She nodded. “The poor woman. Did they have children?”
“I don’t know.” The thought of how little he knew about the brave Ferrell made him sad. He should have done more. Been more wary.
Not only that, but the last thing Michael wanted to do was break the news of her husband’s death to Mrs. Ferrell. He felt awkward.
He needn’t have worried. Dara handled the matter.
In the gentlest, kindest way, she told Mrs. Ferrell the news. There was a moment of shocked silence, and then Mrs. Ferrell broke down into tears.
Dara held her until she could cry no more. “Do you have friends?” Dara asked gently. “Someone who can gather your husband’s body?”
“His brother lives next door. The red door.”
“Michael, will you fetch him?” She turned back to Mrs. Ferrell. “Does he have a wife? Or do you have good friends?”
Mrs. Ferrell nodded, not specifying which before giving in to fresh tears.
It didn’t matter. Michael was happy to escape, although telling the man that his brother had been murdered wasn’t easy either. The wife came over to be with Mrs. Ferrell. The brother went off to knock on friends’ doors to help him carry the body home.
Within the hour, the Ferrell house was filled with women ready to support his wife during this hard time. Dara was in the center of it all. She was introduced to them and included in their concern for Mrs. Ferrell. She and Michael were there when the body, wrapped in canvas, was brought through the door. Dara even organized laying him out on a table in the sitting room.
Michael was in awe of her. She was strong, competent, and beautiful.
The hour was well past midnight when they left.
“The hack is still here?” Dara asked in surprise.
“I paid him to be here,” Michael answered.
“That is expensive. Another reason why you do not wish to be disinherited.”
Michael smiled, impressed. “Do you gnaw on every bone?”
“Apparently so,” she answered as he helped her into the vehicle.
After the door shut and the vehicle began moving, she said, “I hate whoever killed Mr. Ferrell. They have destroyed that woman’s life.”
“Yes.”
“What are we going to do for her?”
“Catch them. Make whoever is behind this answer in a court of law.”
She leaned back against the seat. “It doesn’t seem enough.”
He understood. He also knew that he would have to cancel his meeting with Gammon. Without Ferrell, he didn’t have proof. Ferrell had known the details. He’d had the facts to answer any questions that might be asked.
Dara stared out the window a moment and then said, “Where are we going? This isn’t the way to the Reeves’ rout. We need to fetch our hats, and I know my sister and aunt are worried.”
“After Sir Duncan’s death, the Reeves’ dance probably came to an abrupt end.”
“You may be right.” A somber silence settled over her. She looked tired, as if matters weighed on her. She closed her eyes.
Michael hated that he was going to add to her worries. Dara was not going to be happy with his decision once she realized what he had in mind. If she thought she was right about a matter, she didn’t give up.
Neither did he.
They were quiet the rest of the way. The movement of the carriage seemed to lull her to sleep. Michael yearned to pull her over to his lap to keep her comfortable.
