A Perfect Gentleman(44)

“I need the money and this land is rich with ore.”

“How could killing Miss Cooper benefit you?” Matthew asked.

“If she were dead, then Stillwaite would inherit it all, when Mr. Cooper died.”

“Are there further plans for his demise?” John asked.

“No, and I had nothing to do with him being pushed down the stairs.” He turned his head, looking at each of them. “I swear, I knew nothing about that.”

Of course he didn’t since no one had pushed Mr. Cooper but Matthew wasn’t about to share that bit of knowledge.

“What promises did he make you? Was he paying you to kill her?”

“Once he inherited, I would mine for the ore and we would split the profits.”

“Do you have a written agreement?” Jordan asked.

“No, he said we shouldn’t have anything in writing so neither of us was carted off to Newgate.”

“Which is where you will be going,” Jordan reminded him.

The man paled and sank back into the bed.

“When suffocating her with a pillow didn’t work, you thought to shoot her instead,” Jordan prompted.”

The man began shaking his head and started to sit. “That wasn’t me. That was Richards and he wasn’t supposed to suffocate her.”

“What do you mean?” Matthew demanded.

“He was supposed to kidnap her and take her off to Scotland. Once married the deal was set and Stillwaite would just sit back and wait for the money.”

“Then why try to kill her?” Matthew turned to find Brachton standing in the door. He was glad the man hadn’t arrived earlier given Jon would have undoubtedly tortured Draker further if need be.

“He didn’t want a wife and decided it would be more expedient if she were dead. Given her father’s state, Mr. Cooper would probably decline and die as well, leaving everything to us.”

Brachton stepped out into the hall and spoke to someone. He returned a moment later. “I sent two of my servants after Richards to bring him here.”

“Stillwaite was in a rage when he found out the guardianship had been denied him and decided that Richards had it right and to just do away with his niece.”

“And you went along with this outrageous plan?” Brachton demanded.

“You have no idea how far in debt I am. If I weren’t going to Newgate I would be in debtor’s prison. What difference does it make,” the man spit out.

“I am assuming Thorn will now make an attempt since both you and Richards have been unsuccessful?” Matthew asked. He would need someone to keep watch on Grace around the clock, and her father as well. If Stillwaite was becoming unhinged neither one of them was safe.

“No,” Draker answered. “Thorn didn’t want anything to do with this madness. It was one thing when the three of us made a pact to marry Miss Cooper and mine the land. He would have nothing to do with harming anyone. As soon as we left the day after Mr. Cooper was pushed down the stairs he broke the agreement and left town. He didn’t want to be around and risk being accused of murder.”

“It was so kind of him to warn us first,” Jordan offered dryly.

Draker jerked and looked up at Jordan. “He did?”

His brother chuckled. “You are an imbecile, aren’t you?”

Matthew pulled away from the bed. They knew everything they needed. John tied both of Draker’s hands to the bed so he couldn’t go anywhere and they left Dr. Norton to tend the man’s leg. It could fester for all Matthew cared. The man had tried to kill Grace and he was finding it difficult to have any pity for him.

The gentlemen gathered in the parlor where Perkins waited. He poured them each a glass of brandy as they took seats. Grace entered a moment later. Instead of brandy, Perkins splashed a spot of whiskey in her glass much to Matthew’s surprise. What else was there to learn about his future wife? Elizabeth asked for wine and sat next to her husband.

Brachton remained in the hall and spoke with a few more of his servants. Matthew could only assume that they were being sent after Stillwaite. The man would not come here easily. Lord Crew arrived a moment later.

“Grace was shot?”

“I am fine,” she assured him from her place by the fire.

Matthew quickly explained what they had learned. “It is best that you are married immediately. I’ve already written to the Bishop and I should hear back in a few days.

“If you need a special license, I am sure grandfather has a stack of them still waiting to be used,” Elizabeth laughed.

“Yes, he was very adamant last winter about marrying off his grandchildren.”

“I am sure they aren’t blank otherwise I would ask for one,” Matthew grumbled. Now that he made up his mind and knew this was what he wanted, he couldn’t wait to marry Grace. Not only did he want her in his life forever, and in his bed, but marriage was the only thing that would protect her from Stillwaite.

“Regardless, I am not sure it is safe to wait. The two of you should head to Scotland,” Lord Crew suggested.

“I will not leave my father,” Grace insisted.

“We should wait until Brachton’s servants return with word of Stillwaite. If we can apprehend the man, then there is no need to rush,” Matthew offered though it was in exact opposite of what he wanted to do.

Grace glanced over at him and bit her bottom lip. Matthew leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Perhaps I should amend my statement. I don’t wish to rush our wedding.”

She smiled and he lowered his voice further, “night.”

Jordan stood. “I am going to find Stillwaite myself.”





Brachton’s men returned shortly before dinner with word that Richards was gone, along with his clothing and any other personal items. According to a maid, he left the day before after leaving instructions to close up the house for good. He would not be back and Grace didn’t really care where he was, only that it was unlikely he would try to harm her again.

Mr. Trent returned a few moments later. He could not find Stillwaite, but his things were still in his room at the inn. Nobody had seen him in hours and a feeling of foreboding settled into the pit of her stomach. “I did go through his belongings, however,” Mr. Trent offered. “The man is so far in debt I am not sure it is possible to recover.”

“He wanted the land for the ore,” Matthew reminded him.

“Yes, but that could take years. I don’t know how he thinks this will solve his problems.”

“With the promise of riches in the future perhaps he hoped to keep the creditors at bay,” Lord Crew suggested.

“It also makes him all the more dangerous,” said Matthew.

Mr. Trent moved toward the foyer. “I’ll return to the inn and remain there. Maybe he will be back.”

Matthew nodded.

“Well, there is no need for me to remain here. I’ll be at home if anyone needs me.” Lord Crew stood and left.

“I will, as well.” Brachton picked up his hat. “Send word if you find Stillwaite.”

“I am taking Draker to Brachton’s where he will be secured and held for trial,” John moved toward the door.

“Can he even travel,” Grace found herself asking.

“I don’t really care,” Matthew answered. “I don’t want him near you.”

“I’ve already instructed my servants to put him in the back of the carriage,” Brachton informed them. “He will remain secured in my home until he can be brought to trial.”

It seemed as though her parlor had been filled with people all day, now only she, Matthew and John remained. Perkins had long ago returned to her father’s bedside. Elizabeth entered a few moments later. “I’ve placed super on the table.”

Silently they followed her. Grace wasn’t even sure she had an appetite left. Her arm ached and all she really wanted to do was crawl into bed, but not alone. She wanted to be held by Matthew. Would he remain with her tonight? After these last few days she wasn’t certain she wanted to be alone in her room tonight.

There was not much conversation around the table and Grace assumed everyone must be as exhausted as she.

“Would you like something for your arm,” Elizabeth asked.

“No thank you. All I need is to sleep.”

“I am going to stay downstairs.” John pushed back from the table.

“I am taking the room at the top of the stairs and my door will be open,” Elizabeth announced and began clearing the table. John helped her stack the dishes. Grace knew she should assist but she couldn’t bring herself to move.

“I’ll escort you upstairs.” Matthew rose to stand by her chair. She allowed him to assist and guide her from the room. Why was she so numb? Or was she simply tired?

His hand settled at the small of her back and Grace couldn’t help but lean into him as they took the stairs to the upper level of her home. This is where she belonged, by his side.

They paused outside her door and Matthew leaned and kissed her forehead. “Call if you need me. I will be right across the hall.”

“I will.” Grace turned and entered her room, closing the door behind her. There was chill in the air and she bent to stir the embers before adding logs. She went through her evening ritual and readied herself for bed. The sheets were cool, but they would warm from her body shortly. She often was cold at first, but her bed never seemed so empty before.