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* * *

The townhouse was silent as they entered. After so much activity at Lark’s Song, the stillness of the townhouse stood out.

George, the butler, walked into the parlor with them. “Your correspondence,” he said, holding out a tray with several envelopes.

Alexander looked at him. “For me or William?”

“For you. Obviously, news has reached the ears of eager hostesses that you are in town.” The man’s dry tone made him bite back a chuckle.

William laughed. “I wonder how many you would have received if they’d been aware you are to be married?”

As Alexander leafed through the invitations, he discounted one after another. “One.” He held up an invitation for dinner from Lord and Lady Barrow.

He placed the invitation down and sat. “It is as if instead of a burden being lifted, a heavier one is on my shoulders now,” Alex said. “It seems they are my father’s children.”

“They should have gone about things legally. Instead, they allowed resentment to misguide them.” William handed him a glass of brandy. “Alex, look at me.”

When Alex met the eyes of the man he considered to be his only brother, there was strength.

“Alex, you could have been dead. Believe me when I tell you this—if they’d succeeded, I would have ensured their demise.”

His eyes widened at the truth of William’s words. “They would not have lived past arriving at the bank. Instead of the constable, I would have had others with me that would not be as...law abiding.”

Finally, Alexander nodded, acknowledging that it was out of his hands now. “I will ask to speak to them, then make a decision about whether or not to speak on their behalf. I have a feeling it is not Jasper who was behind the entire thing. He spoke up, but did you notice how he kept looking to her? As if for approval.”

“I did.”

* * *

He’d never been in a jail cell before, and Alexander hoped to never have to be in one again. Jasper sat inside, his head hanging, not willing to look at him.

“Jasper,” Alex started. “Do you wish to know who the man you killed was?”

Jasper’s head came up. “No. It is best that I don’t know.”

“He is the reason you may die here.”

Closing his eyes, Jasper took a shaky breath. “How did things go this far?”

“Where is your mother?”

At the change of subject, the man finally looked to him. “In France. I’d gone there as well, to live.”

“But Bettina came for you. She convinced you to return to England, didn’t she?”

Instead of a response, Jasper took another shaky breath. “It is like I said, I was the one who did everything. It was all my plan.”

“What kind of poison did you use?”

Jasper frowned. “Rat poison.”

“Is wasn’t,” Alex said flatly, noting Jasper stiffened. “What did you put the poison in?”

“The tea...” Jasper gave up. He had no idea. “I hired someone to do it, so I am not sure.”

“A man there to repair the roof saw a woman leaving the house one morning.” Alex hesitated. “Slender and pale with dark hair.”

Jasper shook his head. “It is not possible.”