Deepest Desires of a Wicked Duke(36)
“So likely his heart,” said Saxonby. “Or a blood vessel bursting in his head.”
“So it wasn’t not my fault?”
“Not your fault,” Sinclair said gently.
“That is what I conjectured,” snapped the old marquis. “I don’t see why we’re wasting all this time. The lad is dead.”
“But what do we do with poor Sandhurst, Your Grace?” asked the Elegant Incognita.
Sinclair exchanged glances with his friend, Saxonby. “I think we should take him upstairs. Wait for the boat to arrive tomorrow, then take him back to the mainland. What do you think, Humphries?”
“Your suggestion is most excellent, Your Grace. A most intelligent solution.”
“Are there other footmen to help?”
The butler shook his head. “There is only one footman, myself, a maid, and the cook in the house.”
“No other servants?”
“No, Your Grace.”
“Strange.” Sinclair frowned. “Genvere expects four servants to tend a houseful of guests.”
“We are extremely capable, Your Grace. In fact, I believe the four of us can move the unfortunately deceased Viscount Sandhurst.”
“Probably you could. But Saxonby and I will carry him.”
Willoughby stepped forward. “I offer my services.”
“Fine. You take one leg, with Sax. I’ll get his shoulders.”
They took their positions, crouched, then lifted poor young Sandhurst. Willoughby puffed as he helped carry one leg. Saxonby looked barely encumbered, but what amazed Portia was Sinclair. He carried the young lad as if he were weightless. They moved Sandhurst to the stairs and Portia felt tears on her cheeks. Sandhurst had been like a naughty boy, but he was young and handsome and he hadn’t meant any harm. This seemed a tragedy.
She stared blankly at the place Sandhurst had laid. Something incongruous caught her eye. A dash of pink on the carpet. Portia bent and picked it up, the satin of it sliding smoothly over her fingers.
A small piece of ribbon. Probably torn from Sadie’s dress.
Portia frowned. But Sadie’s dress was scarlet. This pink would clash garishly. Perhaps it came from Sadie’s undergarments—
“Madam ?”
She whirled around.
The butler hovered behind her, salver balanced on thumb and fingers. “I do not know who to ask, madam . . . should I summon the guests into the drawing room for coffee or a restorative brandy?”
She looked around at the remaining guests, who looked pale and shaken. “That is an excellent idea. They will all need something to take their mind off the shock.”
The butler looked around. “When Their Graces return, there is something I must tell them.”
“What is it?”
“No, madam, I could not trouble you with this. It is something I was given and I am concerned about it. Gravely concerned.”
“If you would tell me what it is, no doubt I could help lift some of this concern with helpful advice.” She almost pointed out that she was quite used to managing things but stopped herself just in time.
Humphries was perspiring. His face was an odd color—pale but mildly green. She did not like the look of him.
Firmly, she led him to a seat and told him to sit.
“Madam, this is quite improper.”
“I don’t care. You look very ill. And unless you tell me what the problem is, I shall help by keeping you in this chair.”
He looked around, but no else was paying any attention. The remaining guests were engaged in conversation, speculating on what had happened. He sighed. “All right, madam. It is this. I wished an opinion from one of the gentlemen, as Lord Genvere is not here. I was given this to read after dinner. I looked at it several minutes ago. I found it shocking.”
“Is it rude?”
He jerked. “Rude? It seems in bad taste. And it is odd. And also—I don’t know how Lord Genvere could have known what was to happen tonight—”
“Can I see this note?”
Humphries hesitated. But she had learned how to have children obey her. She behaved the same with the nervous butler and he handed her the note.
She read: He has paid for his sins.
“Who has paid for his sins?”
“I thought perhaps Lord Sandhurst was indicated. But now, of course, I see I leapt to a conclusion. It could mean anyone.”
“It could. But if it does mean Sandhurst, you are correct: How could Lord Genvere have known?” She looked around, uneasy. Heart thumping. “Could Lord Genvere be here, and we simply don’t know it?”
“There are no other buildings on the island, madam. And I was given the letter in the packet I received when I arrived on Serenity Island. That was four days ago.”