Page 69 of Tempting Fate
Felicity revealed the entire story of the letter, the poison ingested by Mrs. Winterton, her attack in the street that led her to posting the advertisement for a guard. She told them of the fight in the garden, and didn’t miss the meaningful glance between Mercy and Raphael as she recounted Gabriel’s bravery that night.
After careful thought, she omitted the part about her fainting.
“Where is Gabriel?” Raphael queried. “I was certain he’d be prowling close by.”
Mercy shrugged. “He was patching a broken windowpane with planks on the glasshouse, last I saw.”
Raphael nodded, tapping his chin in a pensive posture. “I will consult with him, but the poisoning aspect of this… it doesn’t feel like Marco. Neither does hiring others to do his wet work. If there is killing to be done, that bastard will jump at the chance to get his hands dirty every time.” He studied Felicity so intently, she swore she could hear the gears of his brain grinding away. “Tell me of this fortune you have inherited… It is common knowledge?”
Felicity squirmed. “Yes.”
“Have you turned down any proposals lately, from men who would be after your assets?”
“There have been a several suitors of interest, most recently the Earl of Bainbridge. However, he proposedafterI was threatened or attacked. I can’t think of what his motive would be.”
“I can,” Mercy interjected. “He is our cousin of some distance, and an earl, besides, but I have heard he’s quite penniless. He needs an heiress.”
“Yes, but he was honest with me about that. It’s part of why I decided we wouldn’t suit. And while he made it abundantly clear that he didn’t love me, he was nothing but cordial when I refused him.”
Raphael stroked his angular jaw. “Bainbridge… he lives in the vicinity?”
“He does, just on the other side of the park.”
Nodding, he seemed to come to a conclusion. “Well, it’s important we find Marco whether he’s behind this or not. I won’t feel that either of you are safe until I’m able to spit on his grave. However, I’d like to speak to this Bainbridge.”
“Gareth— Gabriel didn’t seem to think highly of him,” she said.
Smirking, Raphael went to the door. “My brother has excellent instincts, though in this case, they might be a bit suspect. Perhaps we can get Morley involved, now that he’s back from the Continent.”
At that, Felicity groaned. “I don’t want everyone to make a fuss.”
“If your life is in danger, Felicity,” Mercy shook her elbow, “best you get used to a bit of fuss, and be glad it’s not an all-out war.”
Felicity proffered a weak smile, deeply grateful for such a family as this, regardless of her trepidation over the attention.
“Well, let us all get some much-needed rest, yes?” Raphael yawned, though whether in earnest or for effect, it was difficult to say.
Felicity stood and kissed her sister goodnight, reveling in their closeness, as if one half of her had been returned. “I missed you. I’m glad you’re back.”
“I made it back just in time, I see,” Mercy said, clinging to her. “I’ll go to hell before I see you married for anything but affection. I don’t care what Father wrote in that damned will. He was wrong. It was like a parting shot.”
At that, Felicity tensed. “Does my fortune go to Bainbridge upon my death?”
“No,” Mercy answered.
“Then, who?”
Her sister’s mouth fell open. “The solicitor said there was a list of names, but he cannot reveal them to you or to the other recipients until such time as is deemed necessary.”
“Say someone found out…” Felicity postulated. “Shouldn’t everyone on that list be considered a suspect?”
“Then it is the solicitor we go to first thing,” Raphael said, his eyes glittering with a dark anticipation. “We’llmakehim talk.”
Chapter 14
Knowing sleep was impossible, Felicity stood outside Gabriel’s door for several breaths.
She could feel him in there. A man like that carried some sort of atmosphere with him, like the current in the air before a storm broke.
