Frederick concluded with their recent thoughts on the succession being a possible motive. “But that avenue doesn’t seem to get us any further.”
Mary and Ryder exchanged a long glance, then Ryder looked at Frederick and said, “Instead of asking who benefits directly by your death—namely Carlisle, who I think we all agree”—he glanced at the dowager, Emily, and Ernestine—“doesn’t have the right character for a villain—perhaps we should be asking who benefits by Carlisle succeeding to the title, other than Carlisle himself?”
Frederick glanced at Stacie, but it was his mother who said, “Aurelia?”
When everyone looked at her, the dowager huffed. “I suppose she’s definitely one who will benefit, but although she is not my favorite person—indeed, she’s not a particularly likeable person at all—I can’t see the change in position, even being elevated to the title of marchioness, as being a sufficient lure to push her into the act of hiring someone to murder another. She’s extraordinarily straitlaced, and even a whiff of scandal is, in her terms, something to be avoided at all costs.”
The dowager tightened her shawl about her shoulders and looked at Stacie. “I suspect that’s why Aurelia has been a trifle stiff with you, my dear. Given your mama’s reputation, Aurelia would have feared that your association with our family would bring scandal in its wake—and neither the circumstances surrounding your engagement or your wedding would have allayed those fears in the least.”
A short silence ensued.
Mary broke it. “I agree with Ryder. Given we’re satisfied these attacks have nothing to do with music and books, the qui bono angle seems the most likely. So if not Carlisle or Aurelia, then who?”
Stacie looked from one face to the other as the silence stretched—and stretched.
Then Emily, looking faintly conscious, suggested, “What about Mr. Barkshaw?”
“Mr. Hadley Barkshaw?” Mary clarified. When Emily nodded, Mary looked at the dowager. “How is Hadley Barkshaw connected to the marquessate?”
“Indirectly.” The dowager turned to stare at Emily. “He’s Aurelia’s brother.”
Emily explained, “Aurelia was a Barkshaw before she married Carlisle. Hadley is Aurelia’s younger brother. She has an older brother as well, but I believe he spends most of his time in the country with the elder Barkshaws—their parents.”
“Who,” the dowager added, “are known to be exceedingly strict in their ways. Hence, Aurelia’s overreaction to any possible hint of scandal.”
Puzzled, Stacie asked, “Why did you suggest Hadley, Emily?”
From the look on Mary’s face, she’d taken the words from her sister-in-law’s mouth.
Emily colored. “It was just a notion—an impression I’ve gathered based on what I’ve seen at various family functions. People—well, those like Hadley, who is very self-centered—often forget I’m there and are wont to speak rather indiscreetly, and I rather suspect that Aurelia has been…” Her gaze grew distant as if she was recalling a conversation, then she refocused and said, “I believe the term Hadley used was ‘bailing him out’ with funds.”
“Well!” the dowager said. A second later, she added, “Not that I find I’m all that surprised—not on either of their parts.”
Ryder had been watching Mary’s face. When a short silence fell, he prompted, “Mary?”
After Emi
ly’s revelation, Mary had been staring at the rug. She blinked and looked at Ryder, and he asked, “Can you add anything regarding Hadley Barkshaw?”
Mary primmed her lips, then eased them and said, “There’s nothing I know of as verified fact. However, I do recall that Hadley, who generally presents as being charming and personable, was said to have been sniffing around Miss Dunsworthy’s skirts until her father and brother got wind of it and—according to the rumors—saw him off. Given that the Barkshaws and Dunsworthys are of similar social standing, but that Miss Dunsworthy is something of an heiress, one is left to draw the obvious conclusion.” She looked around at all their faces and explained, “That the Dunsworthys discovered enough about Hadley to convince them that he was after Miss Dunsworthy’s money—more, enough to decide he was an undesirable parti.”
Stacie glanced at Frederick and found him exchanging a long look with Ryder, one laden with several layers of meaning.
“I believe,” Ryder said, speaking to Frederick, “that you and I should consult with Rand and, through him, with whoever else we need to speak to in order to get a definitive answer regarding Hadley Barkshaw’s finances.”
Looking increasingly focused, Frederick nodded. “My thoughts exactly.” He and Ryder rose. Frederick glanced at Stacie, then at the other ladies. “We’ll return as soon as we can, but until then, I believe I speak for both Ryder and myself in asking you all to remain here—in this house.”
Safe and surrounded by the Albury House staff, who—Stacie had not the slightest doubt—Frederick would set to guard them.
She wanted to go with him, but it was likely their quest would take them into the gentlemen’s clubs and similar places where she couldn’t go; they would find what they needed to uncover faster without her.
Before Stacie could, Mary answered, “Of course.” She glanced at the others, finally bringing her gaze to rest—wryly understandingly—on Stacie. “We’ll wait here—just hurry up and find out if Hadley might be the one behind all this. If he isn’t, we’ll need to think again.”
Stacie met Frederick’s eyes. “Perhaps that’s something we can do while you and Ryder are out—see if there’s anyone else we can think of who might possibly be behind these attacks.”
Frederick nodded. “Good idea. We’ll leave you to it.” He caught her hand, raised it swiftly to his lips, his eyes trapping hers as he briefly kissed her knuckles, then he released her and followed Ryder to the door.
Stacie watched them go—the two men in all the world she held most dear—then she stifled a sigh, rose and rounded the desk, and joined the other ladies.