Chapter Five #2
“Did she tell you that Papa had implored her relentlessly to divorce Anthony? He felt that any man who worked for a living would weaken our family name.”
“She did not, but I heard that from a different source.” Though why didn’t Lady Amelia tell him that earlier? “Who else has your father targeted?”
The viscount shrugged. “Everyone he’s ever met?
I’m glad I’m just the spare. If I had the weight of taking up the title, I’d flee England.
” He shook his head. “My father is stuck in the old ways, believing that England belongs to the ones who hold titles and their families only, and he doesn’t tolerate relationships if they are blended beyond the ton or a different race. ”
“I see.” After scribbling a few notes, Gabriel met the other man’s gaze again. “Does your oldest brother share your father’s views?”
A snort issued from the viscount. “I should think not. He married a half-Indian woman. Her father is an English general. They met in Bombay through East India Company business.” He shook his head.
“It has proved a source of great friction between Adrian and my father, but Papa can do nothing about it, for Adrian is the heir.”
“Outside of suggesting suicide?”
“What?” Shock etched over the viscount’s face. “He would never.” His eyes narrowed. “Why would you suggest that?”
“Did Mr. Corbett ever mention to you that someone within the family had tried to make him kill himself so that your youngest sister would inherit a large portion of the inheritance upon your father’s death?”
“Of course not! And how dare you even say something of the sort.” Annoyance flashed over his face. “My father is many things, but he would never…” As his words trailed off, faint guilt crept into his expression. “At least, I hope not.”
“You’re looking a bit green about the gills, Tifton. Why is that?” What secrets was this man keeping of his own?
“It’s nothing.” He shook his head. “Are we finished here?”
“Do you know of anyone who hated Mr. Corbett enough to want him dead?”
“I can’t imagine. Anthony was the best of us; I’m convinced of it.
He treated my sister like she was a queen, and he could hardly wait for their babe to arrive.
” Grief shadowed his face. “He faced challenges and stonewalls in this family, I won’t deny that, but he was determined to stick it out because he loved Amelia. ”
Gabriel jotted notes as he nodded. “One last thing… for this round of questioning. Where were you two nights ago between the hours of midnight and five a.m.?”
He snorted. “You think I killed Anthony.” It wasn’t a question.
“I am doing the task set before me. Until I know more, everyone is a suspect.”
For long moments, the viscount stared him down, no doubt how the duke had taught him.
When Gabriel met his gaze without flinching, the other man dropped his gaze and shifted his weight.
“I had thought to go to my club that night, but Anthony said he wanted to spend the evening alone. It was clear there was something on his mind, but he didn’t wish to share with me. ”
“That doesn’t answer my question. Where were you?”
The viscount huffed. “Since Anthony neglected to attend our standing evening at the club, I called on a female friend. Took her to Vauxhall Garden for dinner and to attend the opera.”
Gabriel’s pencil hovered over the notebook. “What is her name? I’ll need to verify your alibi.”
“Uh, Miss Adelaide Swanson. She’s the daughter to the English ambassador to Austria. He and my father are friends. We met at a rout a few months ago.”
Shocked slammed into Gabriel’s chest. Well, shit. She hadn’t mentioned anything about that or being connected—however lightly—to Boddingford’s family. “You are courting her?”
The viscount shrugged. “Until something better comes along?”
What an arse. “Do you hope to marry her?”
“I’m not yet certain, but she’s as good as any, I’ll wager.”
Tamping down on the urge to dress the man down, Gabriel put his notebook and pencil in the pocket of his greatcoat.
“No doubt Miss Swanson is a respectable woman of sterling reputation. However, because I know her family personally, I will caution you not to hurt her or even trifle with her affections, for there will be consequences. Do you understand?” Adelaide might be his secretary, but she was Mary’s niece, and he’d be damned if he let anything happen to her.
“You have no authority over me, Inspector. Are we done here?”
“We are, but don’t leave London. I may have more questions.”
“Yet another person who has no idea what members of the beau monde labor under. Arse.” With a shake of his head, the viscount retrieved his horse, flung himself up into the saddle, then rode away, leaving Gabriel alone.
“Oh, I’m well aware of that, Tifton,” he said softly as he made his way back through Hyde Park toward where he asked his driver to meet him.
He didn’t make the fact that he was the second son of a viscount known, for it had no bearing on his work but the lessons learned during his formative years were not easily forgotten.
Already, this case tried his patience.