“Yes, as you see. There is something about me and bullets. They have a fondness for lodging in my body.”
Cooper’s mouth quirked, then he lifted the pad made of handkerchiefs and examined the wound.
“The bleeding is already lessening. Colonel, if we return to Elvaston, I may remove the ball and bind you properly. We must also attend to the gunman.”
Richard’s expression tightened. “I do not trust that it is safe to return to Elvaston. There may be others waiting for us there.”
Cooper asked, “May I speak freely, Colonel?”
“Yes. Speak. These ladies have a right to know all that has occurred.”
“Lord Manvers is dead.”
Lady Harrington lifted her hand to her mouth and managed a single, strangled word.
“Dead?”
The two sisters looked stricken.
Richard was sharp. “How do you know this?”
“I saw the servants carry out a coffin, sir, and I questioned a kitchen maid. She told me the Earl was shot in the back two days ago.”
The women murmured.
Cooper continued. “And the young man who fired upon you confessed it. He says he killed Manvers in order to save the woman he loves.”
He turned toward the women. “He spoke the name, Abby.”
Lady Abigail cried out. “No. It cannot be true. Do not tell me Giles killed the Earl.”
Richard frowned. “Who is Giles?”
Her mother answered.
“Giles Clarke, the son of one of our tenants. He has loved Abby since they were children.”
Lady Abigail cried, “I must see him. Is he dying?”
She ran down the road, and Lady Anise ran after her.
Richard turned back to Cooper.
“Is there more?”
“That young fool killed Manvers when it was known that Manvers had their father murdered.”
Richard’s jaw tightened. “What a shame. If he lives, he will hang. Are there others involved?”
“No, Colonel. He acted alone.”
“Well, that is a mercy. At least we shall not be obliged to fend off a horde of men, and the women are no longer in danger, with Manvers out of the way and this young fool quite out of commission.”
Cooper said, “But Manvers must have hired a man to cut the shaft. Someone who had access to Harrington’s carriage.”
Lady Harrington’s voice was broken. “No, not one of our household servants. How can this be?”
“Perhaps not, my Lady, but we will need to look into the matter more closely.”
