John looked astonished. "Good Lord, no! It is Hirst. Edwina's husband. He is dead. Murdered. His body was found concealed in an old chest and stuffed down an abandoned well in a small hamlet not far from Cheltenham. We only learned of it last night. Apparently one of the locals recognized him." His mouth twisted. "Or rather what was left of him. Though it has been rather cool of late, the corpse had begun to decay—the stench was quite distinctive. In trying to find the source of the smell, Hirst's body was discovered. He was identified, without question, by the calling cards he carried in his waistcoat pocket. My father was the first to learn the news. As we speak, the other members of the family are being informed of the tragedy." He hesitated. "Considering your recent marriage, my father did not want you and Thea involved—at least not for a few days yet. He wanted, and I concurred, for you to have some time to yourselves before being plunged into this nasty business." He made a face. "I should have gone to Miss Bradford's first as I had originally planned, but I thought it might be wise to make certain that Edwina was home before seeing Miss Bradford. Even though Miss Bradford is not related to Edwina, she did help raise her, and we thought since we didn't want Thea involved just yet, Miss Bradford should be with Edwina at a time like this. Once Miss Bradford was with her and she had been told of Hirst's death, I was to make arrangements to sweep her away to the seclusion and comfort of our family's estate." A wry expression on his face, he continued, "Thea's presence this morning at Edwina's threw me off stride. Hoping that Thea would be gone when I returned with Miss Bradford, I hurried away, but when I called at Miss Bradford's home, I had just missed her—she had gone on an errand." He smiled disarmingly. "I was at my wits' end. Since I could not talk to Miss Bradford, I decided to tell you what had happened and to let you decide how soon Thea should know of this tragedy." John grimaced. "She did not like Hirst very well, but even she would not have wanted him dead—especially not murdered." John shook his head. "It is a shocking, shocking thing to have happened. One does not expect one's relatives, even if connected only by marriage, to be murdered."
Patrick homed in on the only thing that mattered to him. "You saw Thea at Edwina's this morning?" he demanded, his gray eyes intent.
Taken aback at Patrick's manner, John replied slowly, "Why, yes, I had just arrived at Edwina's when I saw her go into Edwina's house. Is something wrong?"
Patrick relaxed, realizing what must have happened. "It is merely a minor misunderstanding," he said lightly. "Thea had told me that she was going to visit with Modesty this morning while I undertook a pressing errand." He shrugged. "My errand did not take long, and I decided to join her, only to discover, as you had, that Miss Bradford was not at home. Thea must have discovered the same thing and decided to visit with Edwina instead." Even as the words left his mouth, Patrick knew that something was amiss with his conclusions. Tillman had stated quite clearly that Thea had not been there at all this morning. So how had she known that Modesty was not at home?
"Now that you know that Hirst is dead," John said, interrupting his thoughts, "what do you want to do? Conceal the fact from Thea for a few days, or shall you tell her?"
Patrick made a face. He could hardly tell John that Thea had known for some time that Hirst was dead. But he rather thought that it would be a good thing for the news of Hirst's death to be out in the open—Thea would no longer be plagued with worry about when and where the body would be discovered. His lips curved ruefully. Of course, that meant that he could kiss good-bye any thoughts of a bridal journey. Thea would want to be with her sister, and he could not blame her. No. It would be better if Thea found out now about the discovery of Hirst's body and was able to comfort Edwina. They would have time enough for a bridal journey—one that Thea would enjoy far more once this ugly business was behind her.
Glancing at John's anxious features, Patrick said, "I shall go with you to my sister-in-law's. I think that it is best Thea be with her at this time." He smiled. "My wife is a strong woman. I think that she would rather hear the news of Hirst's demise now than at a later date."
"You know my cousin well," John said. He pulled a face and admitted, "Even with Miss Bradford there, I was not looking forward to telling Edwina about Hirst—she is prone to hysterics, you know. I know that it will disrupt your plans, but I shall be glad to have you and Thea at my side."
Patrick nodded as they walked to the door. Idly he asked, "Do the authorities have any idea who might have murdered Hirst?"
John shook his head decisively. "No. But it is not such a surprising occurrence when you think of it—and the manner of the man. He was a gambler of the worst sort, and his reputation was not savory." He sighed. "While none of us ever expected something this terrible to have happened, in a way, considering his way of life and his cronies, it is not so very shocking." He glanced at Patrick. "There is one odd coincidence though... Did you know that the body of his cousin, Tom Ellsworth, was found the day of your wedding? He, too, had been murdered. Shot. It makes you wonder if the pair of them weren't involved in something dangerous, doesn't it?"
"Er, that is one possibility," Patrick answered.
"It is a wicked thing to say," John muttered, "but I do not believe that Hirst or Ellsworth will be mourned by very many. I know that most of my family will not be sorry Edwina is finally freed from Hirst. Several of us have been within Ames-ace of calling him out these past few months." He grinned. "That is, if we could first prevent Thea from breaking open his head. She loathed him."
When they reached the wide main entry hall of the house, Patrick rang for Chetham. A moment later, the butler appeared. At Patrick's request that the carriage be brought 'round, he bowed and departed on his errand.
The two gentlemen decided to step outside to await the carriage's appearance. The conversation between them was polite, but distracted, both of them busy with their thoughts as they scanned the street. Neither man was enjoying the prospect before them, although Patrick had less to worry about than John did. The news of Hirst's death would come as no surprise to Thea and would actually bring her a measure of relief. Their carriage had just turned the corner approaching the house when a smart Highflyer, pulled by a pair of matched grays, drove up. To Patrick's astonishment, Nigel jumped down and turned to help down his passenger, Miss Bradford. It took them but a moment to climb the steps.
Patrick took one look at Modesty's face and motioned to his coachman, who had just driven up behind the Highflyer, to wait.
"What is it?" he demanded, the most terrifying emotions roiling in his chest.
Nigel made a face. "You'll have to hear it from Miss Bradford. I am merely conveying her to you."
When Patrick looked to her, Modesty gave a sharp shake of her head. "We cannot talk here. Let us go inside."
Once more in the library, the three gentlemen stared at Modesty. She sighed. "I had hoped to avoid just this sort of scene, but Thea has left me no choice." She glanced at Patrick. "Did she tell you about Edwina and Mr. Yates?"
"Yates!" Mr. Hazlett interrupted. "What does that bounder have to do with Edwina?"
"Nothing with Edwina, but I believe that her husband owes him a great deal of money. Money that he is attempting to wrest from Edwina. Thea was supposed to have met with Yates this morning at twelve o'clock at Edwina's and paid him seventeen thousand pounds." At the expression on Patrick's face, she said defensively, "I told her to tell you, but I could not make her do so."
Patrick cocked a brow. "You did not feel it proper to perhaps write and tell me yourself?"
Modesty flushed and looked uncomfortable. "I felt that I had, uh, interfered in your lives enough as it was. And I was hoping that Thea would tell you on her own without my intervention."
"But you are intervening... what changed your mind?"
"Because I was afraid that Thea would do just as she has—gone to the meeting without telling you! I thought I had washed my hands of the matter, but this morning, not knowing what Thea had decided to do, I made up my mind to attend the meeting mys
elf." Anxiety flickering in her blue eyes, she confessed, "I went to Edwina's and knocked on the door, but there was no answer." Her hands clenched together. "I did not know what to do. I knew that Thea had to be there, but the place seemed deserted. Certainly there was no answer to my knock."
Patrick turned and looked at Nigel. His face and voice deceptively mild, he asked, "And your part in this farce?"
"Oh, don't bully him!" Modesty snapped. "I had foolishly dismissed my hackney and was walking away from Edwina's when he drove by. He stopped to exchange greetings and when I explained my dilemma, he kindly offered me a ride."
"I must thank you, dear lady, for leaping to my defense," Nigel murmured. "When Patrick gets that sleepy look on his face, he's all the more dangerous." Glancing over to Patrick, he said, "It is clear that Thea has the bit between her teeth once again. The fact that Yates has entered the scene changes the whole concept of a sisterly visit. I think that we should go and rescue your wife, don't you?"
"If Yates is involved, she will certainly need rescuing," John muttered, his expression unhappy.
"I agree," said Nigel, his eyes meeting Patrick's. "Ugly things seem to happen to those unfortunate souls who run afoul of Yates. He is a very dangerous man."
Patrick's jaw hardened and he smothered a curse. He should have known that the affair would not end so easily—especially not when Thea was involved! His reckless darling was meeting with one of the most dangerous men in London, probably convinced that she had the matter well in hand. Instead, her lovely little neck might very well be threatened—if not by Yates, he decided grimly, by her devoted husband. When he finally got his hands on his wife, after assuring himself that she was unharmed, he thought that he might very well strangle her.
Modesty was staring at Nigel, her face white with horror. "Good heavens! We had no idea that he had such a terrible reputation," she said numbly as she turned to look at Patrick. "All we knew was that he had threatened Edwina, demanding his money. I thought she was exaggerating, as she is wont to do. Thea was going to pay him..." her voice faltered, "...and threaten him with the authorities if he dared to bother Edwina ever again."
Looking very much like a big, sleepy cat, Patrick purred, "In that case, I think that I should be at my wife's side when she faces this brute. I shall, er, lend credence to her threat." One brow rose as he glanced at Nigel. "Don't you agree?"
"Oh, precisely, my dear fellow. Precisely."
* * *
At that very moment Thea was glancing again at the clock on the bookcase. The minute hand had inched past the half hour several minutes ago and there was still no sign of Yates. She got up and took a turn around the room.
"Oh, this is ridiculous," she said finally. "Where is the fellow?"
"Oh, he'll be here soon," Edwina said, "Of that you can be assured. Seventeen thousand pounds is a powerful lure."
The words had just left Edwina's mouth when the sounds of approaching footsteps came to them. Both women stiffened and exchanged looks.
"That must be him!" Thea hissed. "How the devil did he get into the house?"
Her blue eyes so big they dominated her small face, Edwina stammered, "H-h-he told me to leave the tradesman's door unlocked and... and I d-d-did." At Thea's incredulous look, she said, "He is a terrifying man. I dared not disobey him."
Thea made an impatient sound but, preparing for battle, grasped the reticule that had been resting on the floor near the chair where she had been sitting. Chin up, shoulders back, she faced the door, her heart beating.
Chapter 19
The man who pushed open the door and entered the room was a stranger to Thea. With Edwina's description in mind, she was relieved that he did not look particularly threatening. He was large and burly, it was true, but he also had the merriest blue eyes that Thea had ever seen, and she felt more of her unease ebbing. He was tastefully garbed, his dark blue coat and buff breeches were finely tailored, his boots gleamed, and his neckwear was clean and neatly tied. He was smiling as he came into the room and shut the door behind him.
"Ladies," he said in a pleasant tone, "I am sorry that I have kept you waiting."
Approaching Thea, he bowed with all the grace of a gentleman born. "Allow me to introduce myself: I am Asher Yates. You are, I believe, Mrs. Blackburne? Your sister has spoken of you often."
"Er, yes," Thea mumbled, trying to reconcile this charming fellow with Edwina's ogre.
"Oh, stop your playacting!" Edwina said nervously from her position behind the desk. "Take the money and do what I p-p-paid you to do."
Ignoring Thea's astonished expression, Yates glanced at Edwina. "So, you are still of the same mind?"
Not meeting Thea's eyes, Edwina nodded. "Yes."
Yates turned to look at Thea. He was smiling, and his eyes were just as merry, but she was suddenly conscious of being in danger. He reached out for the reticule she still clutched at her side, and said, "I'll take that, Madam. I believe it belongs to me."
"I think not," Thea said, stepping away from him. Fencing for time as she tried to make sense of Edwina's attitude, she faced Yates squarely. "You and I," she declared, "have several things to settle before I hand over this reticule to you."
He shook his head. "We have nothing to settle, Madam—my bargain is with your sister."
"And what," Thea asked, "is the nature of your bargain with my sister?"
He smiled, and Thea wondered how she had ever thought his smile pleasant and his eyes merry. They were the coldest, most calculating eyes she had ever seen in her life.
"A rather simple task," he said. "I am to kill you and arrange for your body to be found far away from here." He looked soulful. "It will be a tragic accident, I think. Perhaps you shall be thrown from a carriage and your neck broken."
Thea glanced from one face to the other, her thoughts spinning wildly. It was difficult to credit Edwina with such malice, but it was obvious that her sister had indeed hired this smiling-faced villain to murder her. What astonished her most was that she accepted so easily the fact that Edwina was capable of such an act.
Edwina would not look at her, keeping her eyes downcast, her face averted. There was a flush on her cheeks and a sullen cast to her mouth. She looked, Thea thought dispassionately, just as she always did when she had been caught doing some mischief. Guilty and yet unabashed.
Thea did not doubt that Yates spoke the truth. Why would he lie? But she had to hear the words from Edwina herself. Quietly, she asked Edwina, "Is this true? Have you hired him to murder me?"
Edwina's gaze met hers briefly before skittering away. "I didn't want to," she said in a low voice.
"Then why?"
Edwina's lips thinned. "What does it matter? Besides, why should I explain myself to you?"
"Since I am destined to die... and at your bidding, I think it is only fair that I at least understand why," Thea said evenly. When Edwina remained silent, Thea pleaded, "I am going to pay with my life for the information that only you and Yates can give me—won't you please grant me this last request? You have nothing to lose—I am going to die, so I will not be able to repeat anything you tell me."
"The lady makes a persuasive argument," Yates drawled. "Why not tell her... why not let her see you as you are?"
"Shut your mouth!" Edwina shouted, throwing a vicious look at Yates. She glanced at Thea. "You are rather calm about this whole thing."
Thea made a face. "I doubt that hysterics would gain me anything." Trying to gain time and, in spite of the circumstances, morbidly curious, she took a deep breath, and asked, "So tell me: Why have you hired this gentleman to murder me?"
"I didn't want to," Edwina repeated, apparently having decided to grant Thea the explanation she requested. "I simply have no choice."
"What do you mean—you have no choice?"
Edwina flashed her a petulant glance. "I was there that night—I heard what Hirst said to you. He was willing to desert me for money! It was obvious that he never loved me, that the only reason he marri
ed me was because he wanted to get his hands on your fortune."
"You were there? But how did you know of the meeting? It was supposed to be a secret." Thea said, surprised, and yet not, at Edwina's admission. Especially not when she recalled Edwina's unattractive habit of listening at keyholes and her own uneasy feeling that night of being watched.
Edwina gave an ugly laugh. "The same way I learned that Hirst and Ellsworth were blackmailers—I listened at the door. Ellsworth came to call, and Hirst told him all about the meeting he had set up with you. I already knew, from what I had overheard some days earlier of their scheme to blackmail Lady Caldecott, that they were using the Curzon Street house as their base. It was simple enough for me to leave home before my husband and to arrive ahead of both of you. Finding a convenient place to listen was not difficult." She gave a scornful laugh. "Neither one of you even suspected that I was there."
Thea managed to hide her start of surprise at the revelation that Hirst and Ellsworth had been blackmailing Lady Caldecott. Patrick's presence at Curzon Street that fateful night was finally explained. He must have come to the house to meet with his mother's blackmailer. No wonder he would not tell her why he had been there.
"Er, no, we didn't," Thea said lamely. She glanced at Yates, wondering at his part in what had happened that night. Hirst had been frightened that night. He'd been desperate to get the money from her. When he could not pay, had Yates murdered him?
Almost as if he read her mind, Yates shook his head. "No, Madam, it was not I who plunged those scissors into him." He nodded in Edwina's directions. "It was his dear, sweet, loving wife. I only, ah, disposed of the body for her and that sniveling coward, Ellsworth."
Revulsion flooded Thea. It had been Edwina who had murdered him in that ghastly way! She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Dear, sweet, innocent-looking Edwina. Thea looked at her sister in disbelief. "You killed him?"
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