“Indeed. But her family now has closure,” Mr. Tweed said.
Ambrose needed to talk to Gray about this. See if he had any further information on Gwen Small.
“I asked the farmer, Mr. Harris, what the authorities did when he reported what he’d found, and he said that other than taking the body, they’d not questioned him at all. I then spoke to a colleague I have who works closely with Scotland Yard, and he said he found very little information on the case, or any of the missing women for that matter.
Gray would be interested in that piece of information, too, Ambrose thought. He also wondered if whoever was involved in the women’s deaths were men of power, hence they could ensure no one dug too deep into their actions.
“You have been very helpful. Thank you, Mr. Tweed,” Ambrose said.
“I have more, my lord,” he said. “Regarding that other name you wanted me to look into. I have found something there also...”
Fifteen minutes later, Ambrose and his sisters left the town house with a desperation they had not displayed before Mr. Tweed had revealed what he’d learned about Howard.
CHAPTER 27
Tilly spent an hour in her office at The Iris, going over things she’d neglected. If she was leaving London, she would have to hire another staff member to do this. Someone she could rely on to pay bills and order what was needed with Margaret’s help.
The thought saddened her. She’d put so much into this place. It was a culmination of hope and determination from her and others. The idea had formed when she’d received the Pavlov money and grew into something wonderful. A sanctuary for women of all walks of life who needed it.
“How can I turn my back on that because of one man?” Tilly whispered.
“The knitting club are in today, Miss Wilson,” Ruby said from the doorway. “Will I have some tea ordered for them before I dust the entranceway?”
“Yes, please, Ruby.”
The girl hesitated.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. I just wanted to thank you again. Coming here toThe Iris Club has changed my life. I can never thank you enough for that.”
“You are welcome, and we are the lucky ones to have both you and Barnaby with us.”
Ruby smiled. She looked so much happier and healthier now. It was wonderful to see.
Tilly rose twenty minutes later and went upstairs to take tea with the knitting group. Passing a smaller parlor, she saw it held a handful of women playing cards. Another held three reading quietly.
I helped create this,she thought. It hit her then with startling clarity. She could not walk away from here. Tilly would leave society and devote herself to The Iris. This would be her sole focus. The decision felt like the right one, and the tight coil of anxiety in the pit of her stomach eased slightly.
Of course there was Ambrose to consider, but she could avoid him if she took pains to ensure she went nowhere he would be.
“A gentleman has called at the door, and is asking to speak with you, Miss Wilson,” Margaret said.
Ambrose?
“Did he give his name?”
“He did not.” Margaret’s mouth formed a hard line of disapproval. Clearly, she was unhappy another man was on their doorstep.
Ambrose would have given his name had it been him calling. Tilly stomped down the tug of despair in her chest that she would no longer spend time in his company.The man I now know I love.
“I shall go and see what he wants, Margaret, and you check that everyone has everything they need.”
She hurried past Ruby, who was busy dusting with Barnaby at her side, to the front door and found Mr. Howard there.
“Forgive me for coming to your club, Miss Wilson, but I called at your home to see if you would like to go driving, as you were unable to at our prearranged time, and was informed you were here.”
It was evident to Tilly that she needed to make her intentions known to him. She was not interested in another marriage proposal, if that was what he was thinking.