Page 80 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

“No, not Mr. Penrose. Mr. Dunbridge.”

“Nathan’s father? But—”

“No, no. Nathan Dunbridge.”

Carlisle’s head snapped up at that statement. “What? Nathan! What the devil are you talking about? Nathan was standing right there with us when you said you had no idea about the tontine.”

The other man swallowed, straightening his cuffs and lapels and touching his watch chain. “Yes, but, well, you see, he already knew. His father told him, I believe; he and I have discussed it once or twice.”

“You’re lying.” Carlisle’s voice was deadly quiet.

“It’s the truth,” Thompkins shot back indignantly. “When he took me over to Stonecliffe that day to talk to all of you, he told me to pretend to know nothing about it. It seemed a bit odd, but I assumed it must be a surprise or possibly a prank of some sort. I didn’t like deceiving you, I assure you, but since he had instructed me to do so, I withheld the information.” As Carlisle continued to glare at Cato, he went on, “I am an honest man, but I could hardly go against my client’s instructions.”

Noelle felt almost as dumbstruck as Carlisle looked. Nathan knew? Why had he not told them? But, of course, the answer to that question was right in front of her; it was just that she didn’t want to believe it. Nathan knew and hid it because he was the one who was behind the killings. She whirled to face Carlisle. “Gil! We left Gil with him! We must go!”

Noelle ran for the door and Carlisle followed, leaving the attorney spluttering, “But, sir, the document...you still have...sir...”

Carlisle wasted no time, just lifted Noelle up into the carriage and jumped in behind her. His first words were, “It isn’t Nathan. It can’t be.”

“I don’t want to believe it either.” Noelle knotted her hands together in her lap, wishing the carriage would move faster. “But what else can it mean? Why would Nathan not tell us about it? Why would he tell the lawyer not to give you the information?”

“I don’t know,” he replied grimly. “But I’ve known Nathan all my life, and he’s never been anything but trustworthy and honest. He’s my friend.” He made a fist, bringing it down on his leg. “There has to be some other explanation.”

“There are...well, it would fit with some of the things Nathan has said,” Noelle said slowly. “He was terribly insistent on the idea that it was Sloane who was behind the killings.”

“That’s just his resentment of Sloane; it’s to do with Annabeth, not this. He wasn’t even there when someone shot at Gil.”

“But he was. He and Annabeth and Lady Lockwood had already arrived. He came to call not long after you carried Gil in.”

“That doesn’t prove he did it. And he certainly wasn’t running about Europe trying to take Gil from you.”

“No, but we’ve already surmised that whoever is behind this hired people in Europe; he didn’t do it himself.” She paused, then added, “He said he was badly in need of money.”

“All he has to do to get money is marry an heiress, as his aunt is always urging him to. He needn’t go about killing off the other heirs.” He looked at her. “You know Nathan. Can you honestly believe that he would do such a thing?”

“No. But our choices are becoming limited. He knew about the trust and didn’t tell you. He lied to you. He brought in his attorney to lie to all of us. Why would he try to conceal it? His actions reek of guilt.”

“I know.” Carlisle sighed. “And I intend to question him, believe me. But I think there must be a good explanation.” He reached over and took her hand. “Try not to worry. I know it’s difficult, but I don’t believe Gil is in any danger. Even if I’m wrong and it is Nathan who’s doing this, Diggs is there, too. He will be watching Gil carefully.”

“I know.” It was logical, but Noelle found that logic did little to ease her fears.

The drive to Stonecliffe seemed to take an eternity. Noelle spent it staring out into the darkness, willing the carriage to go faster. Carlisle, too, was quiet, frowning moodily down at the folded document he still held in his hand.

“I was so sure this would show us the answer.” He slapped the paper against his thigh.

“It didn’t?”

“No. Unless I am simply too blind to see it. The men who signed are exactly the ones on the list Sloane brought us, and the terms are just as Lord Haverstock said. It will come to an end twelve years from now and it goes to the male heir still living, to be shared equally if there are more than one. If none are alive at the time, it goes to a charity.”

“I don’t understand why whoever is doing this is doing it now,” Noelle said, glad to have something to divert her thoughts. “Even if he kills everyone else, he can’t get the money for twelve more years. And it’s possible some of the men might die naturally during that time.”

Carlisle shook his head. “You’re right, there isn’t a rush. I suppose he must reason that if he spreads it out over a number of years, no one will suspect any wrongdoing. Or perhaps he is targeting the younger heirs—Sprague and Brookwell are both younger than Nathan and I are. And obviously Gil is the youngest. He might hope that Nathan and I will oblige him by dying in the meantime.”

A shiver ran down Noelle’s spine, and she said rather snappishly, “Well, I sincerely hope you will not be that obliging.”

He smiled faintly. “I won’t. And I won’t let him hurt Gil either.”

“Even if it turns out to be Nathan?”