Page 77 of A Baron's Disguised Lady
“And so you see, she was using Gwendolene to get to me, and it seems Gwendolene refused her. It made her angry enough to kill. She’s admitted it. Search her home, you’ll find the laurel water there,” Archie said, and the magistrate nodded.
“A remarkable tale,” he said, shaking his head.
Wilhelmina scowled at them.
“You don’t know what you’re saying, Archie. I did it for you. I did all this for you,” she said, but Archie waved his hand dismissively.
“I never want to see you again. You’re nothing to me. I never loved you. I never courted your affections. I don’t owe you anything,” he said, and Wilhelmina began to sob.
“I’ve heard enough. Take her way. We’ll make a thorough search of the house, though with these letters and the confession… but what of Lord Bath?” the magistrate asked.
The question of Lord Bath remained, but Archie now shook his head.
“Leave it for another day. He had nothing to do with Gwendolene’s death. There, I’ve said it. I was wrong. And I’m willing to apologize to him,” Archie replied.
Lavinia slipped her hand into his and squeezed it as Wilhelmina was led away.
“Lavinia, you must be terribly cold. Come along. Let’s get you back to the house. You can change out of your wet things, and we’ll have some tea. Goodness knows I need a cup myself,” Horatia said.
Lavinia nodded. It was the most extraordinary conclusion to an extraordinary set of events. It had simply never crossed her mind to think of Wilhelmina as the murderer.
“And do you think it was Wilhelmina who broke into the house that night?” Lavinia asked, as they walked up the drive toward the house.
Archie nodded.
“She must’ve come to poison you. She knew there was… well, a chance you and I were growing closer. She saw it at the ball,” Archie said, blushing at his own words.
Lavinia shuddered.
“Thank goodness I bolted the door that night,” she said.
Despite her claims against any evidence, Lavinia had convinced herself Lord Bath had something to do with Gwendolene’s death. It had all seemed to fit, but now she was forced to remind herself that an odious man was not necessarily a man who broke the law. A man, or woman, could be a thoroughly unpleasant individual, but never once set foot outside the bounds of legality. Lord Bath, it seemed, was just such a man.
“Now, Lavinia, let’s get you upstairs. Daisy can bring hot water for you to bathe. What a terrible ordeal you’ve suffered,” Horatia said, shaking her head as she led Lavinia upstairs.
But Lavinia was only relieved to have survived. She had no doubt Wilhelmina would have killed her if Archie had not come to her rescue.
“I’m the lucky one… but poor Gwendolene. Well, I’m just glad we know the truth,” Lavinia replied, and Horatia nodded.
“I am, too. Poor Gwendolene. She didn’t deserve such a fate. But I’m so grateful to you, Lavinia. Archie couldn’t have discovered the truth without you. The two of you are made for one another,” she said, and Lavinia blushed.
“Well… I suppose that depends on him, doesn’t it?” she replied, and Horatia raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, I think he realizes the debt he owes you,” she replied.
***
Archie sat down in the drawing room with a heavy sigh. His clothes were covered in mud, and his mind was racing with thoughts of all that had occurred in the past few hours. It all seemed too extraordinary for words. The relief he felt at discovering the truth as to who had murdered his sister was tempered by the terrible thought of how close he had come to losing the woman he had come to love.
And it took this for me to tell her,he thought to himself.
There had been no romantic stroll through the orchard, no turning and taking Lavinia’s hand in his, no gaze fixed on one another… Archie had told Lavinia he was in love with her at the worst of moments, when her life had been in danger, and as Gwendolene’s murderer stood before them.
And yet, in doing so, there was no doubt in Archie’s mind he had spoken the truth. Hedidlove Lavinia. He loved her more than mere words could say. Seeing her fall into the river, and feeling the desperation in his heart, had been enough for him to be certain.
“Are you all right, Archie?” his mother asked, and Archie looked up to find her standing in the doorway of the drawing room.
He nodded, rising to his feet, and looking down at himself—covered in mud, his clothes torn, but otherwise unharmed.
