Lady Anise spoke then for the first time.
“Do you believe our father was killed? To release the mortgages?”
Richard shook his head.
“No. There will be signed documents that protect the rights of the lender, who holds the claim until the debt is repaid in full. I believe Manvers may have killed your father to remove him as an obstacle. If your father refused to permit a marriage between your sister and the Earl, then Manvers may have resolved to remove him.”
Lady Abigail reached for her sister’s hand.
Richard continued. “I believe the three of you should come with us. My cousin resides nearby in Derbyshire, near Bakewell. He can keep you safe while we resolve this.”
Lady Abigail asked in a tentative voice, “Colonel, might you take us to Matlock instead? Is Lord Stafford at Haddon Hall? Perhaps my mother and I could assist your mother in his care.”
Richard turned to Darcy. “What think you, Darcy? It is much the same distance from here to Pemberley as it is to Haddon Hall.”
Darcy considered the request.
“Your mother is there, which makes it perfectly proper. More proper than sheltering in a bachelor’s home.”
Richard straightened. “Very well. Have your maids pack your trunks. I hope to depart within two hours.”
The three women rose.
Darcy added, “Do not tell anyone you are going to Haddon, lest one of the servants be in the Earl’s pay. Tell them you are to be taken to London.”
Lady Harrington turned to Richard.
“Colonel, shall I order our carriage?”
“Yes, pray do. You and your daughters shall travel in your own carriage, and ours will follow behind. We will ride alongside, armed and prepared to offer you our protection.”
The three women withdrew, while Richard and Darcy remained in the drawing room.
Darcy ventured. “This matter appears to rest entirely upon money.”
“Yes,” Richard replied. “And Phillip placed himself between Manvers and his quarry and now may be dying on account of the Earl’s greed.”
Darcy replied. “None of this could have been foreseen.”
Peter Miller entered the room. “Sir, the carriage shaft was sawn nearly three-quarters through. It required only a deep rut in the road for it to snap.”
Darcy and his cousin exchanged a grave look.
“We must take every precaution transporting these women,” Richard said. “Both of them are worth a fortune. Miller, ask the coachman to ensure the Harrington carriage is fit for travel.”
“Yes, Colonel.” The footman excused himself and returned to the coach house.
When the women returned, dressed for travel, Richard addressed them, not holding anything back.
“Lady Harrington, we have determined that your husband’s death was intentional. The shaft had been sawn through, and this caused the fatal accident.”
The three women paled.
He continued. “After we remove you to Haddon Hall, Darcy and I will return to uncover the man responsible.”
Lady Harrington turned to her daughters. “Come, girls. We have no time to lose. We are not safe here.”
Outside, the Miller brothers stood watch with muskets in hand as the three women were assisted into the carriage. The Colonel directed Darcy to ride with the ladies, carrying two loaded pistols, his musket, and the spadroon besides. Richard and Darcy’s footmen rode in advance, searching the road and the surrounding landscape for any threat.
