'And your stepmother?'
'Is with them.'
'Inheriting an earldom is certainly motive,' Mayne pointed out. 'Any one of them could have traveled back to England.'
'Very unlikely,' Daniel said. 'Their last letter to me arrived only a few days ago from Austria. They were having a delightful time and planned to journey to Italy from there.'
'Sounds like a friendly letter considering your strained relationship,' remarked Rayburn.
'They're always friendly when asking me for money,' Daniel said dryly. 'While both they and my stepmother are greedy and shallow, they're not murderers.'
'Any other enemies?' Rayburn asked.
'None that I'm aware of, but it seems quite clear I have one. I trust you'll keep trying to discover his identity. As will I.' Daniel rose. 'If there's nothing else…' he said, glancing pointedly at the door.
Rayburn and Mayne departed, although it was obvious to Daniel that Mayne wanted nothing more than to confine him in shackles and drag him off to the hangman's noose. He guessed Mayne suspected he'd bent the truth about leaving the house last night, and that didn't bode well. The Runner clearly thought him guilty. Which meant that Mayne would be spending his time looking for evidence against him rather than searching for the real killer.
Bloody hell.
A disturbing thought tickled the back of his mind, and with a frown, he paced before the hearth. It was glaringly clear that someone was trying to frame him for murder. But who? And why? Both victims were previous lovers. His frown deepened. Actually, they were two of his most recent lovers. The only women he'd been with since Blythe and Gwendolyn were Kimberly and-
Carolyn.
He halted as if he'd walked into a wall. Was his enemy specifically targeting his former lovers? It seemed so- and what better way to cast suspicion on him? In which case, both Kimberly and Carolyn could be in danger. The thought of Kimberly in danger angered and concerned him. But the thought Carolyn in danger-
He felt as if his heart stopped beating. The thought of Carolyn in danger chilled him to the bone. Did his enemy know of his relationship with Carolyn? And then another thought hit him-one that froze his blood.
What if that shot the night before last wasn't meant for him but for Carolyn?
For several seconds his lungs ceased to function. He had no proof, but the churning in his gut told him he was right. Perhaps his earlier lovers might be in danger, but based on the pattern of the last two crimes, Kimberly and Carolyn were the next logical victims. He ran into the foyer and quickly told Samuel and Barkley about his conversation with Rayburn and Mayne.
'Wot bloody idiots, thinkin' ye could hurt those ladies,' Samuel said, his eyes flashing.
'I agree, but that's not what's important right now. I need to warn Lady Walsh and Lady Wingate they might be in danger due to their… connection with me. Samuel, I want you to locate Rayburn and Mayne and tell them what I've told you. I don't know where they were going, but they'll eventually end up back at the Bow Street office.'
'Yes, milord.'
They left together, heading in opposite directions. When Daniel arrived at Carolyn's town house, Nelson said, 'Lady Wingate is not at home.'
Sick fear gripped Daniel. 'Where is she?'
'At her sister's town house. Marchioness Langston called twice today, most anxious to speak with Lady Wingate. Lady Wingate remained at home only long enough to change clothes then departed.'
'Are you certain she arrived safely?'
Nelson blinked. 'Yes, my lord. She sent the carriage back, saying Lord Langston would see her home.'
Relief loosened some of the tension gripping Daniel. He quickly related his concerns regarding Carolyn's safety to Nelson.
When he finished, the butler drew himself up to his full height and determination filled his eyes. 'I'll inform the rest of the household, my lord. Rest assured we'll allow no harm to come to Lady Wingate.'
'Excellent. I'm off now to warn Lady Wingate.'
'But who will protect
'I'm armed. And this bastard doesn't want to kill me-he wants me to hang for murder.' And based on his interview with Mayne and Rayburn, if he didn't act quickly, the bastard would most likely succeed.
Daniel left and climbed into his carriage. Although he wanted to go immediately to Carolyn, his rational mind told him she was safe with Matthew. Kimberly's home was on the way to Matthew's town house, and she needed to be warned as well. After giving his coachman Kimberly's direction, he sat back and prayed he was wrong about the danger. But everything inside him told him he was right.
When he arrived at Kimberly's town house, he was relieved to find her at home. He was greeted warmly by her butler, Sanders, and as on his previous visits, was shown to her private sitting room. She entered several minutes later, wearing an exquisite cream lace negligee and matching robe.
'How lovely to see you,' she said with a warm smile, holding out her hands. 'I called on you earlier today and was sorry to have missed you. At your club, were you?'
He squeezed her hands then released them. 'No. A quick jaunt to the country. Kimberly, there's something I must tell you.'
'Then by all means, let us sit.' She waved her hand toward the oversized sofa in front of the hearth. 'Would you care for a brandy?'
'No, thank you. Nor do I wish to sit.' He tersely told her everything, and watched her eyes widen with each sentence he spoke. When he finished, he asked, 'Who is here to protect you besides Sanders?'
'James, and you know what a strapping young man my footman is.'
'Good. Inform them both and do not go anywhere unescorted.' He lightly clasped her upper arms. 'Anywhere.'
'I won't, but darling, you're scaring me.' She reached and brushed her fingers over his tense jaw. 'I'd feel much safer if you stayed with me.'
He gave her shoulders an encouraging squeeze then released her. 'I'm sorry, but I must go. I've every confidence in James and Sanders.'
After extracting her promise to be careful, he departed, instructing his coachman to make haste to Matthew's town house. When he arrived, he was assured by Matthew's butler, Graham, that Lady Wingate was indeed there, visiting with Lady Langston, Lady Julianne, and Lady Emily in the marchioness's private sitting room. Daniel was about to demand to see her when Matthew strolled into the foyer.
'Seems to be our evening for visitors,' he said with a smile that faded as he drew closer to Daniel. 'Are you all right?'
Daniel shook his head. 'I need to speak to Carolyn.'
Matthew hesitated. 'She's with Sarah, who's been very anxious to speak with her all day. Emily and Julianne arrived just before you.' He turned to Graham. 'When the ladies come downstairs, please tell them Lord Surbrooke and I await them in the drawing room.'
'Yes, my lord.'
Daniel was about to protest, but decided that since Carolyn was clearly safe, he could take this opportunity to fill Matthew in on the latest developments.
Matthew led him into the drawing room, and after closing the door behind them, immediately asked, 'What's wrong, Daniel?'
He listened carefully while Daniel told him everything, concluding with, 'Now I must warn Carolyn. If anything were to happen to her…' His voice trailed off and he shook his head, unable to contemplate such an outcome. 'I want her safe. At all costs.'
Matthew made no reply. Instead, he walked to the decanters and poured two generous brandies. After handing a crystal snifter to Daniel, he said, 'I agree with your assessment that someone's trying to frame you, and is killing your former lovers in order to do so. But
Daniel dragged his hands down his face. 'I don't know. Since Gwendolyn's murder couldn't have been committed by Tolliver, I'm wondering if he either hired someone to commit the crime or perhaps had a silent business partner who is also facing financial ruin. Someone who would blame his difficulties on me for backing out