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“Nothing of substance. He seemed charming enough. I was dismayed, however, that he did not mention you at all.”

Abram thought for a moment. If Dahl had been having them followed, he would have known of the alias. He had had Rowan killed and made a threat on Abram’s life. What was he playing at? “And what was his next action?”

Samuel ran a hand through his hair. “I did not want to mention you in public, so I wished him well. Then he requested a dance with Violetta.”

“Not Miss Orris,” Abram confirmed, relief swelling in his chest. Perhaps he had not seen her with him. That was his hope, at any rate.

“No, Violetta was his dance partner. He danced with her twice, and Mama Seraphine interrupted them out of concerns for decency. Yet he was never far from her side for the rest of the evening. Violetta has asked if I might extend an invitation to tea. I wanted to ask you about him, and his intentions, first.”

“I should tell you, I have reason to believe he may have fathered a child out of wedlock and…” He hesitated, not sure if he should say the most horrible part of the situation aloud. Abram decided then and there that he must place what was right over any loyalty he may have felt toward his intolerable family members. “I believe he may have been involved in the murder of my valet, Rowan.”

Samuel’s eyes grew wide. It was then that his brother, Barrett, joined them.

“Are you sure?” the tavern owner asked. “I thought perhaps he was simply looking for you. It would be careless to commit such an act and then stroll about town as if nothing were amiss. A new face would have been seen, remembered.”

“Not if he was pretending to be me,” Abram said. He had put it all together in just that moment. If he were identified in London, which he definitely had been after last night’s ball, who was to say that he hadn’t been looking for Abram to bring him home? That he was tracking him to hold him accountable for his actions.

Barrett pondered for a moment, scratching at his chin. “What benefit would that be to him? He is the firstborn. He holds the title in the line of succession. Why would he want to be confused for you?”

“But if he has done something unlawful or unscrupulous, the title might be taken away. With the proper evidence, my father might be able to disinherit him. I believe Rowan might have written to my father to tell him what he discovered in letters with the child’s mother, Leandra. It is possible Dahl intercepted the letters.”

Samuel took a step back, shaking his head. “This is… diabolical. I could not imagine being so. Could he have been attempting to eliminate the evidence of his malfeasance?”

“To eliminate anyone with knowledge of the deed. His intended has a father who is quite respectable. Dahl loves money, and to be wed to this family, he would have more wealth to go with his title. He cannot afford to have his name sullied, I am assuming. And the threat against me is likely to deceive the authorities. To trick them into believing it is someone with an axe to grind with me, as well.”

“Ah… your brother is betrothed? Still, there is no shortage of nobles with children born out of wedlock. A fact which I can certainly attest, given my brother’s and my lineage. There are laws being written with regard to legitimacy, even as we speak,” Samuel said, justifiably confused. His brows pinched at the admission.

“Of that, I cannot be sure. I need to speak to him, to talk sense into him. Alas, if he is involved with Rowan’s death, no one can save him.” Abram stared at the floor, painfully aware of the consequences awaiting his brother if it were true. Love remained even with the companion of betrayal.

“Where are these letters? Were they taken?” Samuel leaned against the support beam near the bar, his questions bringing Abram back to focus.

“They were not. I have them. I also had a conversation with Grady Easton last evening, who confirmed he had mistaken Dahl for me. I am sure Dahl introduced himself as me to link me to the crime as well. Without me, there would be no one else to discover his scheme.”

Abram walked over to one of the chairs in the seating of the inn. He ran a rough hand over his face. Barrett followed, falling into the chair with a heavy sigh.

“We should go to the constables,” Barrett suggested.

“We need proof of his involvement. Right now, it would be his word against Abram’s. I do not trust that the correct choice would be made.” Samuel took a seat on one of the stools, then turned to face them in their seats at the table.

“I shall have to obtain proof,” said Abram. “I need to go through the letters again. Samuel, can you keep him away from Miss Gray? I do not want him around Miss Orris’s sister, or any of the women in their family.” Orris. Abram meant Orris herself because he would not be able to continue breathing if something were to happen to her.

“I think we shall have to explain what is happening to them. They would need to know the reason for him not being a viable suitor.”

“He merely danced with her,” Abram said.

“Violetta is anxious to be wed,” Samuel said. “I am unsure whether she will think critically about a potential suitor without just cause.”

Abram nodded in agreement. He had seen her enthusiasm over the marriage during his time in their home. “Then you must tell them. If only for their safety. I need time to find proof. There had to be some evidence of their consummation for Rowan to notify my father.”

“I will advise them after their tea with the queen. They had to make her aware of their cousin who wishes to enter the marriage mart.”

“Today?” Abram would have preferred to apprise them of the matter, this instant. He would wait. He would never want to cause distress right before the meeting with Queen Victoria. He should care more for their safety, but he prayed Dahl would keep his focus on him and not the Gray family. He was only targeting Miss Violetta Gray, he was sure, in some attempt to bully Abram.

“Yes, in fact, I must return home. I am accompanying them as Gladys’s sponsor. Will you meet me at their home this evening? I know that you and Orris are not exactly on speaking terms, but she is involved in this now. We will need her to talk sense into Violetta. I do not want her to mistakenly fall for any schemes.”

“I will do it. Anything to ensure Dahl has no chance to harm them. To harm Miss Orris…”

Barrett sat upright. “You’re in love with her, are you not?”