by Amanda Quick
“Didn’t want to overset her by telling her I’d lost the heirloom ring my father had given me. So I had another one made to replace it.”
“Who is Lillian?” Sebastian asked softly.
“I have no notion.” The teacup rattled in its saucer as Jeremy picked it up.
“Who is Lillian?” Sebastian repeated, his voice lethally soft. Lucifer twitched his tail.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about, I tell you,” Jeremy said loudly. “I don’t know any Lillian.” He set the cup down with a crash.
“I think you do,” Sebastian said. “You are not leaving here until you tell me who she is.”
“Damn you, Angelstone. Who the hell do you think you are?”
“He is the head of the family,” Prudence said quickly. She shot a quelling glance at Sebastian, who ignored it. “And he is only trying to help. Isn’t that right, Angelstone?”
“The only thing I am attempting to do at the moment,” Sebastian said evenly, “is ascertain who Lillian is.”
Prudence glared at him. “There is no need to sound so threatening, my lord. We are trying to establish some facts. We don’t wish to alarm your cousin.”
Sebastian did not take his eyes off Jeremy. Nor did he respond to Prudence’s appeal. She gave up trying to control his manners and turned to Jeremy.
“Please understand, Mr. Fleetwood,” she said gently. “We are merely seeking to determine why your ring was found in some very unusual circumstances last night.”
Jeremy looked at her. “What circumstances?”
“It was found lying next to the body of Lord Oxenham,” Sebastian said bluntly. “You wouldn’t happen to know how it got there, would you?”
“Body?” Jeremy frowned in confusion. “Oxenham is dead?”
“Very,” Sebastian said.
Jeremy’s eyes widened slightly. “My ring was nearby?”
“Yes.”
“You think I killed him, is that it?” Jeremy’s outrage overwhelmed his confusion. “Because someone found my ring near the body?”
“That question did arise.” Sebastian’s smile was laconic. Lucifer blinked his golden eyes.
Prudence scowled at Sebastian. “Do stop trying to intimidate him, my lord.”
“Stay out of this, madam.” Sebastian did not glance at her.
She ignored the warning and turned back to Jeremy with a reassuring smile. “Mr. Fleetwood, at this point the authorities do not know that your ring was found near Oxenham’s body. And we certainly do not intend to tell them, do we, Sebastian?”
“That remains to be seen,” Sebastian said coolly.
“But I didn’t kill him.” Jeremy’s desperate glance swung back and forth between Prudence and Sebastian. “I swear it. Why would I kill Oxenham?”
Sebastian rubbed Lucifer’s ears. “Perhaps because you think he might have had something to do with Lillian’s death?”
“But Lillian’s death was an accident. She drowned, for God’s sake.” Jeremy broke off abruptly as he obviously realized he had just admitted to knowing who Lillian was. He gave Prudence a pleading look. “I was told that she drowned.”
Prudence reacted instinctively to Jeremy’s pain and bewilderment. She leaned forward and touched his hand in a gesture of comfort. She was aware of the brief anger that flashed in Sebastian’s eyes, but he said nothing.
“Who was Lillian, Mr. Fleetwood?” Prudence asked quietly.
Jeremy closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them again, his expression was one of bleak resignation.
“I suppose you may as well know the whole story, although why it has surfaced after all this time defeats me.” Jeremy took a steadying sip of tea. When he put down the cup he kept his gaze focused on Prudence. “I loved her.”
“Did you?”
“She was the daughter of a prosperous merchant. His only child and the light of his life after his wife died. He saw to it that she was gently reared. She was well educated and her manners were above reproach. She was a lady in every way but for the circumstances of her birth.”
“I understand,” Prudence whispered.
“I met her sometime after her father had died. She had been left in the care of an aging uncle who consumed her inheritance and forced her to work in his tavern.”
Out of the corner of her eye Prudence saw Sebastian open his mouth to ask a question. She silenced him with a tiny motion of her hand. Somewhat to her surprise, he subsided.
“How did you meet Lillian?” Prudence asked.
“At a fair here in town three years ago.” Jeremy’s mouth curved in a reminiscent smile. “She was eating an ice. I accidentally bumped into her and the ice went all over my coat. It was love at first sight.”
“Then what happened?” Prudence asked.
“I started seeing her whenever I could. I knew Mother would never approve, of course. In her eyes Lillian would have been a mere tavern wench, without even a merchant’s fortune to make up for her lack of background.” Jeremy’s mouth hardened. “You must remember that at the time Mother thought I would become the next Earl of Angelstone.”
“I think it’s safe to say that my aunt would have found a tavern wench totally unacceptable as the next Countess of Angelstone,” Sebastian said dryly. “Almost as unacceptable as an actress.”
Jeremy flushed. “If it’s any consolation to you, Angelstone, I have often thought that I understood your father’s decision to marry the woman he loved. I had made plans to do the same. Regardless of the consequences.”
Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “Did you?”
“Yes. I truly loved Lillian. She was a beautiful creature. Gentle and pure.” Jeremy sighed. “But she died before we could be wed.”
“How tragic,” Prudence said.
“I never mentioned her name to Mother or anyone else in the family,” Jeremy said. “With Lillian in her grave, there did not seem any reason to do so.”
“Who told you she had drowned?” Sebastian asked.
“Her uncle. He said she had gone to stay with a friend in the country for a few days. While she was there she fell into a stream that was in flood after a recent storm. She was swept away and drowned.”
“I am so sorry, Mr. Fleetwood,” Prudence said quietly. “It must have been terrible for you.”
Jeremy looked down at the ring. “The worst part was that I could tell no one of my grief. There was no one who would have understood or approved.” He glanced up again. “I have recovered. One does eventually. Lillian is in the past. But I shall never forget her.”
Sebastian eyed his cousin. “You gave her that ring?”
Jeremy nodded. “The one I wear is a duplicate. I had it made when I gave Lillian this one. I did not want to have to explain to Mother or the rest of the family why I was no longer wearing the Fleetwood ring. Not until I was ready to announce my marriage.”
“You may not have found it necessary to explain the missing ring to the rest of the Fleetwoods,” Sebastian said, “but I think you are going to have to explain to me how it wound up in Oxenham’s study.”
“But I don’t know how it got there,” Jeremy said quickly. “I swear it. As far as I knew, the ring was lost when Lillian drowned. It occurred to me that someone—one of the villagers, perhaps—might have stolen it after finding her body. The ring was, after all, rather valuable. But I knew I had very little chance of recovering it, so I let the matter rest.”
Prudence turned to Sebastian. “Perhaps we should talk to her uncle, the tavern keeper.”
“You cannot do that,” Jeremy said quietly. “He was taken off by the fever over a year ago. I learned of his death when I happened past the tavern one day and discovered it was being operated by new owners.”
“So much for that notion,” Prudence said, frustrated.
“I do not understand any of this.” Jeremy glared at Sebastian. “First you return my snuffbox to me and now my ring. You have practically accused me of murder in both instances. What game are you playi
ng now, Angelstone?”
Sebastian stroked Lucifer in silence for a moment. “Two men have died recently: Ringcross and Oxenham.”
“I am aware of that.”
“Personal items belonging to you were found in the vicinity of the deaths. This note was also found near Oxenham’s body.” Sebastian handed Jeremy the note he had discovered.
Jeremy read it quickly. When he glanced up again he appeared more baffled than ever. “What is this about avenging Lillian? What the bloody hell is going on?”
“There would appear to be two possibilities,” Sebastian said. “Either you have decided to avenge Lillian because you believe her death was not an accident, or …”
“Or what?” Prudence demanded before Jeremy could ask the same question.
“Or someone wishes to make it appear that such is the case,” Sebastian concluded softly.
“But who would wish to do that?” Prudence asked swiftly.
Sebastian contemplated Lucifer. “The real murderer, perhaps.”
Jeremy was clearly staggered. “How do you come to know all this, Angelstone?”
Sebastian gave him a derisive smile. “Rumors have reached me.”
“Rumors from where?” Jeremy demanded.
“Bow Street.”
“Bow Street” Jeremy was horrified. “Do you mean to tell me that Bow Street is investigating the deaths of Ringcross and Oxenham?”
“Yes,” Sebastian said. “Very discreetly, of course.”
“But how did you get hold of my snuffbox and ring if they were found at the scenes of the deaths?”
“Let us just say that I have connections both high and low. Some of them are in Bow Street.”
“I suppose that does not surprise me,” Jeremy muttered. “God knows you have your tentacles everywhere,”
“That is certainly one way of putting it,” Sebastian agreed. “In any event, one of my tentacles—I mean, one of my connections—is involved in the investigation. A certain individual saw lit to let me know that evidence linking you to the deaths has come to light. At the moment this person is content to let me deal with the matter.”
“You must pay him very well to keep you informed,” Jeremy said bitterly.
“I like to be kept informed,” Sebastian said in a neutral tone.
Prudence glanced at Sebastian in brief admiration. He had finessed that issue very nicely, she thought. It was entirely believable that a man in Sebastian’s powerful position could have picked up rumors from Bow Street, especially rumors that affected his own family. It was also reasonable to assume that he could have used his influence to convince someone in authority to turn evidence over to him rather than use it against his cousin.
“The problem,” Sebastian continued softly, “is that there may be more deaths. I do not know if I will be able to keep your name out of the matter if that happens.”
“Good God.” Jeremy stared at Sebastian. “What am I to do? I know nothing about the deaths of Ringcross and Oxenham. If someone is trying to implicate me, I might eventually be arrested for murder. How would I prove my innocence?”
“You must not fret, Mr. Fleetwood.” Prudence patted Jeremy’s arm. “Angelstone is going to help you, aren’t you, Angelstone?”
Sebastian shrugged. “Perhaps.”
“Angelstone, what are you saying?” Prudence shot to her feet. “It is grossly unkind of you to torment Mr. Fleetwood in this fashion. I will not have it.”
Jeremy stood up abruptly. His hand clenched into a fist. “I suspect your husband is enjoying himself, Lady Angelstone. It occurs to me that if I am taken up for murder, he will have a rather nasty sort of revenge against the family. There is no telling what the shock and scandal would do to my mother.”
“Do not say such things, Mr. Fleetwood,” Prudence begged. “It is not Angelstone’s intent to hurt the family by seeing you arrested for murder.”
“No?” Jeremy looked down at her, his eyes a little wild. “In case you do not fully comprehend the sort of man you have married, madam, allow me to tell you that Angelstone hates the rest of us. He would not mind seeing all Fleetwoods ruined.”
“That’s not true,” Prudence said.
“It is true.” Jeremy cast a scathing glance at Sebastian. “In fact, now that I consider the matter, I find it more than likely that he is the one behind all this.”
“No,” Prudence gasped.
Jeremy stared at Sebastian. “Is it you who is doing this to me, Angelstone? Are you trying to get me arrested for murder?”
Sebastian smiled coldly. “If that was my goal I would not have given you the snuffbox and the ring. I would have let Bow Street have them.”
“How do I know that?” Jeremy shot back. “Perhaps this is all part of a larger plot. You are like a cat with a mouse, are you not? You intend to amuse yourself for a time by tormenting the rest of us until you grow bored. Then you will end the entertainment once and for all by seeing me hung and the rest of the family disgraced.”
Sebastian’s mouth curved in cynical amusement. “I congratulate you on your vivid imagination, cousin.”
“Stop it, both of you,” Prudence ordered. She stepped in front of the desk, placing herself between Jeremy and Sebastian. “That is quite enough theatrics for the morning. Mr. Fleetwood, perhaps it would be best if you took your leave. Try not to worry about being taken up for murder. Angel-stone will not permit that to happen.”
“Angelstone may not be able to prevent it,” Sebastian said very softly.
Prudence rounded on him. “As for you, Angelstone, I demand that you cease trying to terrify your cousin.”
Sebastian’s eyes glittered. “Why are you always trying to spoil my fun, madam?”
“Not another word,” Prudence said through set teeth. She glanced at Jeremy over her shoulder. “Good day, Mr. Fleetwood. I shall see that you are kept informed of events. Please try not to worry. All will be well.”
“Not if Angelstone has decided upon some fiendish amusement.” Jeremy inclined his head in a rigid gesture of farewell. “Good day, madam. You have my deepest condolences. It cannot be easy being wed to the Fallen Angel.”
He walked out of the library without a backward glance.
Fifteen
ebastian knew Prudence was going to scold him as soon as the door closed behind Jeremy. He was not in the mood for it.
She whirled around to confront him the instant Jeremy had left the room. Behind the lenses of her spectacles, her eyes sparkled with outrage. “How could you be so unkind to poor Jeremy?”
“I assure you, it was not in the least difficult.” Sebastian set Lucifer on the desk and got to his feet. He was going to be forced to help Jeremy. He knew it, but he did not have to like it.
The prospect of helping out a Fleetwood made Sebastian feel short-tempered and henpecked. At a time like this a man needed his club. Unfortunately, he could not avail himself of the traditional masculine refuge because he had an appointment to keep. But at least he had an excuse to escape the house, he thought.
“It was most uncivil of you, sir. Surely you could see that your cousin is under a dreadful strain. He needs help and reassurance. I insist that you do not play any more games with him, Sebastian.”
“And I insist that you cease interfering in my affairs, madam.” Sebastian stalked around the edge of the desk. “Furthermore, I am in no mood to be lectured on the manner in which I choose to treat my bloody relatives.”
Prudence folded her arms beneath her breasts and tapped one slippered toe. “You know perfectly well that you are going to help your cousin. Why did you make him think otherwise?”
Sebastian lounged against the edge of his desk. “What makes you think I’m going to help him?”
She gave him a fulminating look. “There cannot be any question of it.”
“On the contrary, madam.” Sebastian smiled blandly. “As far as I am concerned, there is most definitely a question. I have already done a great deal for my ungrateful cousin. Or have yo
u forgotten that on two very recent occasions I have concealed evidence that implicated him in the deaths of two men?”
Prudence bit her lip. “You didn’t actually conceal it, my lord. You simply returned it to the rightful owner.”
“Who may very well be the killer.”
“Mr. Fleetwood did not kill Oxenham or Ringcross. I am certain of it.”
“I’m glad you are so certain, because I am not.”
“How can you say that?” Prudence demanded.
“Let me put it this way.” Sebastian straightened and started for the door. “If I thought I knew the names of four men who had been involved in my lady’s death, I would not hesitate to murder each and every one of them.”
Prudence unfolded her arms and gaped at him in astonishment. “Sebastian? What are you saying? That you understand why your cousin may have killed those men?”
“I understand perfectly well why he may have done so.” Sebastian had his hand on the doorknob.
Prudence brightened. “Then surely you want to help him, even if you do think he’s guilty.”
“Not necessarily. I still have my own objectives to consider.” Sebastian opened the door and glanced back over his shoulder. “And I assure you that helping Fleetwoods has never been one of them. As far as I am concerned, I have done more than enough for Jeremy. He has been warned. I owe him nothing else in the way of assistance.”
“But Sebastian—-”
Sebastian went through the door and closed it quickly. He heard the soft patter of Prudence’s slippered feet running across the carpet and knew he had only seconds to get safely out the front door.
“Tell her ladyship I will not be back until this afternoon, Flowers.”
Flowers gave him a reproachful look as he handed Sebastian his hat and his gloves. “Yes, my lord.”
The library door was flung wide just as Flowers opened the front door for Sebastian.
“My lord, wait,” Prudence called urgently. “Damn it, Angelstone, come back here.”
“Sorry, I must be off, my dear. I fear I am late for an appointment.” Sebastian went swiftly down the steps to the sidewalk.
Prudence stood in the doorway behind him. “I’m not through talking to you.”
