“Before you do so . . .” interjected Charlotte. The boys had flattened their backs against the dark wainscoting and gone very still—hoping, no doubt, that their presence would be forgotten. But despite them being worldly beyond their years, Charlotte decided that the coming confession was not something they ought to hear. Following Wrexford’s lead, she had never inquired as to why McClellan had left Scotland. But one didn’t require much imagination to suspect that it wasn’t because of a minor transgression.
The earl shifted his gaze to the shadowed corner of the room. “Weasels—and that includes you, Peregrine,” he intoned. “We have matters to discuss in private.”
It was said softly, but Raven rose without argument, wise enough to hear its underlying note of steel, and marched for the door, his brother and Peregrine right on his heels.
At the last moment, however, Hawk wavered and came to a halt by Charlotte. “A-Are you going to send Mac away because. . .” His voice hitched. “Because she did something bad?”
Charlotte crouched down and pulled him into a fierce hug. “Of course not, sweeting. Mac is family. We simply need to hear what the problem is so that we can help.”
The quivering of his mouth stilled, the corners curling up ever so slightly as he turned to McClellan. “Don’t worry, Mac. We will help, too.”
The maid swallowed a watery sniff. “Well, then, I know I have nothing to fear if the Weasels are on my side.”
He flashed a gap-toothed grin before hurrying away.
Maintaining a sympathetic silence, Wrexford fished a handkerchief from his pocket and handed to McClellan. The maid was by nature a stoic—in that they were kindred souls—so he sensed how painful the moment must be for her.
The maid wiped the tears from her cheeks and blew her nose before carefully refolding the damp silk and setting it on her lap. “My apologies, everyone. I shall endeavor to spare you any further theatrics. As for confessing my crime, you’re right. It’s time you all know.”
“I assume it has to do with Lord Taviot,” guessed Charlotte. “He must have been one of the gentlemen who strolled past us on Bond Street.”
McClellan nodded.
“So, did you purloin his priceless family jewels?” drawled the earl.
A mirthless laugh. “No, I picked up a poker and smashed in the skull of his younger brother, then pushed the miscreant’s dead body over the stone ledge of his bedchamber window.”
The dowager slowly raised her quizzing glass, the lens magnifying the brilliant blue glitter of her sapphirine eye. “Well, I daresay the miscreant deserved it. I’ve done a bit more delving into the family and its doings, and by all accounts, the youngest of the Taviot siblings was a thoroughly despicable fellow.”
“True,” agreed McClellan. “Though I am under no illusion that the laws of the land gave me the right to be his judge and executioner.” She shrugged. “Nonetheless, I did so.”
“With good reason, I imagine,” murmured Charlotte. “My guess is, he was trying to rape a servant?”
“A newly hired Highland lass, who had not yet been warned never to stray to that part of the castle,” answered McClellan. “I had heard from other servants when I arrived to take the post that the miscreant was particularly vicious about forcing himself on women after he had consumed several bottles of whisky.”
“You deserve a medal,” muttered Cordelia.
“Scotland would more likely be of the opinion that I deserve a noose around the neck.” A pause. “However, I decided not to stay in my position as mistress of the female staff long enough to find out for sure.”
“Taking a life is a grave thing,” said Wrexford after several long moments of silence.
“It is, milord,” agreed McClellan. “I have blood on my hands, and if you wish to call Griffin, I shall willingly go with him to answer for my crimes.”
All eyes were now focused on the earl.
“The laws of the land are the laws of the land,” began Wrexford.
Tyler bowed his head, hiding his expression.
“But as we hold no official mandate to enforce them, I suggest we leave the matter for the proper authorities to settle.” He looked around. “Are we all agreed?”
Everyone voiced a heartfelt assent.
“Then we need not speak of this again.”
McClellan tightened her grip on the earl’s handkerchief. “Words can’t express my gratitude to all of you for your faith in me.”
“Auch, we’ve come to be family,” said Henning. “We know there’s not a speck of blackness in your heart.”
