Page 22 of A Dangerous Vision

“It is a possibility I must consider, Miss Faraday.”

Lance Pennington settled deeper into the settee, crossed his arms, and stared at the fire. “My brother did not speak freely to me about his work. By its very nature, his cases required the utmost discretion.” He lifted his gaze to Gideon again. “But no, I know of no one who bore a grudge that could result in…his death.”

After noting Pennington’s answer, Gideon shifted toward his niece, who immediately shook her head.

“No, I know of no one who might have wished harm to my uncle. He was a charming and amiable man, and well-liked by everyone, as far as I am aware. When he wasn’t at court, he was often at his club or visiting friends or attending soirees.”

“Do either of you know how he spent his day yesterday?”

Pennington immediately shook his head. “I regret to say I had not spoken to my brother in several days.”

“I cannot bear the thought that someone he knew would do him harm,” Lucy Faraday murmured quietly.

“Since you resided with him,” Gideon asked her, “do you know if there were any outstanding cases that were troubling him?”

“No more than usual and none that he mentioned.” Miss Faraday appeared almost uninterested in his uncle’s professional dealings.

“He dealt with criminal defendants, I would suppose.” Gideon did not personally know many barristers, though he had encountered numerable solicitors in his years with Scotland Yard, and he had spent his fair share of time in courtrooms.

“Sometimes he dealt with estate matters, or civil disputes, not always criminal cases,” the young lady explained, “but he never mentioned anyone who held a grudge of any sort. At least, not to me.”

“May I ask when you came to reside at Mount Street, Miss Faraday?”

“Two years ago,” the lady’s uncle cut in, turning a worried look at her. “Our sister passed away after a long illness, and Percival wished to provide Lucy with a home.”

Miss Faraday smiled weakly. “My father had died years before, so Uncle Percy took me in, and I’ve been residing here since.”

Gideon looked down at his notes, flipping back to the pages from last evening. “Are you betrothed, Miss Faraday?”

“Oh, I⁠—”

“Lucy…” Lance Pennington turned to his niece with an expression that transformed quickly from shock to a tight-jawed look of irritation.

The young woman immediately fell silent and slid her gaze down to her clasped hands.

“Is that not the case?” Gideon asked, attempting to clarify.

“Not as yet,” Miss Faraday said softly, glancing at her uncle. “But it was a matter under discussion between Uncle Percy and my…suitor, Mr. William Worthington.”

“Cordial discussions?” Gideon assumed they were not, based on what he’d learned from the maid, Sarah McGuire.

When Miss Faraday remained silent, Lance Pennington cleared his throat.

“This is a private matter that can have no relevance to the tragedy that’s befallen our family.”

Gideon took that as confirmation that it had been a point of conflict between Percival Pennington and his niece, but he decided to push no further on that matter. At least for now.

Instead, he decided it was time to inquire about the incident he’d learned about from the Mount Street staff.

“I understand that Mr. Pennington was friends with Mr. Gordon Callister, MP. Were you aware of any conflict between the two?”

“Not at all.” Miss Faraday had seemingly overcome the silence regarding her suitor. “From what I observed, Mr. Callister was my uncle’s closest friend.”

Lance Pennington nodded. “They attended university together and now belong to the same club.”

“Which club?”

“The Palladia, I believe.” With a rueful look, he added, “I am not a member.”