“I will not approach the bastards. But if they bring the fight to me, I will not back down.”
“Understood. Now, you mentioned you had more than one potential culprit in mind?”
“Yes, there’s a fellow named Dobson Gill. He worked here briefly as a footman, but my butler caught him stealing. I sacked him without pay, and he wasn’t happy about it. He issued some threats but left when I threatened to summon the constables.”
“Can you provide a description of Mr. Gill, my lord?”
“Fair, with a burly build, five feet and nine or ten inches tall. He claimed he’d worked as a footman in several local homes. Brunswick will have the details.”
“Very good, sir.” Rawlins jotted some notes. “Are there any other candidates who come to mind? People with whom you have had recent conflict…who might wish you ill?”
Ethan hesitated as another name suddenly surfaced. One he hadn’t considered until Rawlins phrased the question that way. But he didn’t wish to discuss the person in front of the others.
“No,” he said.
“Then I’ve no further questions.” Rawlins closed his notebook. “If I may have a word, my lord?”
The others left, leaving Ethan alone with the constable.
“Now that we have privacy, would you care to add anything else?”
Since the constable was as acute as Ethan had suspected, he went with his gut. “I do not think this amounts to anything,” he said, “but I had a recent falling-out. With a fellow who used to be a friend.”
“What was this disagreement over?”
“He had been carrying on with my betrothed.”
In speaking of the betrayal, Ethan was surprised that he felt less of a burn now and more of a sting. He realized that he had, in fact, dodged a bullet. If he’d married Constance, he would not have met Xenia. He would not have discovered the difference between contentment and happiness. Although things were far from settled with Xenia, being with her made him feel happy, lighter, and more optimistic about the future…more like himself again.
This awareness allowed him to relate his past matter-of-factly.
“Right before our wedding, my fiancée left me a note calling it off because she was in love with my friend. This friend paid me a visit a few days later. Apparently, my former betrothed couldn’t bear the pain of the scandal and being called a jilt, and he begged me, for her sake, to make it publicly known that the decision to end the engagement had been mutual. I refused to lie, and things got…unpleasant.”
You’re a selfish bounder, Harrington.Blake’s righteous anger blazed in Ethan’s head.For years,you’ve been wallowing in self-pity and taking Constance for granted. Can you blame her for turning to me for comfort when you gave so little? All I am asking now is that you lessen her pain…but you won’t even do that. Well, I hope you reap the suffering you’ve caused a thousandfold, you bloody ungrateful sod.
Blake had broken a few things before slamming his way out.
“What is this gentleman’s name?” Rawlins inquired.
Despite the bad blood, Ethan felt loathe to give it. To betray Blake, which was rich. Yet he could not fathom his former crony stooping to staging a haunting…and for what purpose? To scare Ethan? Make him feel as unsettled as Blake and Constance were in their new life together? The pieces did not quite fit.
“It is of no consequence,” he said.
“But my lord?—”
“If I have cause to believe this friend is responsible, I will let you know.”
Rawlins acquiesced. “As you wish. I will keep you apprised of developments concerning Harlow and Gill. In the meantime, I must urge you to take precautions for your safety and those of your guests. Vigilance is key.”
“I will secure the manor and the safety of those in it,” Ethan vowed.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Three days later, Xenia passed one of the guards in the corridor. He, along with four others, had arrived the day before from London. Ethan had hired them to do round-the-clock surveillance of the estate, and they worked in shifts, taking turns sleeping. Although the men were friendly, Xenia felt as nervous around them as she had the constable. Her upbringing had given her a fear of police, guards, and others who upheld the law that she could not shake.
A part of her briefly considered leaving. But she couldn’t, of course. She was falling in love with Ethan more and more each day. She couldn’t abandon him in his time of need, and she wanted to help him with his troubles. Thus, she’d resolved to stay as long as she could…until she had no choice but to run.
Maybe Mama won’t find me this time. Maybe I can find a way to be safe.
