‘I am becoming more frightened with every passing hour...’
She broke off abruptly.
‘I know.’
Pain flickered briefly across his features before determination hardened them once more.
‘But I will not let anything happen to you.’
Charlotte’s heart pounded—not from fear this time, but from the raw emotion in his eyes. She quickly lowered her own before the hurt in them became too obvious.
‘Nothing will happen to you,’ he said tightly, his voice low with restrained fury.
He lifted one finger beneath her chin and gently tilted her face upwards.
‘We shall find whoever is responsible forthis.’ He brushed away the single tear that escaped her. ‘And they will answer for it.’
Only then did Charlotte notice the shadows beneath his eyes, the strain etched across his face. He had scarcely slept. Barely eaten.
And her heart ached for him.
How had she ever imagined the Captain could compare?
She stepped back abruptly. Nearness to him had become unbearable. If she remained any longer, she feared she might cling to him and never let go.
‘There must be something we are overlooking,’ she said quickly. ‘Lady Bainbridge told me she had a secret admirer amongst the guests. What if it is Hamilton? Is he not now heir to the Bainbridge estate?’
‘If she is involved with Hamilton, then she may well be assisting the Odd Fellows. And with Lord Bainbridge dead, she would be free to marry him. Two birds with one stone—quite literally.’
Charlotte began pacing.
‘But if she truly pushed him, why remain standing at the top of the staircase screaming? Why not quietly rejoin the other ladies before anyone discovered the body?’
‘It makes little sense,’ Lord Stanley agreed. ‘And then there is Lady Susan. You say she simply looked at the body and calmly returned to her room?’
‘Without the slightest sign of distress.’
He looked equally troubled.
‘Lady Susan was involved with Wolverton,’ Charlotte continued. ‘She could just as easily be tied to the Odd Fellows asthe others. We should search the rooms. The letters may still be hidden somewhere.’
Lord Stanley turned slowly towards her, a flicker of appreciation—or perhaps astonishment—crossing his face.
Then he caught himself, stepped back, and cleared his throat.
‘Come with me,’ he said. ‘I need your eyes.’
Together they crossed the foyer, passing the spot where Lord Bainbridge’s body had lain only moments earlier.
The Bow Street Runners had escorted the ladies to the parlour. Charlotte and Lord Stanley searched Lady Bainbridge’s chamber first, along with Bainbridge’s own rooms, but discovered nothing.
‘That leaves Lady Susan’s room,’ Lord Stanley said at last.
Charlotte had been suspicious of Lady Susan’s composure from the beginning. The woman had appeared far too calm amidst the chaos.
They did not have to search long.
Charlotte knelt beside the fireplace at once.
