Regina lowered her head in acknowledgement, but Mr Sidney’s expression turned solemn. ‘I regret that my presence may cause some distress. That was not my intention.’
‘I am certain that whatever you’ve learned, we can resolve it,’ Dalton answered. ‘Please, sit.’ He glanced at the Earl of Havershire, who was staring at the opposite side of the room. He held a handkerchief in one hand, and his expression appeared weary.
‘You asked me to find out who was blackmailing the earl and his family,’ the man began. ‘It took a few weeks, but I did find out that it was a woman. One who was rather desperate for funds.’ He cleared his throat and met Regina’s gaze with regret. ‘She was there at your residence, waiting for you that night before you arrived home from the ball.’
His wife paled and touched her hand to her mouth. ‘Was it my maid? Nell’s grandfather was there that night. Did she come to visit him? I thought they were loyal to us, but perhaps I was mistaken.’
Mr Sidney shook his head slowly. ‘No, my lady. It was not Nell.’ He turned to Dalton and said, ‘May I speak privately with you, my lord?’
‘My wife may stay and hear all of it,’ he countered. ‘This does involve her.’
The man shook his head. ‘I have risked a great deal by coming here unofficially. This is not my jurisdiction, but out of courtesy, I felt it best to tell you what I’ve learned. And I fear, I must insist that we speak alone. That includes Havershire.’
Dalton felt Regina’s icy fingers, and she seemed unsteady on her feet. ‘It will be all right,’ he told her. ‘We’ll talk of it later.’ He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and she risked a look back before she took her father’s arm.
Before they left, Havershire paused at the doorway. ‘I will keep her safe, Camford. No matter what happens.’ With that, he escorted her out.
Dalton didn’t know what to think of that cryptic remark, but he intended to ask later. The Bow Street Runner waited until he was certain they were alone. A few moments later, he lowered his voice. ‘There are some complications you should be aware of, my lord. The blackmailer provided some anonymous details that could prove troublesome, should they come to light.’
He sobered, knowing what the man was about to say. ‘It’s about Mallencourt, isn’t it?’
Mr Sidney nodded. ‘The night he...died, the coroner ruled his death an accident. But the blackmailer has threatened to go to the press with details about how his death was a murder instead.’
‘It was not murder,’ Dalton argued. He wanted to reveal more but decided to hold back the truth.
‘That may be. But even a breath of this scandal would ruin both your families.’ Mr Sidney cleared his throat. ‘I am certain your father would not want this.’
Dalton had no doubt of it. If the earl learned that he was now entangled in a cover up of manslaughter, his father would never speak to him again.
‘You asked me to identify the blackmailer.’ Mr Sidney reached for a pen and ink on a nearby table and scratched a name upon the paper. ‘This is she. But there is danger in this. If she is arrested for her blackmail, she has enough family connections to cause irreparable damage to your name.’
Dalton stared at the name in disbelief. This would indeed cause Regina pain. He crumpled up the paper and walked over to toss it in the hearth. It caught fire and blazed, turning the name into ash. ‘What do you advise?’
‘Keep your wife here, in Scotland. She is out of London jurisdiction here and can be kept safe. Let the blackmailer reveal the knowledge, if she will, and there is a chance that no one will believe her. Since she is destitute with no father to speak for her, she could be viewed as manipulative or scheming to gain money.’
Dalton thought about it for a time and said, ‘So we are calling her out?’
The Bow Street Runner paused. ‘I have known men like Mallencourt. I wouldn’t let a dog near him, much less a lady. I am willing to let the past remain there.’
‘So be it.’ It wasn’t the greatest solution, but it was best for all families involved. ‘I will speak with my wife and let her know that she cannot return to London.’
Mr Sidney stood from his chair and extended his hand. ‘And should anyone ask you, I did not travel to Scotland, nor did we have this conversation.’
Chapter Twelve
Regina was pacing in Dalton’s bedchamber, waiting for the news, when finally, the door opened. ‘What did you learn?’
He went to sit on the edge of the bed. ‘The investigator believes it’s best if you remain in Scotland. It will be safer for you to avoid scandal. The woman has threatened to tell everyone about Mallencourt, if she is arrested for blackmail. She has enough influence to cause problems for both our families. But Sidney thinks that no one will believe her, since it happened so long ago, and she is rather desperate for funds.’ He paused a moment and said, ‘I think he’s right. If you stay in Scotland, and we say nothing, it’s for the best.’
She couldn’t imagine how a servant or a commoner could have so much power. No one in the press would believe such slander. ‘Who was it, Dalton?’
His mouth tightened, but he admitted, ‘It was Lord Blyton’s daughter, Lady Anne.’
Anne? It felt as if she’d taken a blow to her stomach. At first, denial rose to her lips. Anne was her friend. They had laughed together, attended outings along the Serpentine, and she could not imagine such a thing. ‘How is this possible? Why would she—?’ Her words broke off as she considered it. Anne’s father had died years ago. Her mother had many daughters, and the earl had left them penniless. No doubt Anne was trying to survive—but the betrayal cut her
