Chapter Thirty
After all the excitement had died down, and Hecate had recovered enough to make her way downstairs on Finn’s arm, it was decided they’d gather in Letitia’s parlour.
The door to the library was closed tightly and even now, a couple of footmen were inside nailing boards over the shattered window. The distant banging was a reminder of the events of this night. Nobody wanted to look out onto the terrace.
The authorities had been summoned, informed of the accident that had sadly taken the life of Lord Aubrey Faversill, and had removed his mortal remains.
It had taken almost two hours to reach this point, and everyone was feeling the after-effects of their experiences.
“What now, d’you think?” asked Kitty, leaning against Max.
Perry took a healthy swallow of his favourite Scotch whiskey. “If I’m any judge of people, and I like to think that I am, this story will be all over town by this time tomorrow. Not the death of Faversill, but the confession he made beforehand.”
“Agreed,” nodded James. “Our guests have seen death before, in many guises. But the notion that a commanding officer could shoot one of his men in the back…well, that is untenable. And we didn’t even have to suggest a reason for it. They were immediately aware of why he’d done it. Apparently he’d made a lot of fuss about his accession to the title.” Perry sighed. “He really was the most appalling man, wasn’t he?”
“I can’t help feeling I drove him to his death,” murmured Hecate. “I swore never to use my gifts for anything other than good. Truly. And yet tonight…what have I done?” She reached for Finn’s hand, knowing his warmth would comfort her.
“You didnotdrive him to his death, Miss Hecate.” Perry gave her a stern gaze. “You helped show him evidence of his wrongdoing. It was his conscience that drove him to his death.” He frowned. “Well, that and the large amount of port he must have consumed to develop such a paunch.”
Max’s lips twitched. “So we blame liquor and gravity?”
“I prefer to blame the weather,” said James thoughtfully. “After all, the snow did make the balcony rather slippery…”
“And when someone with a more than a passing resemblance to a cannonball hit that slick stone…”
“Oh stop, gentlemen, please.” Kitty held her hands over her ears, trying desperately not to laugh. “This is terribly unseemly.”
“You’re absolutely right, darling.” James nodded.
“Quite so, Letitia.” Max agreed.
“Absolutely, my dear.” Perry swallowed.
“Well I think it’s bloody terrific,” grinned Finn.
And everyone burst into inappropriate but genuine laughter.
It was a release, thought Hecate as she joined them. They’d been strung so tightly, unsure if her plan would work, and even if it did, what might it lead to… Now it was all done, tied up with an effective, if rather unpleasant, bow.
All that remained was for the authorities to make sure the Faversill estate reverted to the Marchville family, as it had been intended all along, and that would be out of their hands.
*~~*~~*
Hecate and Finn decided to take advantage of James’s offer of a ride down to Ridlington. He and Letitia were heading to FitzArden House for a month or two, where they could relax, spend time with the family and if they were lucky, get a visit from Paul and Harriet.
Hecate was pleased to learn that they were also doing well, even though Paul chafed a little at his new title of Viscount Purlieu.
It seemed as though the entire family had successfully turned a very large corner after the old Baron’s death. They were all now headed onto a road that led to happiness, fulfilment and many of the other things that indicated a life well-lived.
Passing time in the carriage with James and Letitia was no problem at all, since James and Finn shared a liking for very bad jests, long, drawn-stories that were completely fictitious and outdoing each other at their knowledge of useless bits of information.
The ladies rolled their eyes, but laughed anyway, and Hecate was almost sad to see Ridlington Chase, since she’d laughed so hard she’d given herself a stitch.
Once indoors, they had to recount the adventure once again for Edmund and Rosaline, and then for a final time when Tabby and Simon joined them for dinner.
It was a joyous interlude, and when Hecate and Finn finally retired for the night, closing themselves away in the tower chamber, they were still smiling.
She groaned as she leaned over to unfasten her shoes.
