“Not yet.” Carolyn took a deep breath. “Not until I have evidence against him.”
“Who is it?”
“I believe it was Lord Wentworth’s brother, Ignatius Burke.”
Maxey shook her head. She had never met the man, let alone heard about him. Why hadn’t Lord and Lady Wentworth mentioned this name before?
“What makes you think it’s him?”
Carolyn left the chair and moved toward the hearth, stopping in front as she stared at the flames licking the rock wall. “Ignatius has always envied my husband’s title, but he was cast out from the family ten years ago. When William’s father died, and he inherited the title and lands, Iggy tried to get William to welcome him back into the family. William refused.”
Maxey wanted to ask what had caused the family to disinherit Ignatius Burke, but it wasn’t her place.
“Does Mr. Burke hate his older brother enough to kill him?”
Carolyn shrugged and faced Maxey. “I don’t know. I hope not, but… Well, there’s something else.”
“What?”
“William’s father’s ring is missing from the jewelry box. There is only one person who could have taken it.”
“Ignatius Burke?”
Another tear slid from Carolyn’s eye as she nodded. “That ring belongs to Joshua now that William is dead.”
Maxey stood and walked toward her employer. Her chest tightened from the stress that Carolyn had suffered. “What can I do to help?”
“I need you to find Ignatius Burke for me before the police inspector finds him.”
Confusion filled Maxey, and she shook her head. “Why? Just tell Inspector Freeman of your suspicions.”
“Because I know the police inspector. He will arrest Iggy without any proof. Although Iggy has been disinherited from his family, William wouldn’t want his brother arrested if he were innocent.”
“How do you expect me to find the proof?”
“He will have William’s ruby ring with the Wentworth crest.”
Maxey’s stomach churned with indecision. She wanted to help Carolyn, but a police inspector she was not.
“What about the children?” Maxey asked, wringing her hands against her middle. “Who will watch over them while I’m gone?”
“My sister is coming to stay with me for a month to help me adjust. I’ll ask her to bring her governess.”
“I…don’t know. What if I cannot find Ignatius Burke? And what if Inspector Freeman suspects me, since I’m not with the children?”
Carolyn touched Maxey’s shoulder. “Let me take care of the inspector. I’ll give you all the information I have on my brother-in-law. Also, take Sally with you. She is a devoted maid and will do anything to help find William’s killer.”
Knowing Sally was coming along eased Maxey’s nerves slightly. But she had never done anything like this before.
A thought popped into her head, and she wanted to chuckle but refrained. Her favorite cousin, Alexandria Templeton, loved to write mystery stories. Wouldn’t her cousin love to write about this one? If only Maxey knew the story would end happily, but therein lay the issue. She feared this would be very dangerous.
Chapter One
Lake District, 1857
Not daring tomove or make a sound, Maxey Littleton stood in a cluster of trees and watched as a brown, furry rat crept toward her. As the rodent moved closer, she wished she could blend into the tree she had flattened her back against. If that blasted creature came any closer, she feared she would scream. That was not good, especially if her main purpose was to stay hidden.
Her heart pounded faster, loud enough to alert the deaf, she was certain. She breathed as calmly as possible, waiting for the rat’s next move. Her mission tonight was not about the threat gradually getting closer. Instead, she needed to concentrate on a different type of rat. To be more precise, this particular rodent was robust and handsome and currently entertained himself at the soirée across the street.
