The Piccadilly Plot by Susanna Gregory Page A

ample girth and double chins. That morning he was clad in the sumptuous robes
     that marked him as the country’s Lord Chancellor, and a yellow wig reached almost to his waist. Chaloner regarded him in astonishment,
     wondering what he wore at state functions if he attired himself so elaborately when at leisure.
    ‘Chaloner has donned his best clothes for you today, father,’ said Hyde slyly.
    ‘I know you have been obliged to lurk at my mansion since you came home,’ said the Earl, eyeing his intelligencer disapprovingly,
     ‘but Henry is right. Must you dress so shabbily? You look like a ruffian.’
    ‘It rained all last night, sir,’ Chaloner started to explain. ‘And—’
    ‘Never mind that,’ interrupted the Earl impatiently. ‘I ordered you to come here without delay, but Dugdale says you ran off
     on another errand.’
    ‘Well, he is here now,’ said Frances soothingly. ‘And I applaud his actions. Would you have had him leave poor Cave in the
     street, like so much rubbish? He did the decent thing.’
    ‘If you say so, dear.’ The Earl’s voice said he did not agree, but knew better than to argue.
    ‘Poor Cave,’ said Brodrick. ‘Did you ever hear him sing, cousin? It was the stuff of Heaven, and his voice will be sorely
     missed. I was only remarking to Lady Castle—’ He cleared his throat uncomfortably, ‘—to a friend last night that the Chapel
     Royal choir has been much improved since he came home.’
    ‘I have often heard him sing,’ said Frances, as the Earl, who had not missed Brodrick’s slip of the tongue, frowned his puzzlement
     at it. ‘Did his killer escape, or is he arrested?’
    ‘He escaped, but not before Cave stabbed him,’ supplied Dugdale. ‘I had asked Chaloner to prevent violence, but I am afraid
     he failed rather miserably.’
    Frances regarded him coolly. ‘Did he indeed! Then why did
you
not intervene instead?’
    Dugdale regarded her uneasily. ‘Because I am not qualified to meddle in street brawls, My Lady. I am a gentleman.’
    ‘A gentleman who claims to have fought for the King during the wars,’ pressed Frances. ‘So you cannot be a total stranger
     to weapons.’
    Chaloner watched Dugdale squirm, and found himself liking Frances even more. Of course, Dugdale was likelyto remember the humiliation she had inflicted on him, but it would not be her who would pay the price. It would be Chaloner,
     for witnessing it. The Earl clapped his hands suddenly, causing Brodrick to wince and put a hand to his head.
    ‘We have wasted enough time this morning, so I recommend we get down to business. Go and stand outside, Dugdale, and ensure
     we are not interrupted.’
    ‘You want me to leave?’ asked Dugdale in disbelief. ‘But I …’
    He trailed off when his master pointed to the still-open door. He struggled up from the stool and bowed, although the glance
     he shot at Chaloner said he was seething. Chaloner, meanwhile, was uneasy. Surely his Tangier report could be of no interest
     to Frances, Hyde and Brodrick? His disquiet intensified when Hyde followed Dugdale to the door, to ensure his father’s instructions
     were being followed, and then locked it before joining the group at the hearth.
    ‘We learned something terrible this morning, Chaloner,’ whispered the Earl, once his son had taken the stool Dugdale had vacated.
     ‘The most dreadful plot …’
    ‘He wants you to investigate,’ said Hyde. He glared at his father. ‘Although I am more than capable of solving the case, and
     so is Brodrick. There is no need to involve outsiders.’
    ‘I am sure you can, dear,’ said Frances. ‘But we are talking about a man’s life, and Mr Chaloner has skills and experience
     that you do not. It would be unethical not to seek his assistance.’
    ‘How may I help?’ asked Chaloner, thinking that a ‘most dreadful plot’ and saving someone’s life sounded a lot more interesting
     than watching piles of bricks.
    ‘There is a plan afoot to murder