The Repentant Rake

    She remained at the forefront of his mind until he turned into Addle Hill.

    'Mr Redmayne!'

    'Good day to you, Mrs Bale.'

    'It is so nice to see you again, sir.'

    'The pleasure is mine, I assure you.'

    Though she had only met him on a handful of occasions, Sarah Bale was very fond of Christopher. He was always polite, charming and kind to her children. Having heard that he was due to call, she made sure that she answered the door to him. Once she had shown him into the parlour, however, she left him alone with her husband. They had serious business to discuss and she did not wish to hold them up. Christopher was touched that he had been invited to the house. It was a sign of friendship. Whether out of resentment or from feelings of social inferiority, Jonathan Bale had always been unhappy about his earlier visits, but those objections seemed to have disappeared. Christopher was welcomed and shown to a seat. Turning down the offer of refreshment, he plunged straight into the matter in hand.

    'I believe that I know who killed Gabriel Cheever,' he began.

    Jonathan was delighted. 'You have a name?'

    'Not yet, Mr Bale, but I have critical evidence. The person behind the murder is the same man who has been trying to extort money from my brother.'

    After swearing the constable to secrecy, Christopher gave him an abbreviated account of the two blackmail letters, tactfully omitting any scurrilous details about his brother's indiscretions. Jonathan listened with fascination. He was especially attentive when given more details about the murder victim. One fact was pounced upon.

    'Gabriel Cheever lived in Knightrider Street?' he said.

    'Not necessarily,' warned Christopher. 'Someone claims to have seen him there, that is all. There's no guarantee that he had lodgings there.'

    'On the other hand it does establish a possible link with this ward.'

    'Granted.'

    'Knightrider Street is not far from Paul's Wharf.'

    'It might be worth knocking on some more doors.'

    'Yes,' said Jonathan. 'Tom Warburton can try his luck there.'

    'What of your news?'

    'I got to the morgue just in time to stop them arranging a burial. The body will be held until a family member can identify and reclaim it. If Gabriel Cheever is a resident of Knightrider Street, he should be buried in the cemetery of the parish church.'

    'That is something for his family to decide.'

    'I thought that he had broken with them.'

    'Not all of them, Mr Bale.'

    'Oh.'

    'Leave the family to me,' said Christopher. 'Sir Julius has a married daughter who lives in Richmond. He gave me her address. I plan to ride there first thing in the morning to break the news to her and to find out when her father is expected.'

    'Would you like me to come with you, Mr Redmayne?'

    Christopher smiled. 'No, thank you. But it's a kind offer, particularly when it comes from a man who hates riding as much as you do.'

    'Nature did not intend me to sit astride a horse.'

    'You prefer to keep your feet on the ground, Mr Bale. In every sense.'

    'What can I do in the meantime?'

    'Speak to some of the people on this list that Henry gave me,' said Christopher, taking it from his pocket. 'Start with Arthur Lunn. He was closer to Gabriel Cheever than anyone. See what he can tell you about the dead man.'

    'How will I find the gentleman?'

    'At his favourite coffee house. Sir Marcus Kemp may be there as well. He was the man who claimed to have seen Cheever in Knightrider Street. Between the two of them, they should be able to give you much more information about him.'

    'And this… other matter?' asked Jonathan discreetly.

    Christopher was decisive. 'Make no mention of it, Mr Bale. Keep my brother's name out of it at this stage. It will be enough for them to know that a friend of theirs has been murdered. That will secure their interest.'

    'Arthur Lunn and Sir Marcus Kemp.'

    'Both amiable fellows but neither destined for sainthood.'

    'I had already decided that,' said Jonathan seriously. 'Well, I'll speak to them at their coffee house and see what I can learn. What of you, Mr Redmayne?'

    'The person I intend to meet does not appear on this list.'

    'Why not?'

    'Because she is not one of my brother's inner circle,' explained Christopher. 'But she may be able to tell me things about Gabriel Cheever that nobody else knows.'

    'Who is the lady?'

    'Miss Celia Hemmings.'

Chapter Six

    Sir Julius Cheever set out for London earlier than planned. Having made the decision to go, he saw no reason for delay and he took his younger daughter with him for company Susan could read his moods with great accuracy. She knew when to talk, when to listen and most important of all, when to do neither. If he drifted off into a reverie, Sir Julius did not like to be interrupted and she had thoughts of her own in which to lose herself for long periods. Their coach rocked its way noisily over a track hardened by the hot sunshine. Sleep was out of the question but they learned to adjust their bodies to the jolting rhythm and that brought some comfort. They made good speed. Susan judged the moment to break the silence.

    'We should have ridden there,' she said.

    'Why sit on two horses when we can be pulled by four?'

    'Because we would have travelled more quickly, Father.'

    'Only if we had found enough companions to ensure safety on the journey. Besides,' argued Sir Julius with rough-hewn gallantry, 'I could not ask a delicate young lady like yourself to spend two whole days in the saddle.'

    Susan was firm. 'I am not delicate and I love riding. Nothing would have pleased me more than to make the entire journey on horseback.'

    'And arrive at Serle Court covered in dirt and perspiration?'

    'Travel always imposes penalties.'

    'Then the sensible thing is to lessen their number, Susan. Take your ease,' he advised. 'As much as this coach allows you to, that is. We've kept up a steady pace so far. When we arrive in Richmond tomorrow, we'll be fresh and unsullied.'

    'Apart from the occasional bruise,' she added with a smile.

    'You would insist on coming with me.'

    'I wanted to see Brilliana.'

    Sir Julius snorted. 'You'd hardly be subjecting yourself to this in order to see your brother-in-law. Why, in God's name, did she have to wed that drooling imbecile?'

    'Lancelot is an intelligent man,' she said loyally.

    'Then he has a wonderful gift for disguising that intelligence.'

    'Don't mock him, Father.'

    'The fellow is so irredeemably fatuous.'

    'Brilliana chose him and for her sake, we must learn to love him.'