Page 22 of The Moonstone Pirate
“Deandra told me yesterday while we were talking. She may be young, but she is clever and misses nothing. Your brother died while out riding with Driscoll and likely these same dissolute friends. Perhaps this is why they received forged invitations to your party.”
Draco’s heart slammed into his chest. “No wonder they would not answer my questions. They must have realized the connection and were desperate to hide it from me. All they admitted was to being friends with my brother and receiving invitations from me to commemorate him. But his dying at Driscoll’s house party puts an entirely new perspective on last night’s murder.”
“I’m sure your uncle will confirm what Deandra told me. If he cannot, there ought to be newspaper accounts of your brother’s death. Your uncle might have saved those articles. Shall we go ask him?”
Draco held her back a moment. “How did you know to ask this of Deandra?”
“I didn’t. I merely got her chatting about her life and family, and anything else she found interesting. I knew to ask more questions the moment she mentioned Nolan. A tingle ran up myspine, something that stirred my instincts. When she mentioned your brother had died at Driscoll’s house party, I knew there had to be a connection to Driscoll’s death atyourparty. I haven’t figured out what it is yet. But I was going to talk to you about it tonight when you joined us for supper. I’m glad you are here now.”
He rubbed a hand across his nape. “So am I. What else have you learned?”
“That is everything I am aware of, so far. But I sense you know something more. Will you tell me?”
“There isn’t much more to tell. Lord Hawes revealed that someone handed a note to one of my footmen and had him deliver it to Driscoll, who was still outdoors with all of them by the cliff walk. Driscoll laughed and tucked the note in his breast pocket, then went down to the old pirate caves to meet this person who had summoned him.”
“A note?” Imogen inhaled lightly. “Did you go through his pockets last night? Did you find it?”
“Your uncle was the one who searched Driscoll’s body, but he found nothing.”
“Nothing at all? He is thorough about these things,” she said, her disappointment apparent. “Well, since he lost his arm in the war, he cannot do everything as efficiently as he would like. But the two dukes were with him. I’m sure they looked for secret pockets, a tuck inside a seam or along a hem. Is it possible Driscoll’s friends took it?”
“They claim not to have taken it either.”
“Do you believe them?”
He nodded. “Yes, I think this is the only thing they were honest about. They were in a panic and just wanted to get away from the body as fast as possible. The killer must have taken it back after stabbing Driscoll. No note or other shred of paper was discovered on him.”
“Then you have to concentrate on your footmen, find out which one of them delivered the note to Driscoll. And you say Driscoll laughed when he read it, so the writer must have been someone familiar to him.”
“Someone he did not fear,” Draco muttered.
She met his gaze. “Let me know what the footman tells you. As an artist, I notice details. I was studying everyone last night, thinking to draw a few scenes of your party from memory. I may have noticed something about the killer or his costume… Well, it could behercostume. We don’t know yet whether the villain is a man or a woman.”
“I will share anything else I find out, Imogen. I’ve learned my lesson about protecting a lady’s delicate sensibilities.”
She laughed as he cast her a wry smile. “We have no delicate sensibilities, Draco. It is a myth invented by men who are afraid of being outdone by the ladies of their acquaintance. Speaking of ladies, I wonder if Nolan had a sweetheart. Deandra did not mention it, but we can ask her when she returns from the beach. The luncheon bell will ring shortly. Besides, my devil cousins will start howling soon because they need their naps. The clocks inside their little bodies run better than any of my uncle’s fancy clocks.”
In the meanwhile, they went in search of Draco’s uncle and found him in the library, just where Imogen expected he would be. “Uncle Albert,” Draco said as they entered the room that was filled with beautiful mahogany shelving, a massive desk in the center, an array of tufted leather chairs, and a settee to accommodate anyone wishing to pass the day in here reading. “I have some questions to ask you about Nolan.”
His uncle set aside his book and straightened in his chair. “What is it you wish to know, Woodley?”
Draco grimaced, for he much preferred to be addressed as Draco among family. Woodley was his father, or his brothers.Woodley was even his uncle, referred to as Lord Albert Woodley. But to be earl andtheLord Woodley, well that was not something Draco had grown used to even after holding the title for almost a year. “Did Nolan have a sweetheart?”
His uncle scratched his head. “Not that I am aware, but you are asking the wrong person. I never took interest in such matters, nor did I ever go about in his elite circles. Nor did Deandra or I see much of him even when your father was dying and we were practically living at his townhouse in those final few months. Your father and I were very close as brothers. I think he found comfort in my visiting him every day. I often read to him. Deandra must have been bored throughout, but the dear girl never complained. She spoke to Nolan more than I did. He used to come around sometimes, especially when your father was close to taking his last breath.”
He harrumphed before continuing. “He came around because he was eager to inherit the title. He did not show much care for your father. I’m sorry you and Rafael were not home at the time. You would have been kinder, genuinely caring for his comfort in his final days.”
“Rafael was assigned to India at the time,” Draco said, tamping down a surge of regret. He and Rafael had been keen to strike out on their own and make something of themselves, but in doing so, they let family matters slide. Now, he had lost them all and not been with any of them when they faced their last moments. “News of our father’s failing health must have taken months to reach Rafael.”
“As it did you. We had no idea where to look for you. Had you been commissioned in the Royal Navy, there would have been a record of the ship under your command and its location. But you were on your own private missions, and no one could tell us anything.”
“You were a privateer?” Imogen asked Draco, her gaze on him intent.
He nodded. “On special assignment. I am not at liberty to speak of my services.”
Her eyes widened. “As an agent for the Crown?”
“Imogen, do not pry. My vessel was available to anyone who wished to pay my price,” Draco said, purposely giving an evasive answer.
