“We merely hope to discover if Lady Eleanor said anything of significance while in your company.” Samantha offered a reassuring smile. “It’s a question we plan on putting to everyone who had contact with her in her final days.”
“Back to hunting down murderers, are you?” When neither Adrian nor Samantha responded, Birchwood cleared his throat and said, “You know how these dances are. There’s rarely a chance for lengthy conversations, besides the banal chitchat one makes with regard to the weather or what a fine time one is having. Least of all when the partners are not well acquainted.”
“As you would have us believe you were not,” Adrian said.
“What are you getting at?” Mr. Lawrence demanded, looking mildly outraged on Birchwood’s behalf.
“Relax.” Adrian spoke to Birchwood. “I’ve already said that I don’t believe you played a part in Lady Eleanor’s death. However, she was an earl’s daughter. So contrary to what you’re suggesting, I’m sure she knew every member of the aristocracy well. Especially the eligible bachelors.”
“She was engaged to my nephew, Benjamin,” Mr. Lawrence informed them. “And she was not the sort of young woman to let her attention wander. Her loyalty toward him after all he endured was unfailing.”
“And yet, someone clearly believed she deserved to be brutally killed.” Adrian clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels, the detached manner with which he spoke reminding Samantha that he was accustomed to death. “The murder was methodical. It took place in her bedchamber, which means she was singled out for a reason and that the killer knew which room she slept in. This was not a crime left to chance, so however good everyone imagined she was, she must have done something to invite hate.”
A pause followed this statement before Birchwood said, “You’re likely correct, but the only thing she mentioned was how happy she was. I suggested it must be from the enjoyment of planning her wedding and…”
“What?” Samantha pressed when Birchwood fell silent and frowned.
The viscount shook his head. “It’s probably nothing. In fact, I’m sure I remember it wrong.”
“Nevertheless, I’d like to hear it,” Adrian said.
A perplexed look swept across Birchwood’s face. It was clear that he wanted this conversation to be over. “Her smile vanished for a brief moment, and I remember thinking that something must be troubling her. But then she laughed and said how excited she was to speak her vows. It’s worth noting that she sounded credible when she said this.”
“Which probably means the question either caught her off guard or made her think of all the remaining preparations she had to take care of.” Mr. Lawrence took a deep breath, his waistcoat stretching across hisround stomach. “Planning a wedding is no small matter. It must have been especially overwhelming for Lady Eleanor, who had a keen attention to detail. Benjamin often spoke of this with great pride.”
“I’m sure you’re correct,” Samantha said, barely getting the words out before Nigel Lawrence joined them. His uncle used the distraction to excuse himself from the group, disappearing into the crowd with a swiftness that clearly suggested he wanted to be as far away from Samantha and Adrian as possible.
Nigel beamed. “Mr. and Mrs. Croft. I was hoping you’d be here. So good to see you again. It’s been much too long.”
“You’re looking better than when we last parted ways,” Adrian told him. The bruises he’d given the younger man had stained most of his face. Considering the trap, however, they were all lucky he hadn’t been killed.
“Given what happened, I must say I’m rather surprised by how happy you are to see us,” Samantha told him.
“Forgive me, but I’m at a loss,” Birchwood said. “Will you tell me what occurred?”
“They thoughtIwas the Mayfair Murderer,” Nigel informed him, his wide grin putting all his teeth on display.
Birchwood’s eyebrows rose. “Another suspect. Why am I not surprised?”
“There was good reason for it,” Nigel informed him. “The murderer tricked them, you see. It was all ratherclever and terribly thrilling, but it did mean that I had to take a beating before they realized they had the wrong man.”
“We made a mistake,” Samantha said, causing Birchwood to roll his eyes, which in turn made Adrian growl with displeasure.
“An understandable one,” Nigel reiterated. “One which, if I may remind you, I forgave that same evening. In fact, I’ve been hoping to cross paths with you since, but you weren’t at any of the events I attended afterward.”
“We were recently married.” A tight smile on Adrian’s lips suggested he wanted to divulge as little about this as possible. “Social engagements were not our priority.”
“Of course not. I understand.”
Nigel followed the comment with a cheeky wink, which caused part of the champagne Samantha had just sipped to go down the wrong way. She coughed and sputtered a bit while Adrian patted her on the back. A deep breath and a bit more to drink helped her through it.
“Why did you wish to see us?” she asked, her voice a tad raspier than before.
“To congratulate you on your efforts in bringing the Mayfair Murderer to justice and also to find out exactly how he ended up hanging from that church tower.”
Silence.
The shock Samantha experienced in response to the blatant suggestion was felt in the tension wafting offAdrian’s body. It was also mirrored in Birchwood’s pale expression.
