“Our investigation will proceed more quickly if we can gather everyone who was at John’s dinner table last night in one place,” Mark replied without missing a beat. It warmed her heart to see him trying to give his uncle something to feel proud about, something to grasp onto, something to do.
The duke struggled to sit up straighter. Nicole stood to help him. She rearranged the pillows behind his back and helped him settle himself.
“You want me to bring them together?” the duke asked. “Here?” Another coughing fit ensued.
“No,” Mark replied after his uncle stopped coughing. “We’ll need to question them over a period of time. A few days or more. The sooner the better. You should invite them all to your country house for a memorial.”
“Perfect,” the duke intoned. He clutched Nicole’shandkerchief to his chest. “But what if any of them refuse?”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Mark replied. “I suggest you also inform them that after the memorial, you intend to… name the next heir. You must imply it may come as a surprise.”
“Brilliant,” the duke breathed.
Nicole faced Mark. She spoke quietly. “Do you think such an event is wise, given your uncle’s health?”
“I’ll be fine,” the duke replied stubbornly, though his coughs belied his words.
Mark stared down at his uncle, pity in his eyes. “It won’t be easy, but if you can make it to Surrey, I think having everyone there together will make a difference in the investigation.”
“Why not invite them here to His Grace’s London home?” Nicole asked. “That way your uncle won’t have to travel.”
“If we invite them here, they can leave if they choose. In the country they’ll be forced to stay and answer questions for a few days at least. Besides, they’ll all expect John to be laid to rest at Colchester Manor. It’s the perfect reason to invite them. The naming of the heir at the end will ensure they stay.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” the duke insisted, waving the handkerchief in the air. “I agree. Just tell me, who should I invite?”
“Four ladies and three gentlemen. Everyone who was at the dinner last night, including some of the servants if I cannot cross them off the list of suspects in time.” Mark rattled off the list.
The duke rang for a footman. When the young manarrived at the door, the duke ordered him to send for his secretary posthaste. “We’ll get the invitations out immediately,” the duke said. The old man seemed strangely energized. Nicole couldn’t help but wonder if the determination to avenge his son’s murder had given him the impetus to go on. She patted his hand.
Mark folded his arms behind his back and gave the duke a curt nod. “We’ll leave you to it.”
***
Mark and Nicole entered the coach again in silence. They were well on their way back home when Nicole finally asked, “You don’t think it will be too much for your uncle’s health to host a house party in Surrey?”
“It’s not as if he’ll be doing any of the work. He has myriad servants. Besides, he said it himself. He has only been hanging on for John’s sake. I suspect now he’ll hang on to discover who killed his son. We need his help.”
“I understand,” Nicole said quietly. “Only it’s such a pity that a sick old man should be forced to play host to a group of people, one of whom is his son’s murderer.” She shuddered.
“I agree.” Mark stared out the coach window. His profile was stonelike. His jaw was set. “All we can do is discover the truth as quickly as possible. For my uncle’s sake.”
Nicole pressed her fingertips to her temples. An awful headache had begun to form behind her eyes. “Of the people who were there that night, who, do you suspect?” She couldn’t help it. The investigator in her was eager to help determine the culprit.
Mark slapped his gloves against his thigh. “As of now they’re all suspects, but Mr. Cartwright is the man whobelieves himself to be the next in line to the duchy.” Mark tapped a finger against the window. “That is a strong motivation for murder.”
“You’re right,” Nicole replied, before venturing, “What of your plans for securing the position of Secretary of the Home Office?”
“For now, they are on hold. Before we leave for the memorial, I must pay a visit to Lord Tottenham to let him know I’ll be out of pocket for a bit. He shouldn’t mind. Apparently he asked for my assistance on this case.”
Nicole met Mark’s gaze. “What if he discovers you’re the marquess?”
“I’mnotthe marquess,” Mark ground out, clenching the gloves in his fist. “I intend to ask my uncle to keep the news to himself for the time being. I haven’t decided whether I’ll renounce the title, but if Iamgoing to be a bloody marquess, I want my promotion first.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The next few days passed in a haze of preparations. The invitations to the memorial were sent by liveried messenger. No mention was made of the fact that murder was suspected. All seven accepted.
Mark was reading a letter from an operative in the north of England when the butler knocked on the door to his study.
