“How many times will Mr. Hughes find your name in the ledger?” Levi moved to the opposite side of Miss Sinclair, trapping her between himself and Miss Braddock.
“Once.” Miss Sinclair released a shuddering sob. “Before I could leave for the printer, Miss Drummond returned and demanded another payment. I had nothing left to give, and she informed my mother that I’d been consorting with Miss Braddock.”
They meandered toward the exit, gliding slowly toward the doorway. Levi stayed two steps ahead to ensure he could stop Miss Sinclair should she attempt to flee.
“The punishment was severe, and I couldn’t move from my bed for two days.” Miss Sinclair paused just outside the ballroom and spun toward Miss Braddock. “I came here tonight for an apology. However, Miss Drummond merely laughed and demanded more money.”
Miss Sinclair twisted around, anguish marring her features, and grabbed Levi’s forearms. “She said if I didn’t keep paying her, she’d write my mother daily with a contrived falsehood until Mother beat me to death… I had to push her to save my own life.”
“That confession,”—Mr. Hughes stepped from the shadows—“will be enough to free Mr. Braddock from prison this evening. I’ll have him transported to your residence, Miss Braddock.”
Levi stopped Mr. Hughes before he escorted Miss Sinclair from the house and said, “Would you return Mr. Braddock to my home?”
“Won’t he want to be near his sister?” asked Mr. Hughes.
“She’ll also be residing at my lodgings.”
For the remainder of her life. The thought warmed his chest.
Mr. Hughes’ eyebrows raised, and he leaned in, lowering his voice. “That’s bordering on scandalous. Are you certain you wish to proceed with this notion?”
“It keeps Miss Braddock protected from Mr. Drummond should he return seeking vengeance,” Levi said, taking Miss Braddock’s hand. “In addition, Miss Webb, her sister, and, I’m quite certain, most of my friends will be relocating to my residence until our wedding.”
“And after our union?” Miss Braddock asked, turning to him. “Do you intend to evict each one of your friends?”
“Yes.” Levi wiggled his eyebrows and brought her hand to his lips.
“Miss Braddock?” Miss Sinclair reached out but didn’t touch Miss Braddock. “Please forgive my desperate action.”
Pulling free of Levi, Miss Braddock flung her arms around Miss Sinclair. “We’ll speak with the magistrate and explain the extraordinary details surrounding your situation.”
“Thank you.” Tears streaming down her face, Miss Sinclair turned to Mr. Hughes and nodded, allowing him to lead her from the house.
“Such tragedy.” Mr. Venning appeared in the doorway of his study and shook his head. “My sister’s children were extremely unruly when they were younger. I hoped time had changed their natures, thus my invitation to them both. However, it appears quite the opposite occurred, and I must offer my apologies for the suffering they caused.”
“Did you inform your sister of her daughter’s death?” Levi asked, keeping Miss Braddock at his side as he walked toward Mr. Venning.
“I’ll write her this evening. Although, I suspect Humphrey will recount the horrific details to his mother before my letter arrives.” Mr. Venning sighed and glanced at the spot on the foyer floor where his niece died. “You’ll receive no further trouble from Humphrey. I’ll advise his mother that he’s no longer welcome.”
Levi opened his mouth to express his gratitude, but Mr. Venning waved his hand.
“Consider the act an apology for inviting trouble into your and that of your lovely fiancée’s peaceful lives.” Mr. Venning clapped his hand to his heart, bowed, and then trudged toward the ballroom.
A loud cheer and several gasps met Mr. Venning’s announcement that those remaining were free to leave due to Miss Sinclair’s confession.
Mrs. Creasey, her head bent close to her daughter, appeared in the doorway and sniffed. “I always suspected there was something amiss with that girl.”
Bristling, Miss Braddock marched over to them, stabbing her finger at the older woman. “Miss Sinclair was a victim, preyed upon by callous individuals who only cared for themselves.”
“She is a murderer,” Mrs. Creasey hissed, not hiding her judgmental tone. “And she’s exactly where she belongs.”
Miss Braddock leaned closer. “When you’re wondering why no man has proposed to your daughter, look to your unforgiving attitude as the cause.”
Mrs. Creasey’s eyes nearly burst from her head. Snapping her mouth shut, she grabbed her daughter’s wrist, yanked her around Miss Braddock, and stomped toward the exit.
Levi wrapped his arms around Miss Braddock’s trembling body. “Am I to assume the Creaseys will not be invited to our wedding?”
Snorting, Miss Braddock lifted her eyes to his. “And when will our wedding be, Your Grace?”
