Page 54 of One Wicked Secret
He studied her, noting the flicker of fear beneath her sincere expression. Was he a fool to trust her? Had she killed Carver, and he was being played by a master manipulator?
No!
He refused to believe she was anything but the woman who’d picnicked with him in the meadow. The woman who kissed him like they were the only two people in the world. The innocent woman suffering for her father’s mistakes.
“Are you saying the woman who bought the cologne for Mr Carver resembles my wife?” he said, sounding like a cuckold.
“No. No. She was young and looked vaguely similar. But I serve many people, sir. I’m sure it’s my mistake.”
“Was she alone when she bought the cologne?”
The man shrugged. “The woman I served was alone. As I said, there must be a problem with our filing system. These things happen from time to time.”
Daniel glanced at the card. The transaction was dated seven months ago. Magnus made no mention of a visit to London.
“I’m keeping this card,” he said, his tone darker than the devil’s as he slipped the evidence into his pocket. “Mr Carver is dead. No one will be buying cologne for him again.”
He didn’t bother bidding the men good day.
Once outside, Elsa’s composure faltered. “Daniel. I did not buy cologne for Mr Carver. I haven’t been to London in years and only came recently because I was searching for you. Heavens! This looks terrible.”
He wrapped his arm around her, guiding her away fromthose peering over the perfume bottles, watching them from the shop window.
“Elsa, I know it wasn’t you. It’s obvious the culprit tried to frame you for murder, so Magnus would be forced to give him the journal.”
Yet the information in the journal wasn’t that damning. Jacob Tyler’s role in the failed schemes could be attributed to incompetence. Perhaps they had missed a vital clue.
“Be prepared,” he said, bolstering his own defences too. “I suspect the porter at The Raven will have a similar story to tell.”
Elsa cradled her left arm, which should be in a sling. “It’s so humiliating. It looks like you’ve caught me having an adulterous affair.”
The villain hadn’t staged the ruse for that reason. How could he have? The cologne was purchased weeks before their wedding.
“It’s meant to look like you were intimate with Carver. I can visit The Raven alone to save you any embarrassment.” Though it would kill him to hear evidence of her supposed love affair. “You can wait in the carriage.”
“No. I know you find it hard to trust me. Anyone would when presented with the evidence. But I refuse to cower in the corner.”
He did trust her, though he had every reason not to.
This was certainly a test of his resolve.
“All that matters is we’re honest with each other,” he said, guiding her through the crowded Strand towards their carriage.
She exhaled deeply. “Will we survive this? Mistrust destroys marriages.”
He might have reassured her, but they were accosted by amature woman carrying a fluffy white Pomeranian, the creature yapping and bearing its tiny pincer-like teeth.
“Miss Tyler? Good grief, it is you! How good of you to crawl out of your hiding place.” The matron’s pinched lips and sharp eyes rang with disapproval. “I was told you were in Paris with your brother on one of his poetic pilgrimages. I would have expected a note to inform me you were in town.”
Elsa paled. “Lady Denby. You look well.” Unsure what else to say, she opened her mouth and closed it again.
The matron surveyed Daniel with cool disdain. “Playing nursemaid to your neighbours, Mr Dalton? I trust Miss Tyler’s brother is in the tobacconist. Doubtless he inherited his father’s weakness for expensive cigars.”
Daniel inclined his head. “I haven’t seen Magnus for months.”
The pigeon-faced creature was fishing for information. Perhaps she’d heard about the incident at the countess’ ball and knew they were married.
“He cannot hide forever. We intend to serve papers the moment he steps on English soil.”
