She’d loved the idea he’d had of buying a cottage near Brighton – a little retreat with a view of the water where they could stroll along the shore and go bathing.
The memory made his chest feel like it was carved from wood – a hollow space within which the beats of his leaden heart echoed.“What grounds did Bow Street have to interview you?”
Birchwood glanced at Miss Carmichael briefly before revealing, “The three of us were…well acquainted with the woman.”
“I see no harm in that,” Miss Carmichael said.
Adrian had to agree, unless Birchwood meant to imply something else – something he could not say with a lady present.The uncomfortable look on his face suggested this could be the case.
Choosing to hold his tongue for a moment, Adrian raised his eyebrow and hoped Birchwood might elaborate.To his surprise, it was Eldridge who said, “They enjoyed regular visits to Bush Park together.”
“But…” Miss Carmichael sounded completely lost.“How does that signify when she was murdered at Vauxhall?”
“I’m sure the constables were just being thorough,” Adrian said, his suspicions confirmed.
“It’s a terrible tragedy,” Owen Newton remarked, the swift interjection steering the conversation in a different direction.“No young lady deserves such a fate.”
“Agreed,” Clive Newton said.He looked at Miss Carmichael, his gaze increasingly serious.“I hope you’ll be extra careful until this blackguard is caught.”
“Of course.”Miss Carmichael pursed her lips.“I’ve started taking a pistol with me wherever I go.For extra precaution.”
“A wise decision,” Eldridge said with approval.
“I doubt this madman would set his sights on you though,” Owen Newton told her, his voice gentle as though intending to reassure.“From what I gather, he only targets immoral women.”
“I disagree,” Adrian said with a bite to his tone.
Silence followed for a brief second before Owen Newton thought to say, “I beg your pardon, Croft.He clearly made a mistake regarding your sister.”
“An unforgivable tragedy,” Eldridge muttered.
“Unquestionably so,” Clive Newton said, though the words that followed were less sympathetic.“Perhaps this scoundrel’s motivation is different from what we suspect.”
“The note that was found with each of them could not make his reasoning clearer,” Birchwood said.He sent Miss Carmichael an apologetic look.“Forgive me.This really isn’t the sort of discussion we ought to be having in a lady’s presence.Perhaps we should change the subject.”
“Quite right,” Clive Newton said.He stared at Adrian for a moment as if weighing whether or not to say more.Eventually his desire to do the right thing, however foolish, won out.“I beg your pardon, Mr.Croft, but all things considered, it might be prudent of you to steer clear of your female acquaintances for the present.Until this case is resolved.”
“And why would that be?”Adrian asked, deciding to learn what was on the man’s mind though he feared it might end with him grabbing the pup by the throat.
“It’s only that you’re reputed to be a dangerous man whose wealth was built through nefarious means.”Much to his credit, Clive Newton kept his chin high even though the slight hitch of his voice revealed a lack of confidence that was further enhanced by the trembling of his hands.
Adrian narrowed his gaze on him.He had an unexpected amount of courage.“I think we can all agree most peers’ wealth was acquired in much the same way at some point or other.But if you’re suggesting what I think you are – that I might have slit those women’s throats, including my sister’s – I recommend you remove that notion from your thick skull at once.”
“Or what?”
“Brother,” Owen Newton warned.
Adrian leaned in.“Or I’ll make your life hell.”
“That’s enough,” Eldridge said with the sort of ducal authority most men knew to obey.
Adrian only did so because he could sense Miss Carmichael’s increasing discomfort.He leaned back, his gaze locked with Clive Newton’s.“Murder is a serious business.You ought to think twice before tossing out accusations.”
“I’m sorry,” Clive Newton exclaimed.He looked so young and perplexed it would have been easy to pity him had Adrian been a softer man.“This nasty situation makes me see danger wherever I look.I won’t rest easy until the killer has been apprehended.”
“Don’t worry,” Adrian said.“He’ll make a mistake.And once he does, he will be caught.”
“Let’s hope so.”Eldridge knocked back his drink and excused himself, then strode away, disappearing into the crowd.
