The Daring Miss Darcy (Lost Ladies of London #4)(70)

“Then allow me to shed a little light on the situation.” Lady Cornell moved closer to her husband. “You see, I was always supposed to marry Lord Trevane. My mother dedicated ten years of her life to make sure it happened. But as you know, when she died I had no option but to marry a blubbery mammal stupid enough to put Colonel Preston’s odd creatures to shame.”

“Now listen here,” Lord Cornell protested. “I’ve given you everything. You want for nothing.”

“Other than a virile man in bed,” Lady Cornell countered. “And everyone knows Vane is the epitome of sexual prowess.”

Estelle could not argue with that.

Lord Cornell looked astounded. “Marriage is about more than a quick romp beneath the sheets.”

Ross cleared his throat. “I think you’ll find the word quick may have led to the problem.”

“Precisely,” Lady Cornell agreed. “And so, as Vane and I were meant to wed—”

“That may have been your mother’s plan,” Ross interjected, “but it was most certainly not mine. There is only one woman I hope to marry, and it is not you.” Ross snorted. “You can shoot me, and still I will not change my mind.”

Estelle slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. Was it a pistol Lady Cornell held in her hand?

“Oh, I have no intention of shooting you, Vane. And I’m certain when you’ve heard what I have to say you will change your mind about marrying me.”

Lady Cornell was suffering from some sort of mental imbalance. Either that or her arrogance knew no bounds.

Without warning, the lady raised her hand, pulled the trigger and shot Lord Cornell. The sharp crack echoed through the room, shaking the glass doors in the display cases.

“Good God!” Ross cried as the lead ball ripped into Cornell’s chest, taking the man clean off his feet. “Have you lost your mind?”

Lord Cornell grabbed the cloth on the table and dragged it with him as he landed with a thud on the tiled floor.

“Lost my mind!” Lady Cornell screeched. “Do you know what it has been like for me? Watching you cavort with other women, hearing their lewd tales. Having to go home to that monstrosity.” She waved the pistol at the man groaning and writhing on the floor.

“If we don’t help him, he will die.” Ross knelt down over Lord Cornell’s body.

Estelle took the opportunity to creep closer. At any moment, Wickett and Mr Joseph would appear. What if the lady had a knife and stabbed Ross amid the confusion?

“That is my intention. When he’s dead, we will be free to marry.”

“You’re deluded if you think there is any chance of that happening.” Ross shrugged out of his coat, rolled it into a ball and placed it under Cornell’s head.

“We are in this together now. If caught, we’ll both hang.”

“I highly doubt it.” Ross sounded so confident. “Enough people know of your obsession, of your silly notes, and I have the letter inviting me here.”

Lady Cornell snorted. “You think I don’t know who she is. My mother described her to me many times. You gave it away when you called her Estelle. Such an unusual name. It certainly explains why you’re so besotted with a shopgirl.”

Ross glared at Lady Cornell, his eyes dark, dangerous. “Be careful. Be very careful.”

Lady Cornell shrugged. “Once the world knows Miss Darcy survived the shipwreck and is so free with her affections that she whores about in coaching inns, she will be shunned. Imagine the humiliation. Imagine the torment. Imagine how people will treat your children.”

Estelle’s stomach grew hot, so hot it burned as bile bubbled and rose to her chest. She was set to burst, to hail fire and brimstone down upon this pathetic creature.

But Ross shook his head and laughed.

“Do your worst. You may be governed by society’s rules, but I am not. And I can assure you, neither is Miss Darcy.”

Lady Cornell fell silent for a moment. “She doesn’t love you. If she did why has she only recently returned to town?”

“That is no business of yours.” Ross turned back to look at Lord Cornell. He pressed his fingers against the man’s wrist. “It’s not too late to call for help. I’m sure you can think of something to account for firing the shot.”

Without warning, she threw the pistol on the floor, darted forward and grabbed a sharp implement off the table. She jabbed it at Ross. “Step away from him. I’ll not suffer his presence another minute.”

Estelle slid her hand into her boot and drew the hunting knife that she had found beneath Ross’ pillow. She moved closer.

“How do you hope to account for his death?” Ross said. “You’ll not get far before you’re apprehended. Have you ever heard someone’s neck crack when they fall from the gallows?”

“Oh, that pistol isn’t mine,” she said with an air of arrogance. “I think you’ll find that the initials engraved on the plate are yours. Indeed, your coachman should know better than to leave your carriage unattended. I managed to sneak back and take it while you were busy with your whore.”

Ross jumped to his feet. “My God, if you were a man I’d break every bone in your blasted body.”

“I’m simply showing you that I am just as strong as you. Together, we would make an invincible pair. You’ve no choice but to work with me now.”