Secrets of the Heart (40 page)

Ravensmoore bowed slightly. “Of course, Your Royal Highness. Whatever I can do. But I suggest you sit down before you fall ill.”

The other lords in the room nodded. Some paced with their hands behind their backs. Two looked out the windows to the gardens below. Others sat in chairs with exhausted expressions on their faces.

“Yes. Yes, you’re right,” said the Regent. “Please make your own assessment of Lord Stone.” He slid to a chair and took a deep breath. “Witt has told you what has happened?”

“Just that Stone has been attacked. Disfigured?”

“Yes, yes. But there’s more. A message.”

“What sort of message, sir?” Devlin asked.

The Prince Regent looked to Witt and nodded.

“A note was found on Stone’s person.” Witt produced it from his coat pocket and read, “You have been found guilty of conspiring with sinful men for sinful purposes. I will now handle the situation as I see fit.”

“This sounds like Stone did something that someone else did not approve.”

“There’s more,” said Witt. “Underneath the scrawled name was writing in Stone’s blood. It reads, ‘He is only the first. Repent and guard your lives for you won’t have them long.’ And it’s signed, ‘Lord Talon.’”

Witt studied Ravensmoore as he absorbed the implications of this information. Shock, surprise, and then anger swooped over his features.

“Who would do such a thing?” Ravensmoore asked. “Why? And who is Lord Talon?”

“My thoughts as well.” Witt handed him the scribbled note that had been found on Stone’s body. “His penmanship lacks the benefit of practice. Perhaps he’s not a learned man, or perhaps he’s trying to disguise the fact.”

“Whatever the case may be,” the Prince Regent said, “he must be found immediately. God knows what havoc this Lord Talon fellow could cause within the House of Lords.” He leaned toward the two of them. “I need your help, Ravensmoore.”

“I’ll do whatever I can, but what can be done? You have the royal physician at your disposal; surely he can be counted on for his discretion and talents.”

“The royal physician has grown soft and is not exposed to injuries like these. We need someone like you.”

Witt explained, “You are unique, Ravensmoore. You are both physician and nobleman. You can work with the royal physician, but you also have an ear close to the common man and may hear or see things on the street that others may not. A convenience, indeed.”

“Witt here also possesses talents from his years in my service, and he has agreed to do all in his power to locate this demon and stop him.” Prinny mopped the sweat from his brow.

“I’d like to see Lord Stone, sir. Where is he?”

“Witt, show Ravensmoore to the suite of rooms I’ve assigned to Stone. I’m keeping him well protected in case the madman who did this decides to try and finish him off. I’ve dispatched messengers to every member of Parliament to convene early tomorrow morning and to be aware of the danger.”

Witt and Ravensmoore stood and bowed.

As soon as they’d left the Regent’s chambers, Witt heard Ravensmoore take a deep breath. “This is unbelievable. An attack on a member of the House of Lords and a threat to the others. What if he can’t be found?”

“I’ll find him,” Witt said easily. “The difficulty will be stopping him before someone is murdered.”