Confessions at Midnight

either, Daniel.'

And then he was gone.

And she climbed the stairs to her bedchamber on leaden legs.

Minutes after leaving Carolyn at her town house, Daniel, mentally drained and exhausted, approached his own home. Barkley and Samuel awaited him the foyer, the latter pacing the marble floor.

'Ye'll never guess wot, milord,' Samuel said the instant Daniel entered the foyer.

Bloody hell. He wasn't certain he had the strength for any further drama today. 'I can't imagine.'

'Those two blokes are back. The magistrate and the Runner. Been 'ere nigh on two hours waitin' on ye. We told 'em we didn't know when ye'd be returnin' but they insisted on waitin'.'

'Did they say why?'

Samuel shook his head and swallowed nervously.

Daniel clapped a reassuring hand on the young man's shoulder. 'No doubt they've made a breakthrough in Lady Crawford's murder. I'll see what they want.'

'Just in case they're here about young Samuel, I showed them into the library, my lord,' Barkley intoned. 'I thought perhaps they might enjoy Naughty's company.'

Good God. Two hours with Naughty? He doubted either man would be amused.

He entered the library and was relieved to note that Naughty was sleeping. Rayburn and Mayne rose, and after greetings were exchanged, Mayne said in his brusque manner, 'You've been out all day, Lord Surbrooke?'

'Yes. I arrived home just now.'

'Where have you been?'

'I visited my country home in Kent.'

Mayne's brows rose. 'Rather a long trip for one day.'

'The weather was good and I enjoy the journey.'

Rayburn cleared his throat. 'You must have gotten an early start this morning. What time did you leave?'

'Around seven.' His gaze shifted between them. 'Gentlemen, I'm weary and would like retire, so perhaps you could get to the point of this visit. Is it regarding Tolliver? Or Lady Crawford's murder?'

'Now why would you think we're here about Lady Crawford's murder?' Mayne asked sharply.

'I can only assume you're here about one or the other, as I can't see that we have anything else to discuss.'

'I'm afraid we do,' Rayburn said, his deep voice serious. 'Tell me, Lord Surbrooke, what time did you depart Lord Exbury's party last evening?'

'I'm not exactly certain, but I'd guess around one A.M.'

'Did you come straight home?'

'Yes.'

'Did you remain at home?'

He hesitated for single beat, during which he shoved his conscience aside. 'Yes.' He had. For about twenty minutes before leaving to go to Carolyn.

Mayne's eyes narrowed with clear distrust. 'Rayburn and I observed you talking to Lady Margate at the Exbury soiree last evening.'

Daniel thought for several seconds then nodded. 'We exchanged a few pleasantries.'

'What is your relationship with her?'

'We are friends.'

'We've heard from several sources that as recently as last year you were more.'

'It's no secret that Gwendolyn and I had a brief affair.'

'Did you give her any jewelry, as you had Lady Crawford?' asked Rayburn.

'Yes. A bracelet.'

'Sapphires?'

Daniel nodded. 'As a matter of fact she was wearing it last evening.' A fissure of unease snaked down his spine. 'Why do you ask?'

'Because, Lord Surbrooke,' said Rayburn, 'Lady Margate was found dead early this morning, in the mews behind Lord Exbury's town house. She was bludgeoned to death-the same method as your other previous lover, Lady Crawford. And you, my lord, are the one common link between the two murders.'

Chapter Twenty

A woman should never be afraid to take the initiative in lovemaking. I never had a lover complain that I was too forward or wanton, but plenty of them complained about their wives who did little more than lay immobile beneath them and cringe. Which is, of course, why those gentlemen sought me out in the first place.

Memoirs of a Mistress by An Anonymous Lady

Daniel stared at the two men and forced his outward demeanor to remain calm-a marked contrast to his inner turmoil. He could barely comprehend that Gwendolyn was dead, let alone that Mayne and Rayburn suspected him of murder. They'd been suspicious after Blythe's death, Mayne especially, though he hadn't been overly concerned. But now…

He lifted his brows. 'You really believe me capable of committing such crimes?'

'Given the right provocation, any man is capable of murder, my lord,' Mayne said, his dark eyes never shifting from Daniel's face.

'Yourself included?' Daniel asked, his own gaze not wavering.

'Any man,' Mayne reiterated.

'And what could possibly motivate me to kill two women, both of whom I was fond?'

'Perhaps you weren't as fond of them as you'd like us to believe,' Mayne stated.

'You'd have a great deal of trouble proving that, especially as it isn't true. While the evidence seems to point to me-'

'There's no 'seems to' about it,' Mayne broke in. 'It does point to you. Only you.'

'Very conveniently so,' Daniel said. 'Too conveniently. Surely it's occurred to you that someone is trying to make me look like the guilty party.'

'That's what you said about Tolliver,' Rayburn said. 'He couldn't have murdered Lady Margate, as he's in custody.'

'But he certainly could have killed Lady Crawford,' Daniel said, striving to keep his annoyance in check. 'And shot at me. Unless you think I shot at myself. Perhaps Tolliver arranged for someone else to kill Lady Margate in the same way as Lady Crawford. The man threatened me, wanted revenge on me. What better way than to see me ruined and hanged for murder?'

Rayburn frowned. 'Then why try to shoot you?'

'Impatience perhaps?' Daniel suggested. 'I've no idea the workings of a madman's mind.'

'Who stands to inherit your title and properties should you die?' Mayne asked.

Daniel hesitated at the abrupt question, then said, 'My younger half brother, Stuart. And after him, his younger brother, George.'

'Half brothers?' said Rayburn.

'My father remarried after my mother's death.'

'And how is your relationship with them?'

'Strained,' Daniel admitted. 'However, neither could be responsible, as they're on the continent. Have been for the past several months.'