“My father was the French spy your father betrayed.”
“Lavigne?”
“The very one. Your father double-crossed mine and told the English he was a spy and produced proof. He was then hanged.”
Eloise spat on the ground showing her disgust.
“Let my sister breathe easier, please,” Samantha said, looking at Maddie.
Her gag was removed. Like her, Maddie inhaled deeply.
“It was you who attempted to kidnap me twice before?”
“Your family thwarted me, but not this time.” His mouth thinned. “This time they will never find you.”
“But if you were going to kidnap me, why did you send that note? Why lure me to the Duck and Goose and shoot one of my family?”
“I know nothing of a note.” His frown looked genuine to Samantha.
So, they were right, there was another who had sent that blackmail letter and shot Warwick.
“I know only that you were leaving Ireland, so I departed first. I then collected my sister, and we waited and watched to see which boat you came across on. We then followed you to that inn, the day you walked outside.”
“How did you know I would do that?”
“I didn’t. We were waiting to watch you leave when I saw you standing there looking up and down the road, I knew it was the opportunity we needed.”
“But Warwick rescued me.”
His mouth tightened.
“So, you definitely are not behind those blackmail letters?” Maddie asked. “Or luring my sister to the Duck and Goose?”
“I have no notion of what you speak of.” Blanchet, correction, Lavigne frowned.
“But I do.”
They all turned as one to look at who had spoken. She saw the gun and the arm holding it. When he stepped closer, she recognized him.
“You were in the tea shop the day we met Miss Nightingale.”
“I was.” He nodded.
“Who are you?” Lavigne regained his feet.
“Drop the gun,” the man said. “Now, or I shoot her.” His gun was pointed at Eloise.
Cursing, Lavigne did as he was asked.
“Kick it here.”
“Who are you?” Samantha asked this time.
“I am the bastard son of your father’s most faithful man of affairs. You and I met in the Duck and Goose, my lady.”
“Breel,” Maddie whispered. “Even I have heard of that horrid individual.”
“I will not refute that. My father was not a nice man. However, the possessions I was left of his were useful. Or they were when I finally searched through them.”
