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Andrew told his solicitor about his plan and asked him to stall the magistrate as best he could while Andrew left for London for a few days. While there, he would see Tabitha and speak with Thorne and Darnley. He had gone to Darnley first when he’d discovered that Phillip Crestwood and the other men had returned from abroad.
The men had met at Sir Darnley’s and reviewed all the facts gathered thus far regarding both Lord Vance and recent accusations against Andrew. After discussing everything, they knew they had to make Tabitha aware of the recent developments.
Since Phillip and Andrew had to keep away from prying eyes, they’d devised the plan for her to come to Andrew’s house under the guise of an invitation from his grandmother.
Now, the loving reunion he’d waited for with Tabitha had been interrupted by her brother. Judging by Tabitha’s pursed lips and icy stare, she didn’t seem pleased either.
“Now, Tabby, don’t give me that look or I’ll run and tell mother what you have been up too.”
Andrew heard the teasing in Phillip’s voice and tried to hide his smile. Luckily, Tabitha didn’t notice since her attention was on her brother.
She met Phillip’s stare, hands on her hips. “I’ll be the least of her worries when I tell her what danger you and your friends have been in. Galloping around the continent like some heroes.”
“Touché,” he said with a chuckle.
The banter between siblings seemed to ease the tension from the room. Andrew noticed Tabitha was visibly more relaxed.
“Now,” she said to no one in particular, “would someone please tell me what is going on?”
“I’ll start,” Phillip said, motioning for her to take a seat. The rest of the gentlemen took residence up around the room. “The day after we spoke, Sir Darnley came to the safe house after receiving our message. We caught him up with the situation, and Sir Darnley, who has always had a nose for these things, thought it was suspicious that after your encounter with Lord Vance, which was interrupted by Andrew, there have been several incidents. When the former duchess confronted Andrew in public, again making the accusation that he had a hand in the late duke’s death, and with the recent attack on you—”
“Attack! What attack?” Andrew sprang from his seat.
Tabitha grabbed his arm, pulling him back down to the chair. “It’s all right, Andrew, nothing happened. Phillip and the others saved me. Phillip, please continue.”
Andrew took deep breaths, trying to squelch the fury boiling. His muscles tensed under his shirt at the thought that someone had attempted—again—to harm Tabitha. He should have been here to protect her. After tonight, he would not let Tabitha out of his sight if he could help it.
“Thank you, Tabby. Anyway, as I was saying, these things happened in a short period of time,” Philip continued. “Coincidence or not?”
“And knowing the extent of Lord Vance’s network and his insatiable need for revenge on his enemies, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had something to do with both this new investigation with the late duke's death and the attempted assault on Miss Crestwood the other night,” Sir Darnley finished.
“You think Lord Vance orchestrated the magistrate getting the letter and finding the evidence at Andrew's estate?” Tabitha asked.
Sir Darnley nodded. “I have dealt with him in the past. He associates with many unsavory characters, plus he has the money to pay off the magistrate.”
“That means he may know where Herr is. No one else was at the estate besides the staff, and we have questioned them numerous times and all appear innocent,” Andrew added.
If Lord Vance was involved and knew where Herr was, then they would have to redouble their efforts, for he would surely be hidden away in a secure location.
But Herr had nothing to gain by William’s death. He’d had a good job and, from what Andrew had discovered, had taken money from the estate on the side. Herr must have realized Andrew would find the missing money eventually, so what was his motive?
Suddenly, Tabitha took a loud, sharp inhale. “Miranda.”
The room quieted when she said that one name.
Andrew wrinkled his brow. “What do you mean, darling?”
“Don't you see? Why would Herr poison your brother? If not for his own gain, then for someone else’s.”
Andrew shook his head, not quite understanding. “I don’t know who you mean. I was the next in line for the title.”
“No, you weren’t. Miranda’s unborn child was the next in line, if it was a boy.”
It took a second for the entire scenario to sink in. Andrew drew his lips into a thin line and closed his eyes in disbelief.
“I can’t believe Miranda could have a hand in murdering my brother. What reason would she have?”
“It’s simple if you think about it, really.”
