Gwyneth sighed. “In that case, it is most likely Baron Randschen. The one thing I recall about our first meeting is overhearing the conversation about those boots. All the Prussian gentlemen favoured them at one time. A good idea never goes out of style.”
“That’s an excellent confirmation, my Lady.” Giles glanced at Jeremy. “Can you add anything? See anything that looks familiar?” He turned the piece of paper over in his hand. “The note tells me nothing. Just a set of letters and a time.” He tucked it into his pocket.
“I hate to ask, but if you could turn him over…” Jeremy’s voice held steady now.
“We probably should anyway. Can you give me a hand, lads? I’ll take his shoulders, you take his legs. Easy now…”
Gwyneth watched from a distance as they rolled the body onto its back. She shuddered at the red mess where his head should have been, but there had been enough time to prepare herself for the worst. Even so, she was happy that the two men left a bit of blanket over the worst of it.
Jeremy gave a little groan, but bravely examined what was left. And his head rose quickly as he nodded to Giles. “It’s Randschen. Look here.” He was pointing at something and Gwyneth couldn’t restrain the impulse to see what it was.
“This small pin. The deer antlers. I believe they’re Chamois deer antlers. That animal is native to Prussia and much prized as a hunting trophy I’m told.”
“You know this because…”
“The man I killed was wearing one. It snagged on Miss Susannah’s gown. I had to tear her lace to free her from it.”
Gwyneth moved to his side and once again took his hand. He gripped hers this time, and she held on, knowing they drew strength from each other.
Giles shook his head. “That’s definite then. Baron Randschen is dead.” He moved to Jeremy and Gwyneth. “Go back to the Manor. You can do no more here. I shall go with these fine lads and summon the authorities.”
Gwyneth nodded and turned, a little unsteady on her feet and still somewhat stunned by this unpleasant turn of events. She brushed against a rhododendron and almost fell—Jeremy caught her just in time.
“Gwyneth…are you all right?”
She nodded and looked down. “I tripped over something. A root perhaps…” Moving one foot she stirred the leaves beneath the shrub. “Oh God…”
There, lying crosswise where her foot had disturbed it, was a rifle.
Giles and Jeremy looked at each other.
She didn’t need words to understand where their thoughts were going. Hers were going there as well. She looked back along the path to the lawn. “He came this way, didn’t he?” She moved back out to solid ground and linked her arm tightly through Jeremy’s. “He came along here, with his gun, shot at us in the ballroom, then returned, leaving his rifle here under the bush. That way if he saw anyone, they’d think nothing of it.”
“I would say that is a logical reconstruction, my Lady,” agreed Giles. “I can also add that he was most likely returning to collect his weapon when he himself was attacked and killed.”
Silent for a moment, all three people stayed close, perhaps drawing comfort from each other’s presence.
Finally Gwyneth spoke. “We must go back and tell them, Jeremy.” She lifted her chin. “We can tell Evan that the man who shot him has paid the ultimate price. And we can now begin to live our lives without this shadow hanging over us.”
Jeremy’s smile dawned, warming Gwyneth’s heart. “Indeed we can, dear lady. Indeed we can.” He turned. “We’ll see you back at the Manor, Giles.”
Giles nodded and waved them away.
“I feel lighter already,” said Gwyneth as they emerged onto the smooth grass. “And look, the sun has come out. An excellent omen, wouldn’t you say?”
Jeremy looked down at her, glanced around, and then dropped a quick kiss on her upturned mouth. “I would say it’s a very good omen, sweet one. But there is one better. Your smile.Thatis the best omen of all.”
*~~*~~*
Giles stood silent guard as several men approached with a gate. On it was a pile of sacking with which to cover the body. The news had spread rapidly and not long after Gwyneth and Jeremy’s departure, word arrived that a cart was on its way through the wood. It would stop at the far end of the path, away from the Manor lawns.
The body would then be transported to the village and probably on to Little Maddington, where runners would be sent to Sir Gerald Ffolkesborough, the Lord Lieutenant. Giles would be quite happy to see it all loaded onto that man’s shoulders. There was no reason at all to include mention of anything to do with Wolfbridge, other than Randschen was a distant acquaintance of the Lady. He had no valuables on him, so robbery was the obvious motive.
As Giles saw that all was taken care of, he left the men with a word of thanks and a promise to be available should he be needed. Then he turned and made his own way down the path Jeremy and Gwyneth had taken earlier.
His steps were measured as his thoughts churned.
Did this crime truly mark the end of the blackmail threats against Gwyneth?
