I took a deep breath, well aware that I could not take back my next words. Even if I ended up being proved wrong, it would not erase this betrayal. “That he lied about knowing my husband because they were both involved in some illegal activity in Greece.” I had explored every possibility, but this continued to be the explanation that made the most sense. I could feel Mr. Dorian’s heavy gaze upon me, but I could not look at him now. “My father also knew this information and may have unwillingly revealed it to Charles Pearson. On the night of the party, or perhaps even before, I suspect Charles Pearson confronted Lord Linden and promised to keep quiet in exchange for money that he desperately needed.”
“You mean blackmail,” the inspector said.
“Yes,” I replied.
Mr. Dorian swore beside me.
“Charles Pearson was indeed in debt,” Inspector Dorian said. “But according to my sources, he planned to marry your sister, who has a large dowry.”
“That is true,” I conceded. “But then you must also know that he was still legally married to someone else. And I don’tthink she intended to go quietly without getting something for her trouble.”
“So the money was for her, then,” the inspector said.
“That is my theory.”
He narrowed his eyes as he mulled this over, then turned to Mr. Dorian. “What do you think?”
“It’s worth a try,” he said. “Unless you have a better idea, of course.”
The inspector barked a laugh. “Unfortunately, we do not. Which is the only reason I’m even considering this,” he said, shooting me a severe look. “What do you have in mind?”
“Well, Lord Linden and I are supposed to attend a lecture tomorrow evening,” I began, and noted Mr. Dorian stiffen. “I thought that perhaps I could confront him there while you waited in a concealed location.”
“That sounds like a plot out of one of his books,” the inspector said dismissively.
“It is not the most elegant plan,” I admitted. “But I do think that if I confront Lord Linden, he will admit to … something.”
The inspector looked unimpressed. “And why is that?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Because men like him do not respond well to being challenged. And I think he is just arrogant enough to believe that he will get away with this.”
“I don’t like it,” Mr. Dorian suddenly grumbled. “It puts you in a vulnerable position. And if we really think this man is capable of murder, then what will stop him from trying to harm you?”
“That is why the inspector will be on the scene,” I said.
“Anything could happen in the space of a moment, Minnie,” Mr. Dorian murmured.
I could feel the inspector’s curious gaze flicking between us, but I remained undaunted.
“I plan to do this with or without you,” I pronounced. “So it is entirely your choice whether or not you attend.”
Mr. Dorian let out an exasperated huff. “Don’t be absurd—”
“Now, now,” the inspector said as he raised a hand. “I don’t think it needs to come to that. I will attend, if only to hear what the man has to say for himself. But if you don’t get the answers you are seeking, Mrs. Harper, then you must promise not to involve yourself any further.”
“Fine,” I said, crossing my arms.
We then arranged for Inspector Dorian to arrive at my house by seven o’clock. He and another officer would hide in the dining room, which was connected to the sitting room by a door. His lordship would then arrive by seven-thirty, and hopefully he would be arrested by eight.
Once we had squared away those details, Inspector Dorian rose. “I’m afraid I must be going. But do let me know once you have confirmed everything with Lord Linden.” Then he turned to his brother. “Stephen,” he said with a quick nod and then left the room.
Once we were alone, Mr. Dorian let out a long breath. “I don’t like this.”
“Yes, you’ve made that abundantly clear.”
He leaned towards me. “What about Tommy?”
“I already arranged for him to spend the evening with his cousins,” I said with a wave.
