Tags:
Fiction,
General,
Suspense,
Romance,
Historical,
Contemporary,
Reference,
Regency,
England,
Regency Fiction,
Romantic Suspense Fiction,
Weddings,
March; Tobias (Fictitious character),
Country homes,
Lake; Lavinia (Fictitious character)
him."
Nell looked relieved. Thank ye, ma'am."
Lavinia went swiftly down the corridor. By the time she got to the
staircase door, Tobias had already disappeared.
Lacking a candle, she was obliged to feel her way up the narrow
flight of steps. But when she reached the top, the door was open.
She stepped out into the moonlight and saw Tobias at the low
wall. He was looking down into the gardens. She walked toward
him.
Is that the place where Fullerton fell?" she asked.
Yes, I think so. There are marks in the dirt on the wall here. Do
you see them?"
He raised the candle to angle the light across the barrier. There
were several smears in the dust, soot, and grime that caked the
stone. They certainly appeared to be traces left by a man grasping
desperately to keep himself from plummeting to a certain death. A
chill went through her.
Yes," she whispered. I see."
It would appear that the woman lured him up onto the roof.
Tobias paced deliberately along the wall. You said Fullerton was
quite drunk. He would no doubt have been unsteady on his feet. It
would not have required much strength to topple him over the edge,
merely careful timing."
I know that for some reason you have yet to explain you are
convinced this was murder," she said quietly. But I have seen nothing yet that indicates it could not have been an accident."
What of the tall, blond maid?"
She hesitated. Nell could not think of anyone who matched my
description," she admitted.
He paused at that and looked at her. In the candlelight, his face
had a decidedly sinister aspect. She could understand Nell's reaction. If one were not well acquainted with Tobias when he was on
the hunt, she thought, one would be strongly inclined to run for
one's life.
One of the guests, perhaps," he said slowly. Dressed in a costume
that she wore to the ball earlier this evening?"
She summoned up the brief glimpse she'd had of Fullerton's
female companion. I do not think it was a costume that any of
Beaumont's guests would have worn to a ball. It was too ordinary,
too realistic, if you see what I mean. The materials were not fine
enough for any of the ladies here tonight. The gown was fashioned
of a dull, sturdy fabric. The shoes, stockings, and apron looked very
much like those worn by Beaumont's chambermaids."
Not a costume, then, but a true disguise," he said slowly.
Tobias, I think it is time you told me precisely what is going on."
He said nothing for a moment, resuming his prowl of the rooftop
instead. She knew that he was looking for other signs of what had
taken place here a short time ago. She feared that he would attempt
to avoid her question.
But when he reached the far corner he began to speak.
I have told you that during the war I conducted several confidential inquiries for the Crown on behalf of my friend Lord
Crackenburne."
Yes, yes, I know that you were a spy, sir. Pray get to the meat of
the matter."
I prefer to avoid the term spy when discussing my former profession." He leaned down to take a closer look at something he saw in
the dust. It has such unsavory connotations."
I am well aware that the profession is not considered a proper
career for a gentleman. But there is no need for either of us to mince
words when we are alone like this. Indeed, you were a spy. I was
obliged to engage in trade in order to survive in Rome. Neither of us
possesses the sort of past one would wish to have made common
knowledge in elevated social circles. But that is hardly important at
the moment. Continue with your tale."
He straightened and stood gazing out into the night. Bloody hell,
Lavinia, I am not even sure where to start."
Why don't you begin by telling me why you took that ring from
Fullerton's night table."
Ah, you noticed that, did you?" Tobias smiled a little. Very observant. You are making great progress in acquiring the skills of your
new profession.