“I don’t know if I would do the same for the woman I loved.”
“Then you have never been in love, Havers. You would have not a single doubt if your heart had been claimed. You would sacrifice everything to keep her safe.”
“My lord, why did you never tell Lady Gregoria how you felt? Were you always in love with her? If so, why did you hide it from her?”
“Because I was a fool. There. Satisfied? Does this put me back in as one of your prime suspects?”
Havers shrugged. “Maybe.”
Julius frowned. “Seriously?”
“No, my lord. In truth, you are at the bottom of my list of suspects. It is also possible Lord Allendale and Lady Easton will also be ruled out.”
“And Lady Gregoria?”
“I cannot rule her out yet. But we still have much to delve into. Lord Easton’s business dealings are next to be explored. Perhaps this crime might turn out to have nothing to do with spouses or potential husbands…or nieces who are impatient to claim their fat inheritance.”
“But you don’t think this has anything to do with the earl’s business connections, do you?” Julius remarked.
“In truth, I do not. It is the wedding gown, you see,” Havers replied. “It simply does not fit for a business acquaintance to go to those lengths. Far too personal. Far too time consuming. Quite vindictively designed to draw attention to Lady Gregoria.”
“Agreed,” Julius muttered.
Havers slapped his hands to his thighs and rose. “It is time for me to speak to Lady Gregoria herself. But it must be done without you present, Lord Thorne.”
Julius immediately tensed. “Why exclude me? She isn’t well. I am not going to allow you to browbeat her. I’m staying.”
“No.” He cast Julius a hard look. “I may be inclined to eliminate you as a suspect, but I have done no such thing yet with Lady Gregoria. I will have you locked up if you attempt to interfere with my investigation.”
“Blast it, Havers. She–”
“Does not need you interfering with her answers and needlessly creating suspicion about her motives. If she is innocent, I will know it.”
“That remains to be determined.”
“Yes, it does,” Havers replied. “So let me determine it and rule her out.”
Julius did not know the man well enough to trust his motives.
Ambition was known to corrupt men, and was Havers not one of the London magistrate’s top inspectors? What if he sought to make a name for himself by using Gory as his scapegoat?
“Here is what I propose,” Julius said, because he would never allow anyone to take advantage of Gory. “I remain in the room, but promise to keep my distance and keep my mouth shut.”
“No matter how outrageous my questions?”
Julius nodded. “However, I also promise to maim you afterward if you get out of line with her. Lady Gregoria is to be treated with respect.”
He thought Havers would offer more argument, but he simply laughed. “Is this what love does to a man? Turns him into a lovesick boar?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I do not care what you think of me, but I do care what happens to her. I intend to protect her at all costs, whether from the real killer or from you.” Julius was not looking to start a fight with Havers. He just wanted the culprit apprehended before he could do Gory more harm.
“All right, we have a deal.”
Julius led Havers upstairs.
The door to his bedchamber was open and Mrs. Quinn was plumping Gory’s pillows as they entered.
Gory cast him a tired smile. “More visitors?”
