Page 80 of Marigold and the Marquess
Also, he had to admit they did know their anatomy better than any medical men with years of experience in the field. He should not have been an arse about keeping them from the scene of the crime last night. He had only done so because he was worried the killer was still lurking close by and did not want to give him the opportunity to harm Marigold or her friends.
There was also a part of him that hoped the killer was close, because he sorely wanted to get his hands on him. Despite his outwardly calm demeanor, he was agitated and frustrated. He wanted the freedom to handle matters on his own and not have an audience following him around to comment on everything he did.
He especially did not want Marigold or her friends watching him as he killed a man.
Their carriage turned onto Denby’s street. “Here we are, love. Stay close to me and do not question my instructions or I shall put you back in this carriage and send you home.”
He knew he sounded surly.
Marigold was frowning at him again, obviously not pleased with his highhanded manner. He was terrible at taking orders, but his sweet wife was just as bad. These Farthingales raised their children to think for themselves, not merely obey an order because it had been given. They had been taught to question everything and stand up for themselves.
Had she not vowed in their marriage ceremony to honor and obey him?
Well, he was no paragon of a husband.
Nor was he in jolly humor at the moment because Ian was going to take full charge of this investigation and relegate him to taking orders. However, he swallowed his pride. He knew better than to defy to Ian. As a duke, he was higher in rank than Leo. More important, he was one of the smartest men working for the Crown and Leo was not going to do anything to undermine him, especially if men high in the Foreign Office were involved in treasonous endeavors.
To say anything would place Ian’s life in danger, too.
In any event, Leo had given his oath not to interfere with the Crown investigation. He had promised to behave himself for thirty days and would hold to it. “Anything new?” he asked Ian, encountering him in the entry hall once he and Marigold had disembarked from their carriage and walked in.
Ian arched an eyebrow. “Good morning to you, too.” He greeted Marigold cordially before responding to Leo’s question. “Nothing yet, but it is only a matter of hours before Denby’s organization starts to unravel. Finn Brayden is here. He’s already dug up the name of a bank for us. Mr. Barrow is on his way there right now with two of his best men and a writ from the magistrate. They’ll make certain no one at the bank attempts to destroy any ledgers. Finn will head over there as soon as he finishes going through Denby’s accounts.”
“That is excellent.” Marigold was smiling as she turned to him. “Is it not excellent news, Leo?”
No.
He did not like being a mere bystander in this investigation.
However, he nodded. “Seems you have matters under control.”
“It is what I do, Leo. This is not a sport for any of us. You ought to know better than anyone. I need you to work with me, not grumble and resent me because I must have the lead here.”
Marigold was nodding and casting Ian a charming smile. “We appreciate all you are doing.”
Ian grinned. “We try our best. Leo, you don’t look too pleased.”
“Don’t mind me. I’m just being an arse.” He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck and sighed. “You’re about to dismantle a serious threat to the Crown and catch some highly placed traitors. I know this is more important than my petty desire for revenge.”
“Sticking your knife into someone you have adjudged to be guilty is not going to help anyone, least of all you, Leo. You’ll have your revenge as we capture each conspirator and they stand trial.”
“But you will have nothing on Cummings.”
“Your little rat of a cousin? Yes, we will. If he paid Denby to kill you, then we will dig up the proof. A withdrawal from your cousin’s account and a corresponding deposit shortly thereafter into Denby’s account should be enough to start. As for the others, those who do not hang will rot in prison for the rest of their lives. Titles will be stripped, lands forfeited. The ones highest up in this organization will soon realize it is all coming apart.”
Leo glanced at the stairs leading up to Denby’s study and made a sound of disgust. “Brought down by Finn’s accounting.”
“Is this not better than having shots fired and innocent people getting hurt?” Marigold grumbled.
Ian glanced at Marigold as he spoke. “Finn is about to link these men to their treasonous activities. I stand ready with my Crown agents to bring them in. We intend to move fast and stop them before they flee England.”
“We discussed the possibility of their fleeing last night with the Thorne brothers, and my friends, Syd and Gory,” Marigold said. “Do you really think it will all fall apart so quickly for these villains?”
Ian nodded. “Yes, for certain. Now that we know which bank they used to conduct their activities, Finn will find a name or series of names, or a pattern of deposits that can be traced to other accounts. It is just a matter of finding the accounts to match those transfers. Once we do, we’ll have the direct link to Denby’s cohorts.”
Marigold listened attentively, no doubt thrilled to have any role in this investigation. Leo knew she viewed her primary role as his guardian. She meant to stay close to him and hold him on a tight leash. He supposed it was the only way she knew how to keep him out of trouble. “Is it possible they used other banks, as well?” she asked.
“Ian will have access to every bank in London,” Leo replied. “He’ll have his men on it as soon as Finn finds the links.”
