“Very well. That leaves those in my household. My parents are not in town. Colin knew of the engagement, and my valet. I cannot see that any of these people would share their knowledge.”
“I agree,” said Lady Leighton. “Even for an offer of money.” She turned to Mrs. Jennings. “Could someone have overhead anything?”
“I can’t rule it out, but I believe it to be highly unlikely. All our staff have been here for many years, many used to work at Silverton Hall and are devoted to My Lady and Lady Jocelyn.”
“That leaves one possibility,” said Lord Leighton. “It occurred to me a few minutes ago and the more I mull it over, the more I think it very likely.”
Marcus nodded in his direction. “I think we may have come to the same conclusion.”
“I think it was Sir Jonathan himself, and what’s more I think he must have worked out the identity of the scandalmonger and made contact with her.” said Lord Leighton.
“Of course,” said Lady Leighton. “It must be Sir Jonathan.”
“But why?” asked Olivia. “Why would he do that?”
“Oh, many reasons,” said Jocelyn. “But I’d put envy high on that list.”
“He never expected you to turn him down my dear,” said the earl. “He’s always had an over inflated sense of his own importance. Despicable man.”
There was a knock on the door and Mrs. Jennings went to open it. She had a brief conversation with a footman who had handed her a letter. She brought it into the room with a look of concern on her face.
“I’m not usually fanciful, but something concerns me about how this letter arrived. Jason, the junior footman, tells me it was found on the doorstep, tied to a bouquet of dead roses and addressed to Lady Olivia. The flowers are saved in the kitchen if anyone wishes to examine them.”
“Can I see the letter?” asked Marcus. He turned to Olivia “I know it is addressed to you, but I cannot believe it contains anything pleasant. Let me open it and tell you the message it contains.”
The room fell silent as he cut open the letter and unfolded the foolscap paper.
His expression turned grim.
“As we thought, it is not a pleasant letter. How predictable and boring our gossipmonger is.” He turned to Olivia. “It seems you must not marry me. You should immediately return to a life of seclusion, which is where this poisonous writer believes you should stay. If you marry me then there will be dire consequences for members of your family.”
He moved across to his fiancée and took her hand. “I gather this is the first time that she has addressed you directly?”
“Yes, it’s always been via the scandal sheets. We know that Lady Cressida also spins lies and spreads gossip as she did it here at the ball.”
‘Someone may have seen this being delivered. I’ll set the investigators I have working on this to look into that too. It seems clear the letter is designed to make Olivia fearful of marrying me.”
“She doesn’t know me very well,” said Olivia with gritty determination.
“So, you still wish to marry me?” he asked with a wry smile.
“I’m more determined than ever,” she asserted. “We can start planning the wedding tomorrow.”
The earl stood, and clapped Marcus on the back in thanks. “We’re all grateful for your efforts my boy. I’ll be glad to welcome you into the family. Stay to supper.”
Later Marcus went to examine the letter and felt sure it was written by a woman. The message it contained was blunt. There would be dire consequences if Olivia became engaged to him.
Your plan has backfired Lady Cressida,he thought.You have made us all more determined to press forward and announce the engagement.
Chapter 23
Cressida looked into her mirror, pleased at what she saw. Her complexion looked good, and her maid had dressed her hair into an elaborate coiled arrangement.
She hoped that simpering baggage, Lady Olivia Sherwyn, was already on her way back to that country estate where she belonged. She’d wondered if a direct letter of warning might be a step too far, but it could not be traced back to her, and would reinforce the message on the gossip sheet which was circulating around the drawing rooms of society.
I don’t believe I’d want Lord Hatfield now, if he was offered to me on a silver salver,she laughed, almost a cackle.
A new development in the form of Sir Jonathan Ellington had been a surprise. When the poor man visited, he had been seething with anger at Lady Olivia’s refusal of his offer of marriage. She listened, and worked out that beneath his calm appearance, lay a desperate man who faced ruin if he didn’t find money soon.
