Page 66 of Claimed By the Beastly Duke

“Ava noticed that the attacker’s clothes were tattered, like those of a scoundrel on the streets,” Edwin explained. “Now, how would a thug know that there is a ball at Wellington’s residence if he was not already informed by a member of the ton?”

“Who could possibly hate you enough to send a scroungy man with a knife after you?” Magnus asked.

“I have a suspicion,” Edwin sighed.

His friends perked up. William scooted closer to him, Magnus furrowed his brow in worry, and even Theo, the jester, looked serious.

“Who do you think it could be?” William asked

“Think about it for a moment. One of the main reasons anyone would kill or harm a nobleman is money. Now, I do not have any business dealings with thugs. Why, then, would they want to harm or kill me? So, it must be someone from the ton who is affected by my business that paid the thug.”

Edwin watched as realization dawned on his friends’ faces.

“If we go by this assumption,” Theo said, “then you may have a dozen suspects. After all, it’s only normal for some people’s businesses to be impacted as your business grows. That is simply business.”

“There is a man,” Edwin admitted. “A man I suspect. His business was quite affected when I became the sole supplier of timber in Europe.”

Magnus gasped. “Are you speaking of the Earl of Wilbury?”

Edwin nodded. “Moreover, he has not quite hidden his grudge against me. In fact, shortly before Ava became my wife, I saw him approach her.”

Theo nodded. “Everyone in the ton knows that Wilbury has been telling everyone who would care to listen what he thinks of you.”

“But why would a respectable gentleman do something so diabolical?” Magnus asked.

“Money would make even the most respectable of men engage in illegal activities,” Theo said.

Edwin could not help but agree with him. Most gentlemen of the ton would engage in illegal activities for the right amount of money.

A good example of this was Magnus. He was inarguably the most respectable member of their group, and yet he had opened a gambling hell when he was in dire need of money. Edwin himself had invested in the business when he noticed how profitable it was.

“Theo is right. If some of us have engaged in rather unlawful schemes just for money, then who is to say that Wilbury would not attempt to kill me for the same?” He stared at Magnus as he said this.

“Warning your wife not to marry you is one thing, but making an attempt on your life? That is simply diabolical.” William furrowed his brow.

“He must pay if that is the case. We must make sure that Wilbury pays,” Magnus declared.

“But how do we make him pay if there is no evidence linking him to the crime?” Theo asked.

“You are right,” Edwin sighed. “To make him pay, I must find irrefutable evidence that proves his guilt.”

There was a moment of silence as they considered the best course of action.

“Gathering evidence would certainly be difficult,” Theo said, “especially since nobody saw the face of your attacker.”

“It might be a long shot, but I suppose I can help,” Magnus offered.

Edwin sat up quickly. “Anything you say now may help.”

“I could have Wilbury followed. Who knows, we might find something incriminating,” Magnus suggested.

Edwin simply nodded.

Nobody asked where Magnus would find the men who would tail Lord Wilbury. They did not need to. After all, in his business, it was not unusual for him to deal frequently with people of questionable character.

“I cannot help but wonder. Could you perhaps also ask them if they know who attacked me?” Edwin asked.

Magnus nodded. “Of course I can. But it is quite unlikely that they know. These thugs might brag about petty thefts, but they would never admit to a crime as grievous as attacking a duke at a ball,” he pointed out. “However, I am certain that we will know more about Wilbury by tailing him.”

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