred. Their only chance of involvement was through nursing or midwifery. To advise on how to cure ailments, prescribe tinctures, or participate in surgeries was impossible for the fairer sex.

“Even so,” Miss Hastings said, “I’d like to keep an open mind.” Her nose twitched when Kendrick expelled additional smoke before putting out his cheroot.

Samantha dipped her chin, suppressing a chuckle, and stood when Adrian prepared to leave only to pause when Kendrick asked them to wait. He crossed to his desk and opened a drawer from which he retrieved a folded piece of paper.

“Since you do seem to have a sense about gathering information, I’ve prepared this document for you to make things easier” Extending his hand, he offered the paper to Adrian. “It authorizes you to question people in the name of Bow Street. Don’t make me regret signing it.”

Adrian took the paper and held Kendrick’s gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you. I’ll be sure to keep you apprised of any progress we make with regard to this case and trust you to do the same.”

Kendrick agreed, upon which Adrian and Samantha bid both him and Miss Hastings farewell before heading back to their carriage.

“You didn’t show him the scrap of burnt paper you found at Islington’s place of residence,” Samantha observed when they were finally homeward bound.

Adrian wound his arm around her and drew her against his side. “What can I say? I like having an ace up my sleeve. Besides, I’m sure the chief constable has his own advantage.”

“There’s Miss Hastings for one,” Samantha muttered. “I’d not be surprised if she’s the one who discovered the similarity between those unsolved cases and the one we’re currently working on.”

“Could be though I would warn you against underestimating Kendrick. Personally, I’m starting to think he had a bit of bad luck where Newton and Lawrence were concerned and that he might not be as bad at his job as we think.”

“His helping you avoid your execution is certainly a point in his favor.”

“Only one?” Adrian’s hold on her tightened.

She chuckled and angled her head toward his, so she met his dark gaze from beneath the brim of her bonnet. “I suppose he also made sure your name was cleared so you could return home.”

“With you,” Adrian said before pressing a tender kiss to her lips.

“Very well. I’ll grant the man one more point. Two in total, but not a fraction more.” Not that she meant it. In all honesty, she owed Kendrick a debt so enormous she worried she’d never be able to pay it.

“I’ll be sure to reflect on the strictness with which you hand out rewards later. Just to be sure I make enough of an effort.”

Humor spilled through her as she kissed him once more. She loved how easily he could make her melt, that simmering heat he encouraged with words, and the fact that he always followed through on his wicked suggestions.

As far as she was concerned, they could not retire to their bedchamber soon enough.

Reaching home, however, she quickly realized all notions of bedsport would be delayed, though not for an unpleasant reason.

Indeed, she could not have been more pleased by someone’s unexpected arrival than she was by Murry’s.

* * *

“Good God,” Adrian said, spotting the servant whom Elks had told to wait in the parlor. “You’ve returned.”

Murry stood near the fireplace. He looked as though he’d been forced to drag himself across half of England.

His angular features softened in response to Adrian’s comment.

“Nearly hopped on a boat to France in order to meet you as we’d agreed.

When I overheard a bit of chatter about your return to London, I turned full circle and came straight back. ”

“Damned fortunate.” Adrian extended his hand and Murry shook it. The pair had always been more than master and servant. Though Edward was like a brother to Adrian, Murry was his true confidant. He not only knew of Adrian’s more questionable dealings but also helped undertake them when needed.

“We’re glad to have you home,” Samantha said.

Murry sent her a nod. “It’s good to be home, Mrs. Croft.”

“Have you not received any sustenance?” she asked, alerting Adrian to the fact that there wasn’t a teacup or plate in sight.

“Not yet, though not because Elks didn’t offer. I gather Cook has prepared a meal for me in the kitchen. I simply wanted to wait up here a while longer. Make sure I had a chance to see you as soon as you arrived.”

“I appreciate the gesture,” Adrian told him. “Now that we’ve spoken, I insist you eat. You must be both famished and exhausted after your journey. How long did it take you?”

“Five days. I had to walk much of the way.” Murry allowed Adrian to steer him toward the door. “Have you heard from Ward or Turner?”

The two men who answered to Murry had helped Samantha secure Adrian’s freedom. But when they’d been on the run together, they’d decided it might be best to split up since the authorities would be looking for a group of five people.

Adrian and Samantha had headed east along the beach while Murry, Turner, and Ward had taken the road.

“Not yet,” Adrian said.

“There’s also this,” Elks said once Murry had headed below stairs. The butler held a silver salver toward Adrian, who snatched up the missive it contained. “Arrived about two hours ago.”

“Thank you. If it’s not too much trouble, we’d like to have dinner as soon as possible. It’s been a long day.”

“Certainly, sir. I’ll inform the kitchen.”

Elks departed and Adrian tore the seal.

“What is it?” Samantha asked.

Confusion settled deep in Adrian’s gut when he read the first line, but it soon transformed into deep concern as he continued.

“A suggestion,” he muttered, even as the page shook between his fingers. God help him, but this was like having the air forced out of his lungs. He sucked in a breath and felt his heart beat with near-painful force.

“May I see?”

“I…” He raised his gaze to meet Samantha’s and found the stability he required.

It grounded him and allowed him to draw on a stronger emotion than the shock that had caught him so bloody unaware.

Chest tightening in response to the anger building inside him, he thrust the paper in her direction and went to pour himself a drink.

The crystal stopper scraped against the decanter’s opening as he removed it. Liquid splashed into an awaiting tumbler. Behind him, paper rustled. And then…

“This is unsigned.”

He sipped his drink and savored the heat it produced as it slid down his throat. “What does that tell you?”

“Obviously that the sender wishes to stay anonymous.”

“And the message?”

“I don’t know. The suggestion for us to take a closer look at The Royal College of Surgeons is certainly disconcerting under the circumstances.

As if the sender knows the killer we’re seeking belongs to the medical profession.

Perhaps it’s another surgeon or physician who wishes to remain anonymous? ”

“Or,” Adrian said, turning to face her, “this has come from the man who orchestrated Evie’s death.”

Samantha stared at him, her lips slightly parted. “What makes you think that?”

Despite the lack of evidence, it was more than a gut feeling he realized.

“We know whoever had a hand in her murder must be someone important. A person with the sort of connections and money required to frame an innocent person. Access to Marsdale’s home was needed in order to do so.

Knowledge of the property’s layout. It…cannot have been accomplished by simply anyone.

“Plus, our theory about the motivation aligns perfectly with this missive’s purpose.”

“By having Evie killed, they made sure you embraced your heritage,” Samantha said, echoing the idea they’d discussed several times before.

“That you would remain in London rather than carve out that peaceful life you’d hoped for after your father’s death.

They pushed you into becoming the very thing you’d no wish to be; a brutal enforcer capable of doing what Bow Street cannot. ”

“So you see,” Adrian said. “It makes perfect sense for them to guide me in my hunt. As they appear to be doing with this suggestion. Forget the fact that we already know we’re looking for a physician or a surgeon. A far more interesting question is how did they?”

Samantha held his gaze with unwavering steadiness. “They must have been made aware of the case, which I suppose could have happened if Chief Magistrate Hastings briefed others about it. Any number of high-ranking individuals could have been present.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question.” Adrian dropped his gaze to the glass in his hand. “What would lead anyone who’s not a part of this investigation to suspect The Royal College of Surgeons of possibly housing a murderer?”

“Maybe they’re part of the surgical body?”

Adrian downed the remainder of his drink in one swift gulp and winced in response to the bite.

Returning to the side table, he poured himself another measure.

“I can think of several such people. Individuals of high rank who serve as protectors, providing funds that support the college’s efforts.

But there is one among them who stands out above the rest.”

“And who would that be?”

Gripping the crystal tumbler, he glanced toward his wife. “Wrengate.”