Page 80 of One Wicked Secret
Was Elsa happy? Their problems disappeared in bed, but the complexities of this case had taken its toll on both of them.
“I worked in the criminal courts many years ago,” the solicitor continued. “Liars often have a telltale glassiness in their eyes. And I do my research, Mr Dalton. When a client tells me Lord Denby is his enemy, I make certain I can identify him on sight.”
The last comment stole Daniel’s attention. “Did Mr Tyler tell you why Lord Denby was his enemy?” No doubt it had something to do with the peer wanting to marry Elsa.
Hawthorne withdrew a tiny brass key from his waistcoat pocket. “He simply said his daughter would suffer greatly unless he could prevent the marriage. Poor man didn’t hold out much hope. Evidently, you found a way out of the contract your father foolishly signed.”
“Not quite,” Elsa said, shifting in her seat. “We ignored the contract and married regardless.”
Hawthorne froze, his bony fingers resting on a large dusty tome on the shelf. “You ignored the contract? Good gracious. Lord Denby could sue. It could spell financial ruin. Was there land promised? A dowry?”
Elsa looked at Daniel. “All I know is my father and brother insisted I marry Lord Denby in payment for a large loan. Then everything suddenly changed.”
It changed the night they found Elsa in Carver’s bed.Magnus confessed to receiving blackmail notes from the felon wanting the journal. He also showed Daniel the marriage contract and explained they were drowning in debt. The two incidents were unrelated.
Or so he’d thought.
Perhaps Denby had staged the scene. Perhaps it had nothing to do with the journal, and the only motive was to ensure Elsa had no option but to marry quickly. But Denby could have his pick of the debutantes. And why kill a man and then sit idly waiting until Elsa was out of mourning?
“I gave Magnus Tyler the money to settle the loan to Lord Denby. He assured me he repaid the debt, though I have yet to see proof.”
God, he felt like a fool.
A prized idiot.
The more they learned, the more Magnus seemed untrustworthy. Hell, if his own parents kept secrets from him, what did that say about his character?
“Then I must make enquiries. I must examine that contract,” Hawthorne said, the prospect alone leaving him breathless. “You cannot wait for Lord Denby to haul your brother to court.”
Distracted by the task at hand, Hawthorne muttered to himself as he removed two large tomes from the bookcase and opened the small safe hidden behind.
He retrieved a file and a black velvet box and brought the items to his desk. “Your father went to great lengths to duplicate the letters documenting his investment with Mr Charmers of Britannia Shipping, even down to using a copy of Mr Charmers’ seal. These are the originals brought to this office for safekeeping. Since you’re here, I assume the copies he made were destroyed.”
“Apparently, his man of business lost them,” Elsa said.
Hawthorne shook his head. “Probably because they’re evidence Mr Charmers committed fraud. Your father suspected as much. He’d fallen for Lord Grafton’s scheme and that of the land agent Hines. He knew the shares in the shipping company were worthless.”
“Then why on earth did he invest?” Elsa said, aghast.
The answer came to Daniel like an epiphany. “Because your father suspected someone was out to ruin him. That man must be Lord Denby. It was a noose around your father’s neck that would force you to marry.”
Elsa frowned. “But I hardly know Lord Denby. Many ladies crave his attention. Why does he want to marry me so badly?”
Daniel could think of a few reasons.
Elsa was kind and compassionate and loved Clara like kin. She was loyal and forgiving and accepted that everyone made mistakes. She was beautiful inside and out and had a body made for sin. Yet there had to be another reason Denby had gone to great lengths to secure her hand in marriage.
“I believe that’s the question that plagued your father,” Hawthorne said, removing the documents from the file and showing them the financial reports. “I was able to obtain a copy of Britannia Shipping’s real financial report. It makes for an interesting comparison.”
He handed them the papers. The inflated profit on the original contract did not reflect the company’s accurate accounts.
Daniel tutted in frustration. “I could have told your father that Britannia Shipping was a struggling operation.”
“Mr Tyler knew but acted as the clueless investor because there was something he valued more.”
“Evidence against Charmers?” Daniel said.
“Indeed. You need a confession. If you can prove Lord Denby was somehow involved in the scheme, you’ll have grounds for breaching the marriage contract.”
