“Then let Miss Loveday go. She is only involved in this because we asked her to come to Painswick Court.”
Dr. Marsland nodded. “Miss Lotty suggested it to me privately even before you did. I discouraged the idea, but then you mentioned it right in front of her and Miss Lotty both. I was peeved initially, but more recently I realized it was a boon to have someone in the house to take the blame if the coroner suspected Lady Celia’s death was not natural. Especially someone with a grudge against the old woman. Someone besides me, that is.”
He drew back his shoulders as though donning a mantleand assuming another identity. Anne fleetingly wondered if he had been the person she’d seen disguised as King Charles.
“The constable and coroner will be here soon. So I shall have to leave Miss Stark out of it for now.” He gestured to the cell. “Let’s see ... I had caught the culprit for them, but Miss Loveday tried to escape, which left me with no choice.” He pulled a pistol from his pocket and pointed it at her.
Terror blazed through Anne’s every nerve.
“No!” Ernest shouted, lunging forward to put himself in front of Anne, but the chain jerked him back.
A shadow crossed the older man’s face. “I am sorry for Miss Lotty’s sake, yet it cannot be helped.”
“And Dr. Finch? Let’s see...” Again, he tapped his chin with his free hand. “Besotted fool was taken in by her claims of innocence, came rushing to her aid, and fell down the stairs.”
Ernest scoffed. “No one will believe you.”
“Oh, I think they will. I have been a trusted physician in this town for many years. Who would call my word into question?”
“I will,” replied a clear, strong voice.
They all turned. Dr. Marsland slipped the pistol back into his pocket, perhaps expecting the constable.
A figure appeared just inside the old door, bow in arms, cord pulled tight, arrow at the ready.
Shock jolted Anne.
King Charles I. She recognized the long curly hair, pointed beard and mustache, and royal robe. And the face of...
Katherine Fitzjohn.
Glowering at Dr. Marsland, she said, “I just saw Jude’s body. Did you use an arrow to implicate Jasper, or me?”
“Not you, my darling. Of course not you. Assuming you agree to marry me, I will make sure not the slightest shadow of suspicion falls on your lily-white self.”
“Don’t call me darling. I am not yours. Never have been.”
“That’s not true. There was a time you liked that endearment very well indeed.”
“That was a long time ago now. I was flattered by your attentions at first. You were older and wiser and well respected. It did not last.”
“Because your mother interfered.”
Katherine nodded, her aim never straying. “She did interfere. Yet I soon came to realize she was right. You and I would not have suited. Not then, and certainly not now.”
He frowned as if just noticing her costume. “Why are you dressed like that? It’s unbecoming for a lady of your station.”
“I have my reasons.”
He gestured toward her weapon. “Put that down, Katherine. Before you hurt someone.”
“Don’t worry. I only hit what I aim for, and I am aiming for your heart.”
His expression darkened. “You already had my heart, and you trampled it beneath your feet.”
He reached into his pocket and again pulled out the pistol.
Thwang.The arrow flew straight into his hand, knocking the gun from his grasp.
