Page 65 of Captivating the Countess
“I cannot imagine how Rain plans to hold them off much longer. Is he interrogating the guests as to where they were last night? We were everywhere. It’s not possible.” Other than painful bruising, Bell felt fine, but Rainford had refused to bring up her ledgers or anything resembling work.
“Maybe he’s waiting for your ghosts to speak. Or he’s hypnotized them. I’ve been wondering if that’s what his voice does. I must say it’s quite effective, whatever he’s doing. With your help,” the duke added politely.
His words were music to her ears. If the duke might live... she might build castles in the air. “I simply exist, in the same manner as your son’s hand. Rain is the one with the voice and the knowledge. Hypnosis is an interesting theory.” She moved her queen and hoped for the best.
“Call the girls in and have one of their séances. See if the ghosts know who pushed you. You can’t be held prisoner in here forever. I’m enjoying the company, but you’re young and should be out enjoying life.” He cornered her king.
“And I’m a very bad chess player, and you’d like someone like Lord Delahey who can challenge you. We could teach Button and your man to play whist. I’m much better at that.” Bell moved the playing pieces back in place, ignoring his reference to a séance.
“You’re afraid a séance will raise my wife’s ghost to scold you for using her chambers,” he taunted, not distracted from his point. “What if the spirits could tell you the guilty party?”
“They can’t. They don’t know our names, apparently. We should see if a preacher might do an exorcism. Spirits should move on to peace.” And not speak through her.
A knock interrupted their dispute.
“Well, that was faster than I expected.” The duke checked the watch he’d left on the table to time their wagers. “Since we both said ten minutes, is the winner the one who guesses the right person?”
“No, we both lose because we guessed the time wrong. I’m not losing all my wages to your wily ways.” Bell gestured for him to take the first move.
Both AliciaandDelahey argued to be allowed in.
“You should write them a note we can pass through the crack, tell them you’re being held prisoner and that they must climb the walls and rescue you,” Bell suggested.
The duke cackled.
Silence abruptly reined at the door.
“Papa?” Alicia finally called. “Is everything all right?”
“Your brother has run mad like all the rest of you. So I’d say everything is fine.” The duke moved his pawn.
Bell chuckled at the quiet consultation outside the door. Rain had gone a little bit mad, but then, she wasn’t exactly pleased that someone had presumably attempted to kill her. Of course, if it had been a ghost, then she wasn’t safe even in here.
Twenty-four
“What the devil is going on?”Delahey entered Rain’s study in the imperious manner he no doubt used in parliament. Nearing forty, still handsome enough but growing soft in the middle, Victoria’s husband had experience in throwing around his considerable weight. “The women are all aflutter and Teddy is swearing the duke died and you aren’t telling anyone.”
“Where were you last evening and who are your witnesses?” Rain had a chart laid out on his desk. He didn’t wish to accuse anyone without proof of guilt, but if he could narrow his list of suspects, he’d simply have them removed from the house.
He prayed the list wouldn’t include anyone in his family. He’d not only have a hard time heaving them out, but he’d have an even worse time believing it of them. He had to strengthen the wall he kept between himself and others until this matter was settled.
If he couldn’t keep Bell safe, he’d have to send her away. A piece of him died each time he thought of that. So he wouldn’t think it. He’d find the culprit first.
“Tell me what’s happening, and I’ll give you my answer,” Delahey countered. “You’re the one who wasn’t anywhere about last night.”
“I was in my room or I wouldn’t have to ask. I have two patients on my hands this morning, and I don’t want a third. Make my life easier, please, and simply answer my questions. The alternative is that I send the whole damned family and company home.”
Delahey frowned and settled into one of the leather chairs. “Victoria wouldn’t leave if she thought the duke in danger. You’d have to tie her up and toss her out. I’ll give you a list of everyone in the card party and their approximate time of departure, if that will help. You can compare to what others say. Now will you tell me?”
Bell would tell him that he couldn’t do everything himself. Grudgingly accepting the need for help, Rain explained as carefully as he could without making a gullible idiot out of himself. Delahey listened with a frown at the ghostly warning. But he appeared appalled at mention of the countess mysteriously falling down stairs.
With the conciseness of a trained observer, his brother-in-law gave a clear picture of the card party.
Rain jotted notes and drew up a chart. “Stay here while I call for Victoria and let her verify this. Then I’ll need someone who was in the drawing room to confirm the various early arrivals from the card room and when they left the drawing room.” Rain pulled the rope and had a footman hunt for his sister.
“It’s possible the countess is simply an hysteric or playing on your sympathies,” Delahey suggested as they waited.
Rain pierced him with a withering glare. “I think I’m a better judge of character than that. Did the countess ever give you the impression of being a fool?”
