Not anymore. Aiding Harriet was now his priority. That meant looking further into Henderson.
He studied each man who came into the club, searching for a possible connection to Henderson or Chapman. He would guess that the two men had been nearly the same age, so finding someone of a similar age to ask could prove helpful.
He’d asked two without success when Lord Weston, who’d also been at Melbourne’s party, entered. Joseph stood to catch his attention.
“Garland.” The lord nodded. “Recovered from the house party?”
“Wishing we were still in the country, as a matter of fact.” Because that would mean he’d be with Harriet. “What of you?” He gestured to the empty chair at the table, pleased when Weston pulled it out to join him.
“Always enjoyable to spend time away from the city.”
They spoke for several more minutes before Joseph asked, “Do you know much about Reverend Henderson?”
“Other than speaking with him briefly at the party, not really. The reverend seems determined to insert himself into every possible opportunity of late.”
That didn’t clarify how Weston felt about Henderson. Given that Joseph had seen them speaking several times during the house party, they might be on good terms.
“I have a few concerns about his attitude toward being of service.” Joseph waited, hoping he’d feel free to agree or disagree. Either way, Joseph would know where Weston stood.
“I don’t think I’ll be donating to his church any time soon. I’m curious to know if Melbourne did.”
“As would I.” Joseph waited with as much patience as he could muster while the waiter served Weston a drink. “Did you know Lord Chapman?”
“Yes, though he died a year or two ago.” His brow furrowed as if he were thinking it over. “It’s probably been closer to two.”
“What happened?”
“An accident if I remember correctly. Fell down the stairs. Makes you think twice to hear things like that. Healthy one minute and dead the next.”
The information left Joseph with more questions than answers, but it was a step in the right direction. “Do you know who was well acquainted with Chapman?”
Weston gave him two names, though Joseph didn’t know them well.
As Weston departed to go to the card room, Joseph sighed with frustration. Did he pursue his line of questioning, or did he try to speak with Harriet privately? Did she trust him enough to allow him to help?
Chapter Seventeen