The other four’s eyes opened wide. “Dalziel was really Wolverstone?” James asked.
“The then-Wolverstone’s heir, apparently,” Del replied. “The old man died late in ’16, after we got here.”
Gareth was counting years. “Dalziel must have been retired by then.”
“Presumably. Regardless, as Duke of St. Ives, Devil knows the new duke well. After reading my letter explaining our predicament, Devil showed it to Wolverstone, reasoning there could be no one better placed to advise us. If you recall, Dalziel was in charge of all British agents on foreign soil for a decade and more, and knows every trick when it comes to couriering sensitive information across the continent and into England. More, as Devil went to literary lengths to point out, Wolverstone is the peer best-placed to oppose Shrewton. Wolverstone owes the king nothing-if anything, the shoe is on the other foot, and His Majesty is well aware of it. If Wolverstone presents evidence that Ferrar junior is the Black Cobra, there’ll be nothing the king or Shrewton will dare do to derail the wheels of justice.”
Rafe grinned. “I always knew there was a reason we agreed to form a troop with the Cynsters at Waterloo.”
Gareth smiled reminiscently. “They were damned fine soliders, even if they weren’t regulars.”
“In the blood.” Logan nodded sagely.
“And their horses were worth killing for,” Rafe added.
“We covered their backs often enough, so now they’re returning the favor.” Del held up his glass, waited until the others touched the rims of theirs to his. “To old comrades-in-arms.”
They all drank, then Logan looked at Del. “So has Wolverstone given us the required advice?”
Del nodded. “In detail. First, he confirmed that he’s willing to take any proof we turn up and present it through the proper channels-he has all the contacts and the standing to do that. However, he makes it plain that to take down Ferrar junior, said proof will have to be incontrovertible. It has to be clear, instantly obvious, unequivocal, not circumstantial, not something that requires interpretation, let alone knowledge of the situation, to make sense.”