Her eyes met his. “Good, because I amveryupset,” she said with an edge of defiance. Then, softer, she added, “I’m glad you’re here, Niles.”
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he leaned slightly closer. “We’ll figure this out,” he promised. “Together.”
Bedford stepped into the drawing room and cleared his throat. Loudly. “I think you’ve tended to Lady Elsbeth long enough, Lord Westcott.”
If Bedford thought he could intimidate Niles into leaving, he was gravely mistaken. Niles had no intention of leaving Elsbeth’s side until he was absolutely certain she was safe.
Before he could respond, Lady Isabella swept into the room. She rushed to Elsbeth’s side and knelt beside her on the settee. “Elsbeth!” she exclaimed. “I just heard about the terrible accident.”
Niles raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze flicking to Bedford.
Accident?
Bedford caught his questioning look and gave a subtle shake of his head, silently urging Niles to hold his tongue. The implication was clear: he didn’t want Lady Isabella to know that someone had deliberately tried to harm Elsbeth.
Lady Isabella gently wiped the dust from her daughter’s cheek. “You poor thing. You should take a warm bath and rest immediately.”
“That would be nice,” Elsbeth murmured.
Now confident that Elsbeth was in capable hands, Niles rose to his feet and strode over to Bedford. He leaned closer, keeping his voice low. “Accident?”
Bedford shrugged. “I didn’t think we should alarm my aunt unnecessarily.”
“And what happens when the constable arrives?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Bedford replied. “For now, we need to keep a close eye on Elsbeth.”
“We?”
Bedford gestured towards the entry hall. “Let’s talk privately.”
Niles reluctantly followed him, spinning on his heel once they were alone. He folded his arms and fixed Bedford with an expectant look. “Well?”
Bedford’s expression turned solemn. “I think I know who tried to kill Elsbeth.” He paused. “Alfred.”
Niles furrowed his brow. “Why do you suspect him?”
“I didn’t want to take Elsbeth to my estate just because of her obsession with Alfred’s secrets,” Bedford admitted. “I wanted to keep her away from him.”
“And why would Alfred want her dead?” Niles pressed.
“Because she’s asking too many questions,” Bedford replied. “Alfred has been investigating my uncle’s death.”
Niles’s gaze sharpened. “You mean the late Lord Bedford?”
Bedford nodded grimly. “Yes. I suspect my uncle was murdered.”
Niles exhaled slowly, the weight of the revelation settling over him. “Murdered by Alfred?”
“I don’t know,” Bedford admitted. “But I do know Alfred paid for the coroner’s silence. Why else would he do that?”
“None of this explains why I should trust you,” Niles said.
“Whether you trust me or not, we have the same goal—protecting Elsbeth.”
Before Niles could respond, Lady Isabella appeared in the doorway. “Lord Westcott, Elsbeth has asked to see you.”
Niles nodded and took a step towards the drawing room, only for Bedford to place a hand on his sleeve, halting him.
