Isabel nodded and related what Freddy had told her of his early life and the reason for the blackmail.
When she had done so, she shuddered. ‘I almost felt sorry for him. A young man with the responsibility for a much younger sister has few options.’
‘There were other ways he could have made a living,’ Sebastian pointed out. ‘He chose his path because it was an easy assurance of quick money and provided ample opportunity for adding to the purse through other means, like blackmail.’
‘I was so naive. It never occurred to me that Anthony was so deeply unhappy. I just thought he didn’t want me.’
‘Did Freddy tell you why he thought Anthony had to be punished?’ Sebastian asked.
‘Anthony found the letters he had been using for the blackmail and refused to pay him. Freddy maintains he didn’t intend for him to die, but then he had no conscience when it came to burning you alive, so I’m not certain I believe him.’
Sebastian put his hands behind his head. ‘My stepfather once told me that there are four reasons men kill: love, hate, self-defence and money. Freddy had been blackmailing Anthony, and the money had dried up, but there was more to it than that. Freddy wanted the trappings of wealth. He craved respectability. Anthony was about to take all that away from him and throw him back on to the streets. As for your husband, I think Anthony was tired of leading his duplicitous life. He’d confessed to you and probably intended to work something out that would suit you both. From what Freddy and Georgiana Kendall both told me, he really did love you. I just don’t think he knew how to show love.’
A tear dribbled down Isabel’s cheek and she dashed it away.
‘He was so different when William was born. For a little while, I thought that we had reached that amicable relationship. That’s when I gave him the saddle. But after William died, he just turned on me. How is that love?’
‘Grief affects people in different ways, Isabel. I can’t answer for his actions.’
To prevent her from interrogating him further, he silenced her questions with his lips, and Isabel settled herself into the curve of his arm, her head resting against his shoulder. He kissed the honey-coloured hair, tasting the salt on his lips and pushing all thoughts of Freddy and Anthony away. He had been given another chance at love, and he was determined he would not lose this person or let the dark past shadow their future happiness.
‘Alder! Put that woman down!’
He heard his name on the wind and sat up to see two figures coming up the beach towards them. Isabel also sat up, her facepink with embarrassment. She tried to secure her wayward hair, but even Sebastian could see it needed a good wash and a comb. Nothing she could do would make her look anything less than a bedraggled sea nymph, and he loved her more for it.
They struggled to their feet, brushing sand from their clothes as Harry and Matt reached them. The younger man looked deathly pale and his arm was in a sling. Another figure, her blue dress flapping in the wind as she struggled to hold her bonnet, came running up the beach behind the men.
Connie threw herself not at Sebastian, but Isabel.
‘I am so glad you are all right. I feared the worst when I heard that monster had taken you! Did he hurt you?’
Isabel returned the girl’s warm embrace.
‘No, he didn’t hurt me. Just a few bruises.’
Connie turned to Sebastian, standing on tiptoes to give him a warm, sisterly kiss.
‘I thought I told you to wait in the coach,’ Matt chided.
Connie turned and gave her brother a hard stare.
Sebastian laughed. ‘Surely you didn’t entertain the notion your sister would listen to a word you say, Matt.’ He drew them both towards him, folding them in his arms. ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you both, and you, Harry. What news?’
Harry shook his head. ‘Bennet has seen Miss Lynch lodged with a widow in Hazlemere, and her leg has been set.’ He glanced at Matt. ‘We stopped on the way and found Miss Lynch in a distressed state, as you can imagine. Is there any news of her brother?’
Sebastian shook his head. ‘In the absence of a body, we can only assume he made good his escape.’
‘With all my jewellery. Enough to set himself up in some style,’ Isabel observed. ‘I think Fanny may well have seen the last of her brother.’
Harry patted his coat. ‘We found a box full of Somerton silver and expensive trinkets in the ruined coach and I have a signed statement from Miss Lynch giving her account of mattersas she knows them and exonerating you, Alder, of any responsibility towards her.’
‘It’s always nice to know I am not a rapist,’ Sebastian observed drily. He glanced out to sea. ‘I’m anxious to get back to Brantstone. Both Lady Somerton and I could do with a hot bath and some clean clothes.’
‘You do look rather disreputable,’ Matt said with a cheeky grin. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Very,’ Sebastian replied with a smile. ‘Now, has anyone got any money I can leave with old Mother Shipton for our board?’
Chapter Sixty-Four
