'Because…' Her flush deepened, and she looked ashamed. 'Oh, dear heavens, Captain. I was a fool. Mr. Inglethorpe told me he would have another gathering at his house on Thursday, and that I could return and partake of more of his magic gas. I did not want to; it made me rather sick, as I told you. But he said he had invited you as well. So I thought, the next day, I'd simply bring your walking stick with me and give it back to you.'
'But when you reached Inglethorpe's, you realized he had deceived you.'
Her gray eyes sparkled in anger. 'The odious man had me wait in his reception room; I did not realize at first that I was the only person to arrive.'
'When did you discover your mistake?'
'When he returned to the reception room and closed me in with him. I wanted to leave right away, but he bade me stay.'
'But the servants swore in court that they saw no one. Who let you in?'
'Inglethorpe answered the door himself. He must have been waiting for me. My footman had knocked on the door, then nipped down the scullery stairs to the kitchens. When Inglethorpe appeared instead of his butler, I grew nervous. I meant to call my footman back, but Inglethorpe came outside and drew me in.'
Thus explaining the mud on his indoor shoes.
'I am beginning to be happy you had a weapon with you,' I said. 'What happened then?'
'Mr. Inglethorpe asked, rather rudely, why I was carrying a gentleman's walking stick. I explained that you had left it and that I had brought it to give you. He looked annoyed and snatched it away from me.'
My voice became a growl. 'Did he?'
'That was not the worst of it. He pulled the sword partway out, and he…' Her face turned scarlet. 'He made lewd gestures with it.'
Bloody bastard. I wished Inglethorpe alive gain so I could have the joy of pummeling him. I hoped he was roasting in hell.
'I'm sorry,' I said. 'The man needed calling out.'
'I was mortified. I tried to leave, but he blocked the way. Then he began talking about my late husband, Mickey, and how he'd always admired him. He said… Oh, dear lord, I can hardly repeat it.'
'Do not, if it distresses you. I believe I can guess the gist.'
'No, I want to tell you. I cannot bear to keep it inside any longer, and of course I cannot relieve my feelings talking to my uncle or aunt. Mr. Inglethorpe said he'd always wanted to take Mickey to bed, but now that Mickey was gone, I would do.' Tears of mortification welled in her eyes.
My rage grew. 'Mr. Inglethorpe is lucky he is dead.'
'I could not think what to say or do. I had gone there out of my own foolishness. Mr. Inglethorpe was between me and the door, and he began taking off his coat and waistcoat. He was very careful and deliberate about it, almost taunting me. I had never been so disgusted and afraid in my life.'
My hands curled to fists. 'Please tell me you got away.'
Mrs. Danbury nodded. 'When he turned to lay his clothing on a chair, I ran. He grabbed for me and nearly had me, but mercifully, I was too quick. I ran out of the house. I climbed into my carriage and told the coachman to go, quickly.' She laughed, tears choking her voice. 'I left my poor footman behind. He ran up the scullery stairs as we pulled away, swearing like a sailor. But I was afraid to stop, and the poor fellow had to walk home.'
She twisted her hands, her laughter dying. 'Later when I heard Mr. Inglethorpe had been killed with the swordstick, I did not know what to think. I was afraid to mention my part in the matter; I was afraid the magistrates would believe I killed him. I swore my servants to silence and I lied to you and to the coroner. I am sorry, Captain, but I was so afraid.'
'Of course you were,' I said, gentling my voice. She'd been foolish, but not guilty of evil. 'But it no longer matters. Mr. Chapman confessed to murdering him, and you no longer need to worry.'
She sniffled as she drew a handkerchief from her sleeve. 'It has been horrible. I expected the magistrates to arrive and arrest me any moment. And at the inquest, I dreaded the moment when one of the others would announce that they'd seen me take the walking stick. I can only thank heaven that no one did.'
'Lady Breckenridge saw you.'
Mrs. Danbury stared with tear-filled eyes. 'Did she? She not say so.'
'She has her own sense of honor,' I said. 'She thought it would be unfair to you.'
Mrs. Danbury looked puzzled but merely wiped her nose again. 'I know ought to have told you, Captain, but I was utterly humiliated. I did not want you to know I'd been anywhere near the man, and I did not want you to believe I'd killed him. I could only imagine that you'd share the story with Mr. Grenville, and then it would be all over London.'
'You mistake me,' I said in surprise. 'I would never have done such a thing.'
'I know that now.' Mrs. Danbury gave me a regretful smile. 'Uncle and Leland believe that you are the most honorable gentleman alive. But I could scarcely credit that you were as fine as they painted you.'
'Because they are apt to believe the very best of everyone.'
'They do.' Her smile held more warmth. 'But I am beginning to believe they are correct about you.'
A warmth began in my breastbone. 'Your uncle and cousin are far kinder than I deserve. But I have some blame in this-Inglethorpe ought to have been flogged, but I was the one who so foolishly left my walking stick behind in the first place.'
'Do not blame yourself, Captain. I ought to have left well enough alone.'
'You had no need to bother returning the walking stick directly to me, you know. You could have left it with Sir Gideon-I was due to dine here, or Sir Gideon could have sent it on to me.'
'Yes, I know. I thought of that.' She reddened. 'But you see, Captain, I thought it would be much more pleasant to return it to you myself.'
I regarded her in surprise. She sounded suddenly shy. Shy, when I knew this woman was popular in society and courted by some of the most eligible bachelors in London.
'You are kind,' I said, my voice softening.
Her shyness fell away, and her look turned almost flirtatious. 'I so enjoyed waltzing with you, Captain, that I rather hoped I could do it again.'
Heat suffused my face. 'I made quite a cake of myself leaping about like a caper merchant. I apologize for that liberty.'
'I seem to recall I did not mind in the least.' Mrs. Danbury flashed me a smile. It was a nice smile, one that deepened the corners of her mouth. While this lady was much more aware of the world than her ingenuous cousins, she still possessed their sweetness.
She took my arm. 'Shall we walk?'
We strolled together to the garden. The January night was colder now, far too cold for traversing garden paths, but the Derwents seemed to create a warmth of their own. Soon we were laughing and talking together, never minding the weather. Mrs. Danbury's story relieved me, and I let myself enjoy the rest of the evening.
The chill in my heart returned with a vengeance when I entered my rooms later that night and found Kensington there, waiting for me.
Chapter Eighteen
Kensington sat before of my fire, which he'd stoked high, and he'd lit all my candles. The light fell on his round face, which looked a bit haggard.
'Good evening, Captain,' he said. 'I am a bit put out with you.'
I closed the door. I had told Bartholomew to return to Grenville's to visit his brother tonight, knowing that I'd soon be taking him off with me to Berkshire. Kensington would never have gained admittance had Bartholomew remained.
'For Sir Montague's visit with Lady Jane?' I asked. 'I cannot apologize for that.'
Kensington smiled, but the smile was strained. 'I recall telling you on my last visit that you would pay for what you have done, Captain. Your nose may not be as long as your friend Grenville's, but you continue to push it
