Stafford leaned back in his chair, casually letting his hand dangle over the arm. “I respect Mr. Darcy and would willingly face anything for him.”

“Good… . . . good.” As was his way, the baronet made eye contact with Adam Lawrence. “Mr. Darcy has told me of the various deaths, as well as the attack on his footman. He informs me that you thought his wife’s sister to be involved somehow. Might you enlighten me as to what brought you to that conclusion?”

Adam looked away, the intensity of the magistrate’s stare bothering him. He hesitated. “How do I say this?” he muttered.

“It is between us,” Sir Phillip assured him.

Adam flushed. “As a future earl, I am…am accustomed to having women of various stations approach me. Some are innocents, and I avoid them. Most whom I indulge are married women who seek some excitement from a very dull relationship. Although the lady never expressed in words an invitation to her bed, the invitation remained, just the same. I have heard it many times, Sir Phillip. I did not mistake the intent of Mrs.Wickham’s attentions.”

“I am well aware of the lady’s husband, Lord Stafford. He is trouble, and I do not doubt that his wife might need someone to champion her cause.” Sir Phillip laid the pen to the side.“And your cousin,Your Lordship?”

Adam smiled knowingly. “My mistress, Sir Phillip.”

“As I assumed, young man.”The magistrate’s grim features softened slightly. “You care for Miss Donnel?”

“Probably more than I should,” Stafford admitted. “But I could never marry her…my father would keel over dead if I dared to marry below what Society demands that I take as a wife.”

Sir Phillip frowned. “I care not for the new ways. In my day, a man married the woman whom his father told him to marry, and then he tried to make the best of what Fate had given him—make a tolerable life. Yet, I see men like our host marry for love, and I envy the contentedness written across their faces. Perhaps someday you shall know such happiness, too, Lord Stafford.”

“Possibly.”

Sir Phillip took up the pen again, indicating they were on the official record once more. “And do you still believe Mrs. Wickham to be party to the murders at Pemberley?”

“I no longer believe the lady to be directly involved, but try as I will, I cannot completely exonerate Mrs. Wickham.” The magistrate gestured for Lawrence to continue. “It was Mrs. Wickham’s silk stocking wrapped around the maid’s neck. And it was her room left in shambles—and her hysterics, which placed Mrs. Darcy in danger.The list could go on and on. I simply cannot shake the uncanny feeling that the lady is more involved than any of us know.”


“I shall keep your warning in mind, Your Lordship. I never disregard a hunch—however irrational it may seem on the surface.” Sir Phillip made a quick notation. “Now, tell me anything else you believe I should know.Tell me what you saw when you accompanied Mr. Darcy on his investigations.”

“How much longer must we wait for Lieutenant Harwood?” Lady Catherine grumbled.“I am not in the habit of waiting for my lessers.”

“None of us are, Aunt.” Darcy moved to the bell cord. “Let us send to the man’s room and determine what delays him.”

Anne reached impulsively for her mother’s hand.“Mother, I regret bringing such shame upon your household.” Anne swallowed hard, but she did not look away.“I hope you can forgive me someday.”

Surprisingly, Lady Catherine took her daughter’s outstretched hand and cradled it in her two gnarled palms. “You have been an exemplary child throughout the years.We shall deal decisively with this worm of a man.”

Darcy nodded to Worth, indicating that his aunt had taken a major step by not chastising her daughter.

“Thank you, Mother,” Anne whispered.

“I suppose you will tell me,” Lady Catherine said with her usual sarcasm, “that I shall have to tolerate your choosing your own mate—much as your cousin Darcy has done.”

Anne glanced quickly at Mr. Worth. “You shall, Mother, but I have learned to think more clearly and less impulsively.”

“Then your experience in Liverpool will have been a serviceable lesson.”

A light tap at the door curtailed the conversation. “Come,” Darcy called from his seat.

Murray bowed to the room. “May I serve you, Mr. Darcy?”

“Yes, Murray. Please seek Lieutenant Harwood in his room and tell the gentleman that we await him.”

“Right away, Mr. Darcy.”The footman backed out of the room. Yet, before Murray could turn and make his full exit, Mr. Baldwin appeared.

“Excuse the interruption, Mr. Darcy. Booker reports that Lucas has returned, and your cousin the colonel rides with him. They should be dismounting in the drive at this moment.”

“Excellent, Mr. Baldwin.” Darcy stood immediately. “Let me greet Edward properly, and I shall bring him to see you, Aunt. Do not begin your discussion with the lieutenant until we return. I sent for the colonel because of Harwood’s arrival.”

“Will Edward help us?” Anne pleaded.

“It is my wish, Cousin.” Darcy quickly followed his butler from the room.

Within moments, Darcy strode forward to greet one of the two men he counted as his closest acquaintances. Edward Fitzwilliam, one and thirty, was not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman—he moved with the ease of a well-bred man. When Darcy entered the foyer, he found the colonel disposing of his greatcoat and gloves.

“Edward, you have come!” Darcy called as he embraced the man. “You are a welcome surprise.”

Edward Fitzwilliam returned the embrace.“Your letter gave me no other choice.”

“Edward,” Elizabeth said as she materialized beside Darcy, “we are ever so glad to see you.”

Impulsively, the colonel picked her up and spun the petite Mrs. Darcy about. “My goodness, Cousin. Marriage treats you very well.” He set her down gently. “You are absolutely glowing.”

“Unhand my wife,” Darcy half threatened.

“Mrs. Darcy always liked me best,” the colonel teased.

Darcy grumbled, “Do not remind me, Cousin, or I may have to run you through.” Darcy caught Elizabeth’s hand and possessively pulled her to him. “The lady married me,” he warned with a raised eyebrow.

Edward retorted, “You are not a second son.”

“Gentlemen,” Elizabeth cautioned, “we are all where we were intended to be. Colonel, quit teasing my husband. He lacks a sense of humor in the matter.”

“That is why I enjoy bringing it to his attention.” The colonel winked at Elizabeth before good-naturedly slapping Darcy on the back. “Where is my ward?” Edward demanded.

“Our ward,” Darcy corrected.

“Here,” Georgiana said from halfway up the first flight of steps. She had rushed from her room as soon as word had come of Edward’s arrival.

The colonel’s eyes lifted to find her, and his heart lurched in his chest. “You cannot be my Georgiana.” He lovingly examined the girl as she slowly descended the last few steps. “You are a beautiful lady, where I was expecting a gangly young girl.”

“My sister does not recognize her value,” Elizabeth whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, taking note of the anxiousness in Georgiana’s eyes.

“Well, she shall learn it from me,” the colonel asserted. He walked toward her, opening his arms to accept Georgiana into his embrace. “You are exquisite, my Dear,” he spoke softly to her upturned face before kissing the tip of Georgiana’s nose. “I shall have to sharpen my sword to run off all the men when they see you, Sweetling.” He turned his younger cousin back to her brother.“Shall we be entertaining the idea of a London Season for my girl this year?”The colonel beamed with pride, but Elizabeth saw the look of disappointment on Georgiana’s face. She would need to speak to Darcy’s sister privately.

Darcy snaked his arm about Elizabeth’s waist. “We may have to wait another year. Mrs. Darcy’s confinement shall prevent our spending much time in London this Season.”

It took but a heartbeat for Darcy’s news to reach Edward’s consciousness. “Well, you devil!” He grinned at Darcy.“When had you planned on sharing the news with the rest of the family?”

“As the lady just informed us all in the past few days, the time has not proven available,” Darcy declared.

“I cannot wait to share the news with the earl and the countess. They will be ecstatic.”

“Edward Fitzwilliam!” Adam Lawrence’s baritone voice resonated from the top of the stairs.“Am I ever pleased to see you!” He came quickly down the last flight of steps.

The colonel released Georgiana so he might greet the viscount. “Stafford.” Edward extended his hand.“Darcy’s letter said you were among his guests. My brother sends his regards.”

“Mr. Darcy sent for you?” Stafford questioned as he took the colonel’s hand in friendship.

The colonel smiled. “He did,Your Lordship.”

“I hate to cut this short,” Darcy said to the two men, “but Her Ladyship and our cousin await us in the back drawing room. If you will excuse us, Stafford, we three can catch up after the colonel makes his greetings to our aunt and has time to freshen his clothing.”

“Certainly, Darcy. Sir Phillip has finished with me. Shall I send either my cousin or Mrs.Wickham in to speak to the baronet?”

Darcy maneuvered the colonel toward the back hallway. “If Miss Donnel would not mind speaking to Spurlock, I would be most grateful.”

“I will see to it, Darcy.”

Darcy nodded his thanks before turning to follow his cousin.

“Darcy!” Stafford’s voice froze him in place. “Look!” The viscount pointed to the tiled floor, now wet from the tracked-in snow and ice left by the colonel and the footman.

Darcy’s eyes followed the viscount’s to several clearly marked boot tracks. “That settles it. I want Sir Phillip to speak to Harwood now.”

“What is it, Darcy?” The colonel rejoined the other two men in the corridor.

“Your boot tracks, Edward,” Darcy murmured, his mind already adding the facts to the mystery. “They are the same shape as the ones we found close to the cottages, where Georgiana saw her shadow man, and the same as those near where we found my maid’s body. Our murderer is wearing the same type of boots as you.”

The colonel finished Darcy’s thought. “A military issue.”

“Mr. Darcy.” Murray had suddenly appeared on the stairs. “You should come with me, sir.”

“What is it, Murray?”

“The lieutenant, sir. His room is locked from the inside, and the gentleman does not answer. I knocked several times and have called out his name, but there is no response.”

Darcy grumbled, “Ask Sir Phillip to join us, Murray.”

“Yes, sir.” The footman reversed direction and headed toward his master’s study.

Darcy forced his feet to move. “Bring your keys, Mr. Baldwin. Elizabeth, you and Georgiana are to stay here.”

“Yes, Fitzwilliam.”

He led the way to the second-floor quarters, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Viscount Stafford close on his heels. In his heart, Darcy knew each step led him to another mystery—another loss of life. When will this end? he wondered. How can I stop this madness?

Mr. Baldwin fumbled with his keys as Darcy pounded loudly on the door, trying to rouse a possibly sleeping Harwood.“Open it!” he ordered the butler as the others gathered close by. Baldwin slid the key into the lock and turned it to disengage the mechanism. He released the handle and stepped back to give the others access. Darcy burst through the opening, saying a silent prayer that his suspicions would be found wrong, but a bloody heap brought him up short. Sir Phillip, the colonel, and Stafford stacked up behind him. Harwood lay crumpled and broken in the floor’s center, and the amount of blood, which was staining the carpet, told them they were too late.

With purpose, Sir Phillip moved from behind Darcy to the body. He caught the lieutenant’s shoulders and rolled the man to his back. The officer had pulled up on his knees, apparently trying to seek help or to escape, but he had made it no further. Now, arms spread open, the body stared, wide-eyed, at nothing. Sir Phillip gently touched the lids, closing them. “His-his throat has been slit,” the baronet stammered. “Look for a weapon.”

Darcy, Stafford, and the colonel fanned out automatically in several directions. “The water,” the colonel gestured toward the table, “is full of blood.” He traced a circle in the bowl. “Was the lieutenant shaving? The bloody towel is on the floor, but I see no blade.”