by Ella Edon
“Not my style.” Amy shuddered. “I wouldn’t become anyone’s mistress. I prefer to share my man with no one.”
“I’m with you there.” Sarah sighed. “Forgive me for doubting you, Amy?”
Amy could forgive her already. There was nothing to forgive. She could see where Sarah was coming from. She reached out and hugged her friend.
“I love you, Sarah. That’s not ever changing.”
“I love you, too.” Sarah’s grip was tight, almost stopping Amy’s breath. “Forgive me.”
“I already have.” Amy managed to draw back and wiped away a tear that was trickling down Sarah’s cheek. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get through it. We always do.”
That was when they heard the scream.
* * *
Derby was furious when he heard what Leicester had done to Amy. He didn’t deserve to be in polite Society, never mind out in the open at all. Thankfully, the Earl had scampered into one of the vast rooms of the house.
The first moment Derby saw him, he was telling Leicester to leave. It didn’t matter if Hartley was leaving as well, taking Amy with him, Derby just wanted Leicester out. The man had done enough damage, and Derby wouldn’t have Amy subjected to that any longer.
But he would keep Amy with him. Maybe as soon as he told Leicester to leave, Derby would find Amy and spirit her away. Gretna Green sounded like a good idea.
If Amy would agree to it, and Derby had a feeling that she would, they would be away from her father and that awful earl.
To finally get her alone and not have anyone bothering them. Derby’s hands tingled at the thought of touching Amy without restraint, or with worries that Amy’s reputation would be sullied. Was she as warm and soft as he believed under all those restrictive clothes? Derby wanted to find out.
A knock at the door jerked Derby out of his thoughts. Aware that if he stood up that his arousal would be clear to his visitor, Derby shuffled the papers about his desk and tried to think about something that wasn’t a naked Amy Hartley sitting on his desk.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Day entered. He looked worn out, lines of tiredness around his eyes. He gave Derby a smile as he shut the door.
“Amy’s better. She’s with Anna right now.”
“Thank you.”
Knowing that Doctor Day had been close by to rescue Amy had been a relief. Derby wished it had been him, but Day was the second-best choice. Maybe even the better one, because he would have been able to keep control of himself. Derby certainly wouldn’t have held back had he seen Leicester manhandling Amy again.
Derby watched as the doctor sagged into the chair across from him, rubbing his hands over his face.
“How is your wife? Is she feeling better?”
“Not really. She seems to have gotten worse.” Day scowled. “I don’t know what happened, but since we heard about Lord Merseyside, she went backward in her recovery.”
Derby frowned.
“That’s strange. She looked like she had perked up this morning.”
“Watching us shoot clay targets flying through the air probably took a lot out of her more than we realized.”
“And Leicester?” Derby barely fought back the growl in his voice. “Where’s the cad now?”
“Sulking with the Viscount and Viscountess, no doubt. I have no idea where he went and, quite frankly, I don’t care. He’s out of the way.” Day rubbed at his temples. “Have you sent for the magistrate?”
“I have, but he’s not going to get here until tomorrow morning.”
At least they were lucky, in that sense. Lord John Radford was the current magistrate, and he was a sharp, shrewd man. Derby was glad he was the man in charge of the county; already, this was giving him a headache. Being a magistrate was not a job he would be happy taking on.”
“Where’s Merseyside’s body now?” Day asked.
Derby grimaced. He had helped the servants move the body, so Sarah didn’t see it, but it had left a lasting effect. He could still feel the dead body in his arms.
“On his bed with the door locked. My servants have made sure he’s left in a state of respect.”
“That’s good.” Day looked towards the window. “With this weather, the body is going to start decomposing soon. Once that starts, it’s going to be difficult to determine exactly what killed the Marquis.”
“I’m aware of that. That’s why I’ve also sent a message to the coroner. He should be here about the same time as Radford.”
Day grunted.
“If he’s not quick, there’s a good chance there are going to be more bodies.”
“What makes you say that?”
“In my experience, when there’s one body, another one is going to follow close behind.”
Derby stared at the doctor, who didn’t bat an eyelid. Another body? They were already in chaos with one. He snorted.
“You’re very optimistic, aren’t you?”
“Part of the job.” Day frowned. “Who do you think poisoned Merseyside?”
Derby had been going over it in his head, and he had no significant conclusions. Everything had loose ends, and Derby had no idea how it connected. It was a mess in his head.
“I have no idea.” He slumped in his chair. Talking about the murder was certainly enough to cool the ardor. “He did have a way with the ladies, but he never pursued it further than mere flirtation. Society thought otherwise, but Kenneth had more respect for women than they thought. He always backed off when a man claimed the ladies’ favor. None of those ladies, or the supposed angry men, are here, as far as I know.”
“And I’m guessing you’ve discounted your sister already.”
“Absolutely. Sarah wouldn’t have done this.”
Day raised his eyebrows.
“Sometimes, we’re blind to those closest to us.”
Derby glared at him.
“Sarah is not a murderer. I know that.”
They stared at each other. Day was the first one to back down, sitting back with a sigh.
“All right, then, what about the other people here? Did anyone hate Merseyside enough to kill him?”
“No, he got on with everyone.”
“Even Hartley and Leicester?”
“Surprisingly.” Derby had been startled about that himself. “They were cordial to each other. Merseyside didn’t approve of them or want to be associated with them, and they knew that, but I can’t see either of them poisoning him. They’re more brute force, preferring a public fight to subtle murder.”
“After witnessing their abuse over the years, I can very well believe it.” Day paused. “Poison is known as a woman’s weapon.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“What are you…you mean Lady Hartley?” Derby snorted. “I highly doubt it. She’s just full of hot air. And she’s the type of woman to be confrontational, not do it behind someone’s back. You’ve seen that yourself.”
“I have, and I wish I hadn’t.” Day scratched his head. “I can’t see any of the other guests poisoning him. Or even the servants. Not anyone with a reasonable motive.”
“No, you’re right…” Then Derby saw the doctor looking at him. That was when the penny dropped. Derby sat up. “You think I did it? You think I killed my brother-in-law?”
“No, I don’t.” Day’s expression didn’t change. “But the magistrate would look to you once he finds out the Marquis was in love with the woman you’re planning to make your wife. He might put things together and come up with the wrong answer.”
“Let’s hope not.”
Derby hoped Radford wouldn’t come to that conclusion. The man was sharp, and he always weighed up the situation. He had been the one to investigate his mother’s death after some people whispered that it might not have been natural; Radford knew what was what. But there was always that fear that he would listen to gossip.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Hartley came storming in. Derby jumped, almost falling off his chair. Catchin
g himself, he rose to his feet and came around the desk.
“Lord Hartley, have you ever heard of knocking?”
“Don’t start all that, Derby!” Hartley bellowed. “I object to being held in this manner like I’m a criminal! My wife and I had nothing to do with the Marquis’ death. We deserve to be treated with some respect!”
Behind Hartley, Day had risen to his feet. But from the look on his face and his trying to look elsewhere, he was trying to stop himself from laughing. Derby took a deep breath, mentally counting to ten.
“Lord Hartley, someone had died in suspicious circumstances. I’m sure you’re feeling distressed about the fact a fellow peer has suddenly passed.”
He watched as Hartley floundered, his face flushing. Derby went on.
“The magistrate and the coroner will be here tomorrow morning. If you and Lady Hartley behave yourselves today, I’ll make sure the two of you are spoken to first. Then you can go.”
Derby didn’t want them staying any longer than they had to. Having the Hartleys as guests had been a harder experience than he expected.
“Good.” Hartley adjusted his coat. “We need to get Amy and Lord Leicester out of here before they become victims to whatever maniac is running around poisoning people.”
“Amy stays.”
Hartley shook his head.
“I’m her father, Derby. You can’t stop me from taking her with me.”
“Try me.”
Hartley’s jaw tightened. He opened his mouth, but his snarl was cut off by a loud scream. All three men turned to the door as there was another scream. Derby was the first to snap out of his daze. Pushing past Hartley, he ran out the door and followed the sound of the screams. They were coming from one of the smaller rooms just off the dining room. Rebecca was in the doorway, her aunt just behind her. Helen was collapsed against the wall, sagging to the floor as she wailed hysterically. Rebecca was still screaming. As soon as she saw Derby running over, she flung herself on him.
“Oh, Daniel!” She cried, burying her face into his chest as her arms tightened around his neck. “He’s...he’s dead! It’s awful!”
“Who is?”
That was when Derby saw the body lying on the floor by the table. A tea service was set out, looking like someone was expecting a guest. One of the teacups was upturned, its contents dripping onto the floor.
Dripping onto Dobson’s body. He was on his front; his face turned towards the door. His face was flushed, but his lips were crusted, and there was foam coming from his mouth. His eyes were open, and Derby could already see the life had gone.
“Oh, God!” Rebecca wailed. She was still clinging onto him. “I can’t believe it!”
There were running footsteps, and Day and Hartley appeared at Derby’s side. Day stepped past Derby and headed into the room, crouching beside the body. More footsteps came, and Derby looked around to see Amy and Sarah entering the dining room. From where they were, they could see the body on the floor. Sarah gasped, her hands going to her mouth. Amy’s face went white as she saw Dobson. Then she looked up and saw Rebecca plastered up against Derby. Her mouth closed, and the look of pain had Derby’s chest tightening. He beckoned Sarah over.
“Sarah, look after Aunt Helen. Lord Hartley…” He transferred Rebecca, which was difficult when she was clutching tightly onto him, to the startled Viscount. “You take care of Miss Colburn.”
“I...of course.”
For once, Hartley didn’t argue. Derby turned back to Amy, only to find that she had gone. Panicking, he ran after her. He could hear Rebecca shrieking after him, but he didn’t care. He had to find Amy.
* * *
“Amy!”
Amy just kept running. Everything seemed to be crashing down around her. She and Sarah had followed the screams, only to see Dobson dead. That had frozen Amy to the spot. Then she had seen Derby. Rebecca was draped all over him, clinging on to him for dear life as she wailed. Her screams were bad enough, but Amy could only see how she was grabbing Derby like he was the last thing on earth for her.
Amy couldn’t stand around and see that. Coupled with seeing Derby’s valet dead on the floor was enough to make her run. She needed to get away and get some air. She tried to calm down, but all Amy could see right now was Rebecca Colburn.
She had glanced at Amy when Amy first appeared. Even through her tears, Rebecca had managed to smirk at her. It made Amy nauseous.
“Amy, wait a minute!”
Someone grabbed at her arm and spun her around. Amy screamed and tried to lash out, but Derby caught her wrist. She fought back.
“Let me go.”
But Derby’s hold on her tightened.
“Not a chance.”
He looked around and then hauled her through a nearby door into the linen cupboard. Slamming the door behind him, Derby pressed her up against the door.
“Amy, calm down!” He gave her a shake. “Look at me. What’s got into you?”
“What do you think?” Amy shot back. She slapped his hands away. “I’ve just seen a dead body. Coupled with that girl and you…”
“She found the body, Amy. She was hysterical.”
Amy snorted.
“You didn’t see the look she gave me. Even in her hysteria, it was calculated.” She looked away. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Rebecca Colburn murdered Dobson just, so she could have you come to her rescue.”
Derby reared back. He looked like Amy had slapped him.
“You really think Miss Colburn would do that?”
Now her thoughts weren’t racing, Amy realized how ridiculous that sounded. She had just seen a friend dead on the floor and a girl she despised grabbing onto Derby as if she owned him. Amy shuddered and buried her face in her hands.
“Forgive me, Daniel,” she said in a small voice. “I...I’ve never seen a dead body before. And when I saw her...I don’t know what I was thinking, but it wasn’t clear.”
“I noticed,” Derby grunted. He cupped her face in his hands, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You really think I would declare my intentions for you and then play around with Rebecca Colburn over my valet’s dead body? I’m not that sort of man, Amy.”
“I know, I…”
Derby silenced her with a kiss, drawing her into his arms.
“Don’t ever let that little witch lead you on again. She’s not important. You are.”
Now Amy was feeling like a fool. She wrapped her arms around Derby’s waist and hugged him, feeling his grip tighten around her in response.
“Forgive me.” She whispered.
“Oh, Amy.” Derby kissed her head. “I already have.”
They stayed like that for a moment. Any of the servants could have come into the linen cupboard and caught them in an embrace, but Amy didn’t care. Things were starting to come together, and the gravity of the situation was beginning to set in. Merseyside was dead. And now Stuart Dobson. Amy blinked back the tears and looked up at Derby. His expression was tight, and Amy could see tears in his eyes. She touched his face.
“Dobson…”
“I know.” Derby swallowed hard. “I...I think he knew something.”
“About Lord Merseyside’s murder?”
“Yes. There isn’t any other way I can comprehend anyone killing him.”
That was plausible. Amy couldn’t think of anyone who would want to kill Dobson, either. She frowned.
“But wouldn’t he have told you if he knew something? Stuart’s not the type of man to keep something to himself when it comes to you.”
“He should have done.” Derby rubbed at his eyes. “Maybe he didn’t really understand. Maybe he saw something, but he hasn’t thought it to be of any relevance yet.”
And the killer wanted to shut him up before he said anything. That was just chilling. Amy rested her forehead on his chest.
“Why is everyone dying? And why do I feel like I’m the reason for it?”
“What makes you think that?”
“I don’t know, but my
heart says I’m a part of it.”
Derby was silent. Then he threaded his fingers through Amy’s hair, tilting her head up to him. He pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth.
“You’re not a part of it, and you’re not responsible for any of this.”
“How do you know?”
“I know.” Derby stroked her cheek. “As for why people are dying around us, we’ll find out.”
