The Rakehell Regency(47)
"The eldest three Cavendish boys are wild, there is no doubt about it. It would not surprise me in the least about Edmund."
"Gerald's reputation as a lusty country squire has only grown over the years. He shows no signs of settling down at all. What on earth were Vanessa's solicitors thinking to allow her to come back to that house?"
Dr. Gold shrugged. "She is no longer a defenseless child. And her aunt Stephens is nearby."
"She may not be a child, but she is a woman, and as such should be protected appropriately. Though she is clever and brave, she's certainly no match for Gerald. I cannot think it's a coincidence that she shows symptoms of poisoning.
"But she has a great deal of family loyalty, and will never denounce Gerald. It would make her own position here completely untenable, and disgrace the Stephens into the bargain. Her aunt is a silly woman, apt to all sorts of crochets. But she has enough cunning to know it would be a good match for one of her lads to marry their cousin."
"Not that they are any great prizes," John Gold said with a shake of his gray head. "Well, the eldest two anyway. Peter is ambitious, grasping. Has ice water in his veins. Toby is a roué, apt to chase anything in skirts."
Clifford nodded. "Aye. Sad but true. Neither of them lifted a finger to stop Gerald last night. I was in the room the whole time, and saw everything. They were more than happy to wager for her, and very stunned that they did not succeed. If her solicitors expected protection and guidance for Vanessa from her paternal aunt and cousins, they will be sadly disappointed. Only Paul is worth a damn, and he is so unworldly, and so far away, he is almost entirely of no use."
"It's a damnable shame," the doctor said with a sigh.
"So there we have it," Clifford declared, thumping one fist on his knee as though he were a judge banging his gavel. "Gerald gambled her. The Stephenses want her money. She has not seen them for nearly five years, and has no idea just how reprehensible they are. Add to that the fact that Gerald has done his utmost to turn her against me, and this is a fine muddle we're all in."
"Well, Clifford, given the fact that she nearly died in that house, I have to agree with you that it does look like Gerald, rather than a bad oyster, may well be responsible for her present state." The doctor rose to pour them some sherry.
"Henry or Malcolm might have more information pertaining to this matter, but for the moment, let us assume that to be the case."
"All right." He handed Clifford a glass, and resumed his seat.
"Therefore I want to keep her here as long as I can until she is well. Then we need to think about her safety, and her reputation. And I will do whatever I can to help. Look for clues, evidence, if need be."
"You can all stay as long as you wish, or need to."
"Thank you, John, You don't know what it means to me to know that I'm not alone in all this. The trouble is, we're running out of time, aren't we. I'm still willing to go through with the marriage, but short of dragging her up the aisle kicking and screaming, I'm not sure what I can do to get her to agree."
"Perhaps tell her our suspicions?" Dr. Gold suggested.
Clifford shook his head. "She will only deny it, and argue on behalf of her family."
"There must be some proof. As I said, I'll do what we can."
"We suspect him of other crimes in the past, don't we."
"Aye?"
"Then I have to say here and now that Gerald would not have got away with killing people by being careless."
"That may be true, but he does not have a father protecting him any longer either."
At Clifford's surprised look, the doctor nodded. "Think about it. It's the only thing that makes sense given all you've told me," he argued perceptively.
"The mother died unnaturally, his stepmother as well. Gerald is the type of person who is prone to excess. He would have also had no qualms about torturing his little sister, if we are to take Vanessa's words about dreading the house, and her horrendous nightmares into account."
"One could suspect the father of the two murders of his wives, could they not?" Clifford said, willing to play Devil's advocate as John had done with him.
"Yes," the doctor agreed, "were it not for the fact that he himself died unnaturally. Gerald's continued use of violence, as for instance in London, and the bizarre attacks on local women and livestock, would also support this theory."
Clifford looked as worried as he felt. He rose from his chair to poke the fire, deeling chilled to the bone.