“I suppose that could make sense. The Newbridges would have been well known to your late wife’s family, the Hoods. Their lands bordered each other. Eliza’s father always prattled on about making the best marriage possible for his daughter. Newbridge would not have made the cut. They had the land, but from what I hear, they didn’t have the blunt. Lady Winchester was eager to elevate Eliza’s status in society by aligning their family with yours,” Michael conceded.
“My first wife was very close with her parents,” Perry agreed. “While we were married, Eliza often escaped to visit them at their estate.”
“Perhaps it would be worth a visit to Eliza’s mother, the dowager countess,” Beau suggested.
A heaviness gathered in his stomach. Perry hadn’t kept in touch with his wife’s family. The years of his unhappy marriage had created a gulf of bitterness between them. The Hoods believed him partially responsible for their daughter’s death, as though hecould have prevented it somehow, or cared for her better. Eliza’s father passed away soon after his daughter from a fever. Perry had allowed Eliza’s mother to reside in the home of her choosing to live out her life, having no desire to cast out the woman on the streets. Lady Hood resided on the country estate where her daughter had been buried, allowing them to remain close. Having no emotional connection to the property, Perry was glad to give the dowager countess something to comfort her in her mourning.
“Right then, what do we do next? Shall we approach the viscount?” Beau asked, swirling his crystal glass of port.
A waiter arrived, his white-gloved hand placing a similar glass before Perry. With a nod of gratitude, Perry took a long drink.
“I may have some contacts who could provide information. Some people I work with closely. Allow me to question them whether any such information has circulated. It has been many years since you married now, so it is unlikely,” Michael asked, his mouth tight and his expression serious. “There is also the matter of the missing steward; he could be behind all this as well. My man has not reported back on that yet. We must leave no stone unturned.”
His brows raised, Perry wondered who exactly Michael was involved with, besides being a viscount himself. “Then I shall confront Newbridge?” The idea of waiting to stop the man who was hunting him like an animal goaded him. It was an impossible challenge.
It could also be deadly.
Beauregard brought his closed fist to his mouth as he considered. “I’m convinced there is more to this. Newbridge is hardly a worthy opponent. What motive could he possibly have to want you dead? The man is an innocuous enough fellow. I will search in my records for any debts or unsettled accounts that Father may have left behind. Perhaps there is someone who would have a grudge against the family in there.”
Inhaling the warm, rich scent of his liquor, Perry closed hiseyes and leaned back into the leather chair. A weight was lifted from his shoulders as his brother broke through his fog of rage. The idea was truly preposterous. He would investigate every possible avenue that was presented to him, but the idea that Viscount Newbridge would have a score to settle with him after this long was truly ridiculous. Especially now that Eliza had been dead for a little over a year. Doubt eroded his confidence and presented Perry with a new challenge.
If not Thomas, then who?
Chapter Forty-Nine
His patience wearing thin, Perry stared out the drawing-room window, his hands clutched at his back. He couldn’t bring himself to focus on the household accounts when suspicion gnawed at him relentlessly.
“My lord, a message has arrived from the Viscount Witney,” Bentley announced as he entered the drawing room holding a silver tray in his hand.
A few days had passed since Perry had uncovered the possible threat coming from Newbridge and he was eager to act. Walking through the halls of his home, he was startled by each sound. Perry was reluctant to be away from his wife and was extremely attentive to his daughter, at least until the nurse shooed him away for her lessons or meals or whatever important duties the daughter of an earl possessed that did not involve her father.
Striding rapidly toward the servant, Perry plucked the paper from the tray, nodding to the butler before he turned toward the fireplace. He was torn between wanting an answer and wanting to be shown that his suspicions were ridiculous. The scandal it would create if he charged the viscount with an offense would cause a shockwave throughout theton. Frankly, Perry dreaded attachingyet another scandal to his family name. There were too many to count as it was.
The red wax cracked as he lifted it from the enclosure, and the creased paper unfolded to reveal a brief message.
The Whispers have confirmed your suspicions.
The attackers from the night of the ball were hired by none other than the Viscount Thomas Newbridge. He was seen speaking to the men by a witness whose identity I must protect.
Apologies for laughing at you. My mistake.
I have posted one of my men to watch the viscount and track his movements. We will confront him as soon as you are available.
M.
As soon as he was available? He could be ready immediately. Tucking the note in his pocket, he turned to watch his wife, who was practicing a duet with Aurelia. His daughter was becoming adept at playing the pianoforte. The way mother and daughter worked together to learn a new song both warmed his heart and spurred him on to put this situation to an end. He tugged on his daughter’s beribboned ringlet, winning himself a warm smile from the little sprite. Though he anticipated no danger from a meeting of gentlemen during the day with Michael’s men watching him, there was always a chance of violence. He must arm himself, preparing for the worst. Perry had much to lose if Newbridge made another attempt on his life and succeeded.
Memorizing the way Charlotte and Aurelia looked in thismoment, Perry called to Bentley for his cloak and hoped against hope the Viscount Newbridge would be at home. They had much to discuss. Not wanting to distress his wife until he had some useful information, Perry kept his destination to himself and told her he was off to meet his brother at the club. Charlotte had been through enough already. Men were posted to protect them, that Perry felt secure in leaving Wildwood.
Knowing he would arrive at Michael’s home before a messenger, he had his carriage brought around and prepared to make the journey to his friend’s home. To his surprise, Michael and Beau were both standing in Viscount Witney’s office when he arrived at the opulent townhome in trendy Mayfair.
“You were both going to wait until I arrived?” he asked.
Crossing his arms with a chuckle, his brother raised a brow. “We had a good feeling you wouldn’t waste any time. We must call upon the viscount immediately. It’s too early for him to have left the house already. We want to use the element of surprise in our favor.”
“I will confront him and meet you at the club after,” Perry said, giving a stern nod and turning toward the door. Michael and Beau protested, their words clashing against each other.
“You mustn’t go alone,” his brother argued.
