"The only problem is the one I intend to create for your dear wife's stepfather. That man will die by my hand, Rhys, so prepare yourself for it."
Spence eyed him warily. “What prompted your sudden bloodlust?"
He wouldn't repeat it, Michael decided. It was not his story to tell. “Suffice to say, the more I learn of him, the more I realize that he is undeserving to draw breath."
Rhys didn't question Michael further. He would learn the truth from Emme later, but Spencer would have to remain ignorant. “If he does die by your hand, please do it discreetly."
Michael's only response was a curt nod.
Spencer cleared his throat and said, “Which section of the tunnels are we searching today?"
"The tunnels under the south wing to start. I want to find out how this bastard is coming and going."
They each took their lanterns and headed into the warren-like dungeons to continue their search.
Emme conducted her own search. She had begun in the gallery, at Larissa's suggestion. She didn't know what had prompted the suggestion, but when Larissa was certain of something there was usually a reason. When Larissa slept after the painful confessions that morning, she'd contemplated what to tell Rhys. Her fury, her need for some sort of retribution for Larissa was consuming. Stidham's contempt of her, the hurled insults she had suffered at his hands, were nothing in comparison to what he had done to her sister. She ached for her sister, for the cruelty that she had been forced to endure.
She pushed those thoughts aside and forced herself to focus as she stepped into the gallery. She strolled along, examining each portrait with care. It was when she reached the family portrait with Rhys and his siblings that she paused. Next to it there was a portrait of the previous duke, Rhys’ father. Emme's eyes widened as she took in the small, intricate, filigreed cravat pin that he wore with only one small diamond adorning it. It was the same pin Rhys had found in the south wing.
The former duke had passed away long before Rhys’ first marriage, long before Elise had begun entertaining her lovers in the hallowed halls of Briarwood. Who had inherited the pin?
She needed to tell Rhys where she had seen the pin before and determine what significance it could have. In the hallway she rang for a footman and instructed him to have the portrait moved to the library. She then returned to the library herself to await Rhys’ return.
She did not have to wait long. She heard the heavy door bang in the corridor, the same door she had used prior to her first private encounter with Rhys. The noise of the door was followed by the sound of male voices. When they reached the library Emme noted that the lot of them were filthy. Covered in dirt and cobwebs, they all looked worse for wear.
She reached for the bell pull and instructed Winstone to have luncheon brought in.
After he had left, she looked pointedly at Rhys and said, “Did you find anything?"
He shook his head. “Not a bloody thing."
Emme smiled. “I think I've found something and before you begin to yell, I did not go near the tunnels!” Stepping aside, she indicated the portrait. “Look at the pin."
It was Michael who stepped forward and stared in growing recognition. “I knew I'd seen it before."
Rhys stared at the portrait, at the cravat pin, and felt his heart sink. “Jeremy inherited that pin. I will speak with Tinsley and see what he knows."
Michael posed the question that plagued them all. “If the pin was your father's, what does the inscription mean? We had assumed it was from Elise to whomever but what if the ‘E’ was someone else altogether?"
Rhys considered it. “It is possible. My father's given name was Alexander, though I cannot recall anyone ever using his name freely. Even my mother called him Briarleigh."
"We need to see if the pin that Jeremy inherited is still amongst his things. Perhaps it isn't the same pin, but a duplicate and if it is a duplicate we need to find its origins,” Emme said.
Spencer nodded thoughtfully. “I think that is the wisest course of action at this point."
Emme left them to their lunch and went upstairs to check on Larissa.
After she had gone, Rhys turned back to Michael and asked, “Have you heard from Hycliff about the buttons?"
Michael shook his head. “He's traced them to a tailor on Saville Row, but unfortunately the man has passed on. It was a dead end."
Rhys cursed softly. It had been too much to hope that they would identify the fiend so easily. He knew that it couldn't go on much longer. They were all but living like prisoners in their home.
The thought renewed his purpose, and he said, “We'll head back to the tunnels after lunch then. There is still a lot of ground to be covered."