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“You were around us all the time because of his impending title?”
“A title that I deserved.”
“But Richard was the Viscount’s son, not you.”
“He didn’t deserve it!” Hayward snapped. “My father was the younger son, and my grandfather favoured him. But due to the tradition of the eldest son getting the title, it went to my uncle. Father was really bitter about it. He made me promise that I would get the title no matter what, and to make sure I was next in line. Our side of the family deserved the Viscountcy more than my uncle and his brat of a son.”
Rafe felt like he was in the company of a madman. He hadn’t been keen on Hayward’s company as he liked to have a sour mood quite a bit, and he did try to stir things up—much like he had that morning—but he had tolerated him for Richard’s sake. His friend had really cared about his cousin.
“So, you murdered Richard because he was going to inherit something you couldn’t have?”
“I had been planning to get rid of him for a while. But then I heard about you two courting the same woman, and I knew how both of you felt about her.” Hayward sniggered.
“You pretty much set yourselves up. I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity. So when we went hunting, I followed you when we were away from everyone else and knocked you out. Then I shot Richard, taking blood from him and smearing it on you. Then I switched rifles and pretended to come upon the body. I must say, I was impressed with my performance. Father would have been proud of it.”
Rafe felt like he was in one of his nightmares again. Surely, this couldn’t be happening. The more Hayward talked, the more he sounded like a maniac. He swallowed back the panic that was still rising.
“And when I was accused of the murder due to my state and our previous fight, you were firmly of the opinion that I had done it.”
“I had to be sure that you were convicted and hanged for it. Getting rid of my bothersome cousin and his annoying friend in one go would have been perfect.”
“Instead, I got sent away to America.”
“That was frustrating as I wanted to see you swing at the end of a rope but knowing that you would never be able to come back was enough for me. Then I could wait for my uncle to pass away, marry Victoria, and then things would be perfect.”
Marry Victoria. Rafe felt nauseous at that.
“She’s your cousin. Why would you want to marry her?”
“It’s not against the law.”
“People still raise eyebrows at it.”
Hayward shrugged.
“We could overcome it. I’ve always loved Victoria. I’ve asked her to marry me before, but she turned me down. I was hoping to wear her down enough that she would want to marry me. As she had never come out and found any potential suitors, her options were dwindling. I made myself pretty much the only option.”
His expression darkened. “And then your father and my uncle talked. They made a deal, and you came back. I knew it was only a matter of time before you started poking your nose in and finding out what had really happened. I wasn’t going to take the chance.”
“So, you set out to try to get rid of me.” Rafe swallowed. “You had Lieutenant Millinchip shot when you heard he was going to tell me what he knew of the day, and you sabotaged my horse so I could be killed in a riding accident.”
“I was getting desperate putting a caltrop in the saddle, but I thought it would work. As for Millinchip….” Hayward shrugged. “Asante did his job. His sister had worked for my father, and she was always talking about how good her brother was in the army, how much of an excellent marksman he was. It didn’t take much to get in contact with him with an offer for a lot of money if he shot someone.”
“And he never figured out it was you?”
“He had never met me, and I made sure I didn’t contact him through his sister, who would have said something. I covered my tracks.”
“And you’ve been hovering around the area, waiting for another opportunity.”
“I heard that Millinchip was dead, and I wanted to be sure that you didn’t question anyone else who had been present that day. So, I thought I could lure you out here and kill you, make it look like Asante had done it as well.”
Rafe shook his head.
“That’s not going to work if Asante is already in custody.”
“I still don’t believe you on that.”
“Nor will it work when Lieutenant Millinchip tells the magistrate about that day.”
