Either way, she didn't care. Her earlier irritation only seemed to double by half.
One of the men lowered his voice, "They say he departed before dawn."
"I heard he left London entirely."
"I heard he was ordered to."
Penelope's brows knitted. Ordered?
"By whom?"
A heavy silence followed. She could hear nothing but the quiet rhythm of her own breath mingling with the cool evening air.
"No one knows."
The men laughed quietly while Penelope remained perfectly still. Did Lord Ashbourne truly departed by himself?
Then another voice spoke. "I only know that if I were Lord Ashbourne, I would not remain in London either."
"Because of the scandal?"
"Because of the questions."
Penelope's stomach tightened.
"What questions?"
The gentleman gave a quiet, humourless laugh. "The same ones everyone else is asking," he said. "Whether he had anything to do with… you know… Lady Fiona's death."
One of the men immediately glanced around. "Keep your voice down."
