Page 78 of Redemption for the Baron

Barrington’s gaze sharpened. “Then perhaps you can explain why it smells of poison.”

The room stilled.

Lady Worthington let out a soft laugh. “Poison? Surely you jest.”

Townsend shook his head. “Belladonna. A slow but effective toxin when used in small doses. Lethal in larger ones. Mark Alastair was stabbed with a thin, pointed blade, one much like this.”

Lady Worthington’s chin lifted. “You can’t be serious.”

Blackwood stepped forward. “Evelina, if you know something, now is the time to speak.”

She turned to him. “I don’t know anything, Cedric.”

Barrington picked up a square of linen and pressed it against the bodkin’s tip. A faint trace of blood stained the cloth. “You’ve been in distress over this bodkin since it disappeared. You claimed it was a cherished heirloom, yet it’s connected to murder.”

Lady Worthington’s breathing quickened. “It was stolen from me!”

Bridget folded her arms. “By who?”

“How should I know? Someone in this house.”

Townsend stepped closer. “When did you notice it was missing?”

She hesitated. “I—”

Bridget narrowed her eyes. “The morning the rumors started about the journal?”

Lady Worthington swallowed. “Coincidence.”

Thomas finally spoke. “You weren’t worried about the sentimental value. You were worried that someone might look too closely.”

Lady Worthington glanced toward the door. “You cannot truly believe—”

Barrington cut her off. “Mark Alastair was murdered by someone desperate to keep the journal hidden. What did you think he was going to uncover?”

The room fell silent.

Her fists clenched. “This is preposterous.”

Blackwood took a step toward her. “Evelina.”

She looked at him. “I did what was necessary.”

Bridget’s breath caught.

Lady Worthington’s composure cracked. “Alastair was careless. He was going to ruin everything.”

Townsend straightened. “The Order.”

Lady Worthington let out a sharp breath. “This is absurd—”

“You stabbed him,” Barrington interrupted holding up the bodkin.

“I had no choice!”

The room froze.

Blackwood exhaled and stepped back. His face was unreadable.

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