“He did?” Serena and Miles spoke at the same time.

Freddie nodded, but did not look up from her work. “I was engaged with the Wandsworth girl at the time and had yet another engagement after that. I told him I was not available just then but I sent him a letter indicating when I might be free. He did not respond.”

Miles raised his eyebrows. “When was this, Freddie?”

“Not long after the school closed.”

“We never let you finish telling us what you knew of him,” Miles prodded.

“I told you all I know. He appears to have come from nowhere perhaps fifteen years ago. Other than the fact that he emerged from London, nothing else is known. He belongs to several clubs but almost never steps foot in them. His friend Declan McElroy, by all accounts a far more gregarious man, seems to be his only point of contact with society.” Freddie gave them a wry look. “I suppose he wrote to me in the hope I could simply deliver a bride to him, the way he probably orders everything else. Since I’ve heard nothing about him moving in society I can only assume he’s put the matter aside.”

Serena wondered if it was significant that he’d told her about the orphanage and decided it was not. It was probably that nobody knew about him because he was a man of so few words rather than a man intent on obscuring his past. After all, he had told her of his origins and they were not well-acquainted. No, he seemed the sort to rarely engage in small talk. She must count herself lucky at having lured him into such an indiscretion.

Miles leaned forward, his face suddenly eager. “I understand he utilizes mathematical formulas to determine his investments.”

“I cannot speak to that, but it would not surprise me. He was reading mathematical journals for pleasure while I was there. They were quite. . . incomprehensible. He is a very clever man whose greatest priority is leaving the mundane demands of day-to-day life in the hands of somebody else.” She turned to Freddie. “You knew he hired away Remington’s butler?”

Freddie chuckled. “Yes, it was quite a scandal, wasn’t it? The inestimable Jessup. And you saw him there?”

“He appeared quite contented. He also hired Sandy Featherstone—I saw him there.”

Freddie’s head jerked up and Miles frowned. It was Miles who spoke, “What was he doing there?”

“He claims to be helping Lockheart play the country gentleman. But I think he is playing some game with Landy, his cousin. I’m afraid they are engaged in fleecing Mr. Lockheart.”

Miles shook his head. “The infamous duo—Sandy and Landy Featherstone. Landy was at Eton, a year below me. He was a weasel even then. I am surprised a man as astute as Lockheart would allow himself to be the victim of such obvious schemers.”

“Mr. Lockheart, I think, does not wish to be bothered with trifles. I daresay he engaged Sandy on somebody’s recommendation—much as he is engaging me on Beech’s—and put the matter out of his mind. Unfortunately, Sandy has taken the opportunity of such trust and unlimited latitude to bring Landy into the picture.”