Chapter 11
“I am bound to add that the excess in too little has ever proved in me more dangerous than the excess in too much; the last may cause indigestion, but the first causes death.”
Giacomo Casanova
“Absolutely not! It will not work, and if it does, you could be slain!”
Abbott’s outrage was plain. He had been the last to arrive, disguised as a footman rather than a groom, with a heavy greatcoat, buckled shoes, and a plain wig to conceal his identity. A footman to which household, Julius wondered, not recognizing the livery.
“It might work,” Julius countered lightly.
Brendan shook his head, clearly of the same mind as Abbott. “We do not know that, and you are a valued friend.”
Julius felt frustration rising from his gut. This was why he worked alone. Or with Audrey. She tempered his plans, but did not try to stop him from pursuing his intentions. The young woman had courage in abundance, not to mention she was a useful companion when things went awry.
Although the fact that he now counted a female as one of his closest confidantes still served to unsettle him.
Not just any female, a beguiling one at that, one who had stood beside him with unflinching loyalty, even when prudence had begged retreat.
“It is time we take the knowledge we have gathered to the Home Office. There have been far too many incidents where one of us could have been hurt or killed. Lily …” Abbott swallowed hard, evidently overcome by the recollection of the day his sister had been attacked.
Brendan’s face tensed, clearly reliving that terrible day. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, Julius.”
Well … I suppose I should appreciate that!
Indeed, it warmed the cockles of his heart. Julius valued his friendships above all else. However, that could not be allowed to dissuade him from his commitment. His companions had suffered egregious offenses, and he had it within his grasp to solve their dilemma once and for all.
“We cannot give up our advantage when we are so close to unmasking the murderer.”
“We must! I demand we end this investigation and turn it over to the Home Secretary.”
Julius narrowed his lids, approaching the taller Abbott with a menacing mien, his temper roused.
“Considering I cleared your father-in-law of a heinous crime, and ruined one of my favorite coats with a bloodied slash in a spot that can never be mended …” Julius shook his head in regret.
He had loved that coat. “This is my call, Abbott. And I do not care to be told what to do!”
“Easy, gentlemen. Quarreling amongst ourselves will solve nothing,” Brendan called from across the room.
Julius inhaled to calm himself, before spinning on his heel to retreat before he did something foolhardy, such as hit a larger man while he was recovering from a knife wound.
The baron paced, a thoughtful expression forming on his face. “The clubs are buzzing with talk about your disappearance with Miss Gideon.”
Julius’s resolve dimmed. The longer they were absent, the more her reputation was being decimated. She had risked everything to aid him, and now she bore the brunt of society’s whispers.
He hoped that providing her the protection of his name would be sufficient to mitigate the scandal because it had now been six days since she had helped him flee to Aunty Gertrude’s.
“What is your point?” His bark belied the nonchalant front he preferred to portray, his defiance sharpened by his concern for Audrey’s welfare. She deserved the world’s admiration, not its disdain.
Brendan came to a stop, peering at him through the shadows of the dim tack room.
“We could plant a story that you are terrified of your father’s reaction when he returns, certain that he will cut off your allowance for your dastardly behavior.
The earl is hale and healthy, so it will be years before you inherit and longer still before you gain access to the estate funds. ”
Abbott growled from the corner where he was standing. “No!”
Julius grinned. “I am a desperate man, willing to resort to blackmail to secure emergency funds.”
“Did you hear me? I said no!” Abbott’s tone was both adamant and pleading.
Brendan nodded. “Then, you return home and send missives to inform the three suspects that you have obtained an interesting letter, which the late baron wrote. A letter you intend on delivering to the Home Office unless someone persuades you to do otherwise, but your time is limited, so a deadline looms.”
Folding his arms to think, Julius stared down at the hard-packed earth beneath his feet.
“It is a good plan. The murderer might be wary of a trap, but we might incite him if we can trigger his emotions into making a rash move. Or … he may attend the meeting and reveal himself if he believes I can be paid off.”
Abbott strode between them, bristling with disapproval. “Have either of you considered how vexed the earl will be when he returns home to find the family reputation ruined by rumors? Or how this will affect Miss Gideon?”
Silence fell like a curtain. Dust motes floated through the single shaft of light that pierced the gloom.
Julius’s mind raced. Audrey’s name spoken aloud tugged at the carefully braced strands of his restraint. She had sacrificed her peace and good name to assist him. Now she was spoken of in terms of consequence rather than courage.
Encouraged that he had caught their attention, Abbott inhaled deeply as though to calm himself.
“This is as rash as anything you hope to provoke the killer into doing. We must calculate a better strategy than this. Each time we attempt to uncover the killer, we have made things worse. It is time to take what we know to the Home Office. If the killer makes a run for it, so be it. It is not worth risking anyone’s safety. ”
The reaction Julius felt was instinctive, a pulse that flared through his chest. To allow the murderous fiend to escape? After all they had been through, all the work they had done to uncover the facts they now possessed? He would not stand for it.
“I am not ready to give up. Once the killer knows a public investigation has been opened, he will disappear. He must pay for killing Lord Filminster and for hurting the baroness. And what of Michaels? Does he have a say in this since he, too, has been assaulted? Do you forget he was forced to kill another servant to save your sister?”
Abbott stared back at him, a helpless expression on his face. “Do you think that does not keep me awake at night? I think of nothing else!”
Brendan raked his hand through his hair, staring into space as he considered the arguments. “What of your father, Trafford? When does he return?”
“I do not know. He left for the Continent but did not provide any details, so he could be gone a few days or several weeks.”
“We shall discuss all these options with the duke. If we agree to proceed, when will you return home?” Brendan’s response was a reasonable one.
Halmesbury and Lord Saunton had proved reliable allies in the past, and Halmesbury knew the Home Secretary well.
Considering the duke’s father-in-law had been the murder victim, it seemed ill-advised to exclude him from the final decision.
“Miss Gideon wishes me another day or two of rest before I put myself in any danger. Even with runners posted in the house and here at Aunt Gertrude’s, she does not advise physical exertion.”
“That is excellent because we need a day or two to put men in place if we proceed with the plan. But … what of Miss Gideon? Abbott is right that the damage to her reputation will be much worse if we fan the flames of rumor making the rounds.”
Julius did not wish to discuss his intentions. He would take care of Audrey, but the particulars were not yet settled. She deserved to hear from him before his friends did. He owed her that—a private promise, not a public declaration.
“That is my concern,” he replied.
Abbott scowled, keeping his distance but his ire on display. “That young lady saved your life!”
Being berated did not sit well, but Julius understood he was debating with two men who had recently chosen to do the honorable thing.
Brendan had married Abbott’s sister in July under a cloud of controversy because of the drama created by providing him with an alibi, and Abbott had taken his vows just a week ago to abate a similar crisis.
“I am aware … and I will take care of her.”
Though the path forward remained uncertain, of one thing he was entirely sure—he would not allow Audrey to suffer for her bravery. She had offered her reputation without hesitation. It was now his turn to shield her from the cost.
“Blast this intrigue!” Abbott cursed, his face flushed. “I am not made for underhanded ploys!”
Julius was tempted to mock the younger man, to resort to his customary glibness, but he chose the course of logic instead.
“We have all endured great ordeals these past weeks. The two of you were forced to marry under duress.” Julius grimaced.
As I will soon be. “But all we have been through, all the trials we have borne for the sake of justice, will be for naught if this fiend escapes unpunished. All three of the suspects possess funds and can slip away to never be heard of again, and I will not stand for it.”
Brendan straightened, his expression turning to one of resolve. “I shall discuss the options with the other parties. Mayhap there will be a better plan if we put our heads together.”
“I, for one, must vehemently refute any plan that damages Miss Gideon’s reputation any further. She is an innocent young lady and deserves to be considered in this … this … foolishness!”
The inference that Julius was unconcerned about Audrey aggravated him worse than anything Abbott had ever said to him.
“It was Miss Gideon’s idea!”
Abbott blinked, his expression one of dismay at this revelation.
“Ahem.”