“While there is a chance Croft was wrong to suspect Mr. Lawrence, I have no choice but to consider what he has told me.” He’d had a hard time believing it himself, but a number of details that didn’t add up, like Lawrence’s presence in that building, had forced him to listen. “According to him, Mr. Lawrence never lost the use of his legs.”
Orendel’s eyes bulged. “What?”
Even now, after he’d had time to think the idea over a number of times, it sounded as ludicrous as when Croft had suggested it. “He claims it was part of a well thought out plan to commit the crime in question without anyone ever suspecting him of wrongdoing.”
“But that’s preposterous. It would mean he planned this at least four months ago since that’s when his accident happened.” Incredulity filled Orendel’s face. “I can’t imagine him being so callous or hating my daughter enough to enact such a heinous crime against her. What would his motive have been?”
“Perhaps the fact that she meant to elope with Mr. Hutchins.”
Orendel sat in utter silence for a long moment, a distant look in his eyes. “Are you telling me Lawrence might have killed her because she no longer wanted to be his wife?”
“If he knew she loved Hutchins and planned on running away with him, the humiliation this wouldhave caused Mr. Lawrence could have driven him to it. Nothing quite like being thrown over for the penniless son of bookshop clerk. From what I gather, he would also have lost his chance to acquire the shares you promised to transfer to him as part of the marriage contract. Combined, the two may have made him so livid he felt the need to punish her for it in the worst way imaginable.”
“But…” Bleakness shadowed Orendel’s eyes. He gripped his armrest with one hand. “This would mean I’m to blame.”
Peter tilted his head. “How do you mean?”
“Eleanor said she wanted to break the engagement, that she feared Lawrence would be unkind to her. She actually wept at the prospect of following through with the wedding but I…I told her she had to. Not just because the man she wanted in Lawrence’s stead was completely unsuitable for her, but because we needed the funds Lawrence promised to give me as part of our deal.”
This last confession made Peter feel slightly sick. It sounded like the man had bargained away his daughter for a bag of gold. Yet looking at Orendel now, Peter wagered he’d give up every last penny he owned if only to have his daughter returned to him from the dead.
“You never mentioned any of this before.”
“I didn’t think it relevant.” Orendel’s eyes glistened as he turned his gaze more fully toward Peter. He blinked. “You said Croft killed him?”
“Last night. I found him standing over Lawrence’sbody. He was still holding the pistol he’d used to shoot him.”
“Good.” When Peter raised his eyebrows at this, Orendel said, “If Lawrence did indeed kill my daughter, then I’m glad he’s dead. My only regret is that Croft denied me the chance to pull the trigger.”
“A blessing, my lord, or you would be the one facing charges right now.”
“I gather you have no children?” Orendel’s features wobbled a little. He drew a sharp breath, appeared to reach for composure. When Kendrick confirmed he was right, the earl said, “If you did, you would know that I’d gladly accept such an outcome.”
And yet, he’d pushed his daughter toward an unhappy union in order to line his pockets. Instead of saying as much, Peter stood, ready to make his departure when Orendel surprised him by adding, “Croft shouldn’t be punished for seeing justice served on Eleanor’s behalf. If anything, he deserves our thanks.”
“That’s not how the law works, my lord. It’s not one man’s place to decide who lives or who dies. Besides, everything I’ve told you thus far is mostly based on Croft’s account. There’s a chance it’s false, that Lawrence had nothing to do with your daughter’s murder, and that Croft has made up a story to justify killing him.”
Somewhere deep down in his gut, Peter knew this wasn’t the case. Lawrence had killed Lady Eleanor and when he’d also shot Miss Fontaine, Croft had taken him out. It was what the man had deserved, and a part ofPeter – the part that realized there could be shades of grey when it came to justice – regretted bringing Croft in.
Despite having hunted him for several months in the hope of reaching this conclusion, it didn’t feel right. He did not experience the satisfaction he’d thought he would once Croft was detained. If anything, a hollow sensation crept through him.
It made him wonder for the first time if Mrs. Croft might have had a good reason to change her allegiance.
Dorian stood on the front step of his home and watched Lord Carver’s carriage depart. The viscount had personally come to deliver the news of Samantha’s betrayal and subsequent disappearance. Despite the severity of the situation, Dorian had found some amusement in the ease with which she’d fooled the authorities.
Carver had been far from pleased. Annoyance had radiated off him in waves when Dorian asked how Kendrick had managed to track her. The viscount had muttered something pertaining to luck, after which he’d delivered the crucial blow.
Samantha was now a wanted woman on the run. A fugitive who’d betrayed her country. Any hope of saving her was gone after what had occurred last night. Carver would happily put every effort toward hercapture now, but as a courtesy to Dorian, he would allow him the honor if he desired.
Fists clenched, he returned indoors, marched to his study, and summoned the women he’d raised. Hazel, Tara, and Holly arrived in short order, inquisitiveness in their youthful gazes.
“I regret to inform you that one of our own has strayed from her duty. From this moment forward, you will consider Samantha your enemy.” Any surprise they experienced in response to these words was swiftly concealed. Not quite as adept as the woman they would now hunt, who would not have betrayed any hint of what she was thinking. “Your task will be to find her and bring her to me. Failure to do so may lead to a far worse fate for her than the one she will face at my hands.”
Dorian knew Carver well. The viscount would not be merciful toward a woman whom he’d described as a danger to the nation’s security. Dorian couldn’t afford to be either. He’d have to silence Samantha because of the choices she’d made, but at least he’d make it quick and painless.
There was no guarantee Carver would do the same.
Fists clenched in anger, he listened intently to what Sir Nigel told him. Everything he’d worked toward this past year was falling apart at the seams. The chief magistrate wrung his hands, the occasional word hespoke an annoying stutter. But at least he’d come to deliver the information about Croft’s arrest, despite clearly wishing he were anywhere else.
