A gentle breeze drifted in from the open window, bringing the sound of Bennett’s voice along with it. “I would think that two earls’ words would carry even more weight.”
“Yes, it would,” Miles agreed before addressing Mr. Stanley once more. “And if you move to throw that book in the fire, I will not hesitate to shoot you.”
Mr. Stanley gave him an amused look. “You will not shoot me.”
Miles’ gaze grew determined. “I most certainly will. You are a despicable man who deserves to pay for his heinous crimes.”
Bennett climbed in through the window and pointed a pistol at Mr. Stanley. “You heard my friend. Put your pistol down.”
With a dry chuckle, Mr. Stanley held his hands up. “This has all just been a misunderstanding,” he said.
Edwina huffed in disbelief from behind Miles. “A misunderstanding? You were going to shoot me!”
“My cousin is right. We heard and saw everything,” Bennett stated firmly. “You have taken advantage of our family’s generosity for far too long.”
“Is that what you think I am doing?” Mr. Stanley asked, his voice turning harsh and defensive. “No, my lord. I am simply taking my fair share. The only reason your family is so wealthy is because of me! I did this, not you. Not your father. Not even the late Lord Dallington.”
Bennett took a step forward, unwavering in his stance despite Mr. Stanley’s outburst. “Thatwasyour job, Mr. Stanley, but you are dismissed.”
Mr. Stanley’s face contorted with anger and he held the ledger up. “I will not give you the satisfaction of knowing the truth,” he seethed, making a move towards the hearth.
Just as Mr. Stanley was about to toss the ledger into the flames, a loud gunshot rang out and shattered the tense silence in the room.
Chapter Twenty
Miles held the smoking pistol in his hand as Mr. Stanley dropped the ledger and his weapon before reaching for his wounded shoulder.
“You shot me!” Mr. Stanley shouted, his voice laced with pain.
Miles lowered his pistol to his side. “You left me with little choice in the matter,” he said. “I could not let you burn the ledger.”
Coming out from behind Miles, Edwina hurried over and retrieved the ledger. “I will be sure to give this to my uncle.”
Mr. Stanley narrowed his eyes at her. “You ruined everything, you stupid chit.”
A pained look came to Edwina’s face as she met Mr. Stanley’s steely gaze. “I don’t know what happened to you. It is as if you are a different person now.”
Bennett stepped forward and picked up Mr. Stanley’s pistol. “That is what greed does to people.”
Mr. Stanley scoffed. “And what do you know of greed, my lord?” he mocked. “You have wanted for nothing your entire life. I have had to scrimp and save just to survive.”
As Bennett went to reply, the butler ran into the room withfour footmen behind him. His eyes roamed over the room in a panic until they landed on Mr. Stanley.
“We heard a gunshot,” the butler said, bringing his gaze to Bennett.
Bennett kept his pistol trained on Mr. Stanley. “Send for the constable and the doctor at once,” he ordered.
“Shall I retrieve Lord Dallington?” the butler asked.
“There is no need,” Bennett replied. “Let him enjoy the soiree. I do not want to give the impression that anything is amiss.” He lowered his pistol to the side. “Do you suppose any of the guests heard the pistol discharging?”
“It does not appear so, my lord,” the butler said. “I do believe the music muffled the noise enough so as not to raise any questions.”
Bennett nodded approvingly. “Good, now get him out of my sight.”
The butler tipped his head before turning to the footmen. “Take Mr. Stanley to the servants’ quarters and stand guard until the constable arrives.”
After Mr. Stanley was forcefully removed from the study, Miles turned to face Edwina, his mind whirling with the fact that he had saved her from a certain death. He had come so close to losing her, and he had never felt such panic before.
