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Molly’s chaperon did not appear to be an endearing creature, despite her physical attractions, and Molly’s transparent efforts to rid her from their company the day before only confirmed his suspicions. Which made his guilt arise again for his clumsy bemoaning of proprieties the night before. His nerves were on edge, and he had not employed any charm to reject her interest in him as a man. How capricious his disposition had grown since setting foot on these Albion shores!

“My brother has completed studying Lady Blackwood’s journals, and we wish to discuss the implications.” The baron’s low voice reminded Marco that he was not here to mull over his inadequate dealings with the woman sitting a couple of feet away. “Given the possibility that his mother has left us a disciple to mete out further death, I wished for us to meet as a family so we can formulate a plan if there is reason to suspect we are in danger.”

Angelo perked up. “My brother has confirmation that he is being targeted.”

Uncle John frowned, turning his gaze to Marco. “What is this?”

At the edge of his vision, he could see Molly shifting uncomfortably as he tried to think what to say. “I … was walking in the garden when I came to a stop beneath the statue of Romulus.” He gestured to the side of the building. “An urn came tumbling from the skies directly at my head, but I was able to leap away. When Angelo and I visited the roof, we found that it might have been levered over the edge with a pry bar.”

Nicholas groaned, dragging a hand through his mop of dark brown hair, which was in need of a cut. “That is unfortunate news. I suppose that confirms we do have cause for concern.”

The baron shook his head in dismay. “Indeed. If there is an accomplice seeking your death, it means that I might become a target, too. Isla, Lady Blackwood, was attempting to clear the way by hurrying my death. Is there anyone else who might be considered expendable?”

“Not me. Simon would inherit with or without my presence.” Nicholas sounded sour in his response.

Molly cleared her throat before chiming in with the same notion he had yesterday on the roof. “Angelo. He would stand in the way of Simon inheriting, if that is what this is about. Which seems likely because that was Lady Blackwood’s obsession. She would have wanted to get rid of you, Marco and Angelo, to clear the way for Simon to be the baron.”

Marco was impressed. She had calculated the list without hesitation, proving again that she was no wilting flower of high society, but a resilient woman with a strong mind. His mother would like this Molly Carter, if they ever met.

Nicholas contributed his thoughts in the same sour tone as before. “And I can confirm from reading these … toxic ramblings … that my mother was obsessed with Simon rising to the rank of baron while I … I was a mere tool to ensure his perpetual guilt. She seemed pleased in the aftermath of my accident that Simon blamed himself, using it to her advantage to persuade him into doing his duty. You, Marco, and Angelo are the three people who stand in the way of any plot she may have enacted before she died.”

John sighed heavily, slumping back in his swivel chair to think. “And what do the journals reveal? Do we have a list of potential suspects?”

“I do not have a definitive answer. One name that came up was Dr. White.”

Molly glanced around the room before adding to what Nicholas had said. “Dr. White is the family physician. He supplied Lady Blackwood with laudanum, which was how she … ended her life. He disappeared the day we discovered John was being poisoned. We thought it was probably to avoid trouble for failing to notice the signs of arsenic poisoning, but perhaps it was because he had willfully ignored the symptoms to assist the baroness.”

Angelo cocked his head to consider this information with a studious expression before finally responding. “How would Dr. White access the carriage or the roof of this house? To do so, he would need a servant to allow him entry.”

“Which means we should still be looking for someone within this household,” agreed Marco.

“If I may suggest someone else?” Molly was nervous, her tongue passing briefly over her lips as if reluctant to proffer a suspect. The urge to lean forward and offer quiet encouragement was unexpected, and Marco deliberately settled back into the padding of his chair, unwilling to invite further impropriety.

“Who?” queried the baron, his interest obvious.

Molly’s eyes flickered toward the figure beyond the window. “Miss Dubois. Her affinity for Lady Blackwood borders on fanaticism. She mentions her dozens of times a day, and she is quite put out to be my companion instead of servicing a ‘booteeful baronezz.’”

Marco almost laughed out loud. Molly’s impression of her fawning companion was comical, despite the gravity of their discussion.

“Interesting. What would her motive be?” Uncle John mused.

“According to these”—Nicholas waved at the stack of journals—“Lady Blackwood paid a footman in the Ridley household to gather information after she killed Lord Filminster. Perhaps she has made arrangements to pay Miss Dubois for completing her crusade.” Nicholas pulled a face. “I had to read all about it. There is not much about Miss Dubois in the journals, but I can confirm that my mother had a liking for the maid, so she might have had a strong-enough relationship to corrupt Miss Dubois into perpetuating her crimes.”

The baron nodded. “Then we should observe Miss Dubois. Perhaps someone should search her room for any evidence? Molly could keep her occupied.”

The baron’s outrageous suggestion, so easily offered, had Marco and his brother exchange looks of surprise. This household had been under attack, which explained the equanimity with which its residents conspired to investigate, even as Molly hissed in rejection, clearly alarmed at the thought.

“And what if she is innocent? That would be a terrible invasion of privacy for a man to go through her things. No … I should do it if we are to be so sly.”

It was a thoughtful gesture, Marco thought, considering he suspected Molly did not like her companion in the least. Her proposal of Miss Dubois as a potential murderess confirmed her dislike of the servant, yet she still took pains to extend what fairness she could manage.

“If you remain in your room to read, Miss Dubois could be called away. Perhaps I could interview her over her change in roles and deliver some directions about how I want Molly to be serviced? I should be able to prolong the discussion for an hour if I choose to ramble, as old men are wont to do.”

Molly nodded at the baron’s suggestion. “That would work.”

“So we have Dr. White and Miss Dubois on the list, but cannot see how White could do it without help from inside the house. Any other suspects, Nicholas?”

He shook his head, and a darker thought intruded upon Marco’s mind. It was difficult to shake the notion that Nicholas himself had a motive to assist his mother, and the moment felt ill-chosen even as he gave voice to it.