“Surely not,” Greyson said.
“It wouldn’t be the first time someone has killed for money,” Rexford said. “If my own father had produced another son, I have no doubt he would have tried to dispose of me long before now.”
“You did yourself no favors earlier this year,” Greyson said.
Fairfax grinned. “But it was incredible watching the Duke of Sherbourne receive his comeuppance.” Fairfax turned to me. “What did you overhear?”
“Tuttleford was very unhappy Diana had a season. Apparently, his wife insisted on bringing her niece, no doubt to quell speculation. And it was her job to ensure Diana remained a wallflower.”
“She did an admirable job of downplaying her niece’s appearance,” Greyson said.
I nodded. “She’s no diamond, but the young girl I knew was pretty enough. Not this walking shadow her aunt has turned her into. At any rate, before I clumsily gave away my position, Tuttleford issued a threat.” All eyes were on me as I continued. “It would be tragic if an accident were to befall her as well.”
Greyson swore. “How did her parents die?”
“I don’t know the details of her father’s death. It happened a year before her mother’s. There was some type of accident in one of his factories.”
“And her mother?” Fairfax asked.
I thought back to my mother’s stricken expression when she’d conveyed the news to me. Mother had been heartbroken. And very upset that she hadn’t been able to attend the funeral. The Tuttlefords had whisked Diana away in the dark of night.
“Lady Atherton died in a carriage accident.”
Rexford’s eyes narrowed. “And now Tuttleford is threatening Miss Atherton.”
I nodded. “I’m afraid something will happen to Diana before she reaches her age of majority. As her only living relative, Lady Tuttleford would likely inherit.”
Fairfax nodded. “So we must stop them.”
Relief filled me as I took in the determined expressions on my friend’s faces. Moreland and Kendrick weren’t here in person, but they were here in spirit. If I needed their help, they wouldn’t hesitate.
“Kendrick just got married today, but Moreland should be here,” Greyson said.
Fairfax nodded. “I’ll fill him in on what’s happening, and Kendrick as well when we’ve decided on a course of action. But their assistance might not be needed.” He met my gaze. “You know what you have to do, correct?”
I frowned. “If I knew what to do, I wouldn’t have called the three of you here. Diana is under the guardianship of the Tuttlefords. Until she reaches her age of majority, she can’t leave.”
Fairfax grinned. “You need to take her.”
CHAPTER 6
CLIFTON
Fairfax was clearly delighted with himself.
Somehow, I refrained from wiping the smile from his face. “Have you taken leave of your senses? This isn’t the time for your nonsense.”
His grin widened. “Apparently, that’s what we do now, correct? We rescue young women?”
My eyes narrowed. “This isn’t one of your games.”
“Fairfax is correct.” Speechless, I stared at Rexford as he continued, “If you weren’t concerned for the girl, you wouldn’t have brought this matter to the group. And from what you’ve said, the only way to help is to involve ourselves directly.”
“I could take her,” Fairfax said.
The alarm I felt at his gleeful announcement shocked me. “No. She barely knows you. You can’t just take her.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be too difficult. She wouldn’t be the first woman I’ve seduced.”
