Page 41 of Her Heart's Rightful Earl
As Marcus lowered his hand, it came to rest at his temple, and he massaged the side of his head, squinting his eyes up.
“Are you feeling well, Lord Wellwood? You do not have a megrim, I hope?”
“I amverywell, thank you, Miss Arabella!” Marcus smiled widely, and his voice echoed throughout the morning room.
Then he narrowed his eyes and leaned towards her. Peering at her intently, he whispered, “You’ve been very observant recently!”
His immediate switch in personality and the way his mood darkened made Arabella step back.
But she smiled tightly, pretending he had not made her feel threatened by his intimidation, suppressing the chill that ran down her spine.
Chapter 12
“Exotic?” Alexander’s voice erupted too loudly and echoed around the cold, abandoned church.
“Shh …” Thomas reminded him, and they looked around, checking that they had not disturbed anybody, alerting them to their presence.
They scanned the crumbling stone walls, with ivy trailing in from the outside, the broken pews where the wood had become damp and splintered. The stone floor seemed to radiate a chill, and Alexander pulled his worn coat closer around his body, turning back to Captain Morrison to continue his explanation.
“Yes, exotic poison. The physician has confirmed it was not the standard poison he sees administered in such cases, but an expensive toxin of continental origin. A serum of this value would require significant resources and criminal connections to obtain.”
Thomas and Alexander exchanged a troubled glance.
“Then are we to assume that the murderer is a member of the Ton?” Alexander asked the captain.
The captain’s expression jerked as it was prone to do, and the two friends sat patiently, waiting for him to regain his composure.
“Indeed. A murder of this sophistication would have required advanced planning by a man of intellect. Only someone wealthy with dangerous connections would use such methods.”
Thomas cleared his throat. “I feel obliged to draw attention to a situation I feel loath to reference, but Lord Marcus Hartwell, your brother, has become a frequent gambler. His reputation precedes him in Mayfair’s casinos. He spends money nightly that would ruin men of less wealth.” Thomas looked intently at his best friend. “I am sorry—I know that you trust your brother to take care of your mother and the estate–”
“And well he does! He would never allow any harm to come to Mother!” Alexander retorted defensively.
“But of course not. However, it would be remiss of me not to mention the staggering debts he has accrued, and I am aware that he has obligations to some of London's most dangerous moneylenders; the likes of whom are known to collect through violence when payments lag …”
Alexander frowned at Thomas, outraged, then laughed.
“Why would you trust the rumours you hear in society, Carrington? When you know our family intimately. Please do not entertain the gossip you hear!”
“If I may–” Captain Morrison interrupted. “I must support Lord Carrington’s account. I have, of course, researched all characters your father spent time with or held association with, and I, too, found evidence of your brother’s excessive gambling habits, and one informant I met with claims Marcus's debts have tripled in recent months. It is a slippery slope …”
Alexander stood, feeling personally attacked by this line of questioning. “Marcus’s gambling may be habitual, but it will be no different from half the young gentlemen in London! I am sure that my brother seeks distraction from the crushing responsibility of running the estate, rather than pursuing any criminal enterprises as you suggest.”
“Wellwood,” Thomas stood, extending his hand out with his palm flat to placate his friend. “This is not an accusation, merely an open conversation. We must investigate everybody linked with your father and expose all their vices to eliminate them as potential suspects.”
“This is simply a process of elimination?” Alexander asked, eyeing Captain Morrison.
“Of course!” Thomas confirmed, gesturing that they should sit again on the damp pew.
“At this stage,” the captain clarified, and Alexander reluctantly took his seat again.
“Listen, I know my brother,” Alexander continued more calmly. “It is likely Marcus borrowed money to keep the estate afloat; so keen he would be to honour our father’s memory and not fail him. He would not fritter away the family’s wealth for personal pleasure.”
“Witnesses I have spoken with have seen Marcus meeting with known criminals late at night,” Captain Morrison revealed coolly.
“Who are these supposed witnesses?” Alexander demanded. “Likely people operating out of jealousy, with contempt towards poor Marcus! Perhapstheseare the people we should be investigating!”
“I must confess, I have also seen Marcus meeting with notorious criminals …” Thomas whispered, his head hung in shame.
