A Devil Named DeVere (The Devil DeVere)(36)

"Damn it, Diana!" he cried. "I thought nothing of the kind until you began talking nonsense about secrets and things I should know."

"I was trying to warn you that Reggie threatened extortion. That he found out about you and me and intended to take you to the courts of law."

"That's nothing less than I would have expected from that pusillanimous pile of—" He caught himself. "I'm sorry."

She waved the apology away, but her lips quivered, and her eyes glistened. He couldn't tell if it was with grief or rage. "How could you think me capable of such wickedness?"

Rage then. He groaned. "What the hell was I to think?"

"But to even imagine for a moment!" she argued.

"Look, Diana," he retorted. "I've just seen a man's brains splattered on a wall. I may not be in the most lucid state of mind at the moment."

"Dear God!" she whispered. "What happened?"

"I don't precisely know. In brief, my man, Pratt, found two bodies in your stallion's box. One was your unconscious groom, the other was what remains of your husband after he took a bullet through the mouth. The offending pistol was still in his hand."

"Suicide?"

"A highly suspicious one, if you ask me, but there will, of course, be an inquest. I have sent word to the J.P. I believe he will take charge of the entire affair."

"Reggie's really dead, then."

Was it shock or relief in her expression? "No man could survive what I saw."

"And Johnson? Has he spoken to anyone yet?" she asked.

"Johnson may never speak again. It's doubtful he'll recover his senses."

"Dear heavens." She sat in a protracted silence, her fingers convulsively ripping at the grass.

He gazed down on her with a feeling of puzzlement. "Are you all right, Diana?"

"What?" she answered blankly. "Yes, thank you. I'll be fine in a moment or two. It's just such a terrible shock."

He took her hand. She looked into his face. "What now?"

"Now, I think it only appropriate to call an end to the festivities."

***

The party broke up almost immediately upon Diana and DeVere's return. The only guests remaining were either directly involved in the questioning, or were those who lingered simply out of morbid fascination. Ludovic noted the Duchess of Beauclerc among the latter group.

"What are you still doing here, Caroline?" he demanded. "I thought you would have left with March."

"But what would I possibly want with him when I have you?" she purred.

DeVere stifled a curse. "This matter has passed well beyond tedious, Caroline. Although it was never my intention to humiliate you, you appear to be doing an excellent job on your own. It's finished between us. I don't know how to make myself any clearer."

"But there you are wrong, my love. It's only over if and when I say it's over. And I have not finished with you. Indeed, I think I should like to be your wife, Ludovic."

"Do you now? I never before thought you dull-witted. How do you propose to become my wife when I have no wish to wed you or anyone else?"

She chuckled low and long. "But darling, you only need proper motivation."

"Motivation? There is nothing on earth that would move me to join my name with yours."

"No? How about to avoid the scaffold? Many men have been moved to far worse fates to save their skins."

He seized her silk and lace-clad arm. "What the devil are you talking about?"

She raised her chin defiantly. "I speak of the murder of the Baron Palmerston-Wriothesley, of course."

"That's a ridiculous and groundless speculation," he snarled. "Were you a man, I would call you out on the spot."

"Groundless? Oh I think not! For who stood to gain more by the Baron's death than you? Unless it's the poor, grieving widow who is now left penniless? But what if the two of you had confederated? What a wicked, wicked notion that is!" she cackled.

"You really think I would resort to killing a man to get what I want?"

"I think you are capable of almost anything. After all, darling, I know the underhanded means by which you came into your title, putting it about that your father is dead when we both know you have him locked away."

"There were extenuating circumstances that you know nothing about!"

"Does Hewett know that his father yet lives?" she asked.

His grip on her arm convulsively tightened. "Leave Hew out of this."

"Whatever you say, my love," she answered sweetly. "My point was only that I know you to be coldblooded and ruthless when it suits your purpose. And you are the one who holds the deed to Lord Reggie's lands, the deed you would have had to sacrifice had he won the race. Moreover, you and the baroness are guilty of adultery. Don't deny it, Ludovic. I know that he intended to file suit against you for it."

"And you think I killed him? Your insinuation is crass and baseless."

"Is it? Lord Reggie had already obtained signed affidavits from the servants. I have copies in my possession. Sad, isn't it, how difficult it is to buy loyalty these days?"

"You think a court of law would uphold a servant's word against mine?"