Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

LEVI OVERTON, DUKE OF LENNOX

"W hy would my fiancée kill you?" Levi asked, wrapping his arms around Miss Braddock's tense body.

Miss Drummond flinched at his words, providing the exact reaction he hoped for when he made the announcement.

"Y-Your fiancée?" She paled, her green eyes widening as she backed away from him. "That's not possible."

Levi raised his eyebrows. "Please, enlighten me on why I'm mistaken regarding the woman to whom I'm engaged."

Licking her lips, Miss Drummond glanced at Miss Braddock. "The lady already accepted my brother's request."

"According to both Mr. Braddock and my fiancée, she rejected his offer." Levi's eyes narrowed, anger flowing through him. "If Mr. Drummond would like to discuss the matter with me, I'd be happy to grant him an audience."

Miss Drummond snapped her mouth shut, spun on her heel, and strode from the ballroom.

Leaning against his chest, Miss Braddock tipped her head, staring into his eyes. "Hello, Your Grace."

"Hello." He smiled.

"Did you and Ernest speak with Humphrey?"

"Mr. Drummond departed from the inn prior to our arrival." Levi's arms tightened around her. "According to the information we received, he should have arrived an hour ago."

Trembling, she rotated in his embrace. "Do you think he's here?"

"In Wiltshire or at the ball?" Levi asked, nodding to Roxburghe as he strolled past with Miss Webb.

"Either… both." Her head whipped back and forth, searching the ballroom for Humphrey.

"I presume Mr. Venning offered lodging to his nephew as he did with his niece," Levi said, eyes scanning the room. "Whether Mr. Drummond accepted, I don't know."

Ernest, his face pinched into a scowl, appeared at Levi's elbow. "Your Grace, you have an obligation to fulfill."

"Indeed, I do." Levi grinned and clamped a hand on Miss Braddock's wrist, dragging her toward the orchestra.

He silenced the musicians, waiting until a crowd gathered around them, then turned and addressed the room.

"Many of you have read the dreadful gossip printed about Miss Braddock over the past few days; I'll not speak to those false rumors." He lifted Miss Braddock's hand, flashing the ruby ring on her finger. "What I will say is that when I asked Miss Braddock to become my wife, she agreed."

A deafening cheer echoed through the ballroom. Levi and Miss Braddock were passed from couple to couple, each person congratulating them on their upcoming union.

"I do hope," Levi said, leaning in, "that you've reserved a dance for your fiancé."

"He may have as many as he desires," Miss Braddock replied, turning toward him.

Her mouth was less than an inch from his.

" He ," Levi said, his gaze dropping to her lips, "desires to find a private location so that he may properly greet you after his long absence."

Deep scarlet exploded across Miss Braddock's face. "As you wish, Your Grace."

Taking her hand, he spun her in a lazy circle, then led Miss Braddock around the edge of the dance floor toward the exit. He had no specific destination in mind and assumed they would wander the corridor until they discovered an empty room.

Mr. Braddock stepped in front of them, blocking the doorway.

"Dance with me, Eveline."

He didn't give either of them a chance to respond. Grasping his sister's hand, Mr. Braddock dragged her onto the dance floor as the orchestra played the first strains of a quadrille.

"Does that happen often?" Grisham's teasing baritone washed over Levi's shoulder.

"He did catch me in his sister's bedchamber." Levi's gaze followed Miss Braddock as she whirled past.

"And yet, here you stand before me?" Grisham chuckled and moved away from the exit.

"I announced my official engagement to Miss Braddock," Levi replied, inching toward the dance floor. "Her brother has no grievance to present."

Grisham grabbed Levi's arm, his expression grave. "Are you pleased with the upcoming union?"

"I would that my wedding was tomorrow." Levi turned and locked his eyes on Grisham. "However, I do have a request to make of you."

"Shall we retire to a quieter location?" Grisham suggested, tilting his head toward the hallway.

After one final glance at Miss Braddock, Levi followed Grisham into the corridor. They wandered toward the marble staircase adorning the foyer and peeked into the room near the base of the steps, discovering Mr. Venning's study.

"This will do," Levi said, striding into the room and closing the door behind Grisham once he entered.

"Quite a bit of secrecy in your request, Lennox." Grisham took a seat in an ornately carved wooden chair and folded his hands together. "Should I be concerned?"

Levi paced the study. "The rumors printed about Miss Braddock—or Miss Rowe—were true."

"All of them?" Grisham leaned forward, a line creasing his forehead. "How are you engaged?"

"She refused the other man," Levi said, stopping beside the fireplace. "Her brother negotiated the connection without her consent, and when she rejected the man, he attacked her, and she ran."

"Where is this other man now?"

"Mr. Drummond," Levi said, resuming his pacing, "is due to arrive tonight."

Grisham's eyes flicked to the closed door, a silent question burning in them.

"She's currently in the care of her brother, and our friends generously lent their support until this matter is resolved." Levi sat in the chair, fixing his gaze on Grisham. "Mr. Drummond is dangerous, as is his sister. Do not leave Miss Philbert with either of them."

Grisham's hand clenched. "Miss Drummond is related to our host. Is he involved in this situation?"

Levi shook his head. "From what I've learned, only Miss Drummond and her brother are responsible for tormenting Miss Braddock."

"I appreciate the warning," Grisham said, rising.

"There is one other urgent matter I need to address," Levi said, gesturing at the empty chair. "It involves Roxburghe."

Sinking onto the edge of the seat, Grisham released a heavy sigh. "What has he done?"

"He refused my request to exchange wedding dates."

Grisham stared at Levi for a long moment.

"You cannot have mine," Grisham declared as he stood, fire flashing through his eyes. "I was engaged first."

"You never wanted to marry!" Levi flung up his arms.

"Neither did you," Grisham snarled. "And I didn't set a wager with my friends to avoid the situation altogether."

They scowled at each other, chests heaving.

A woman's scream broke the silence, the sound shattering Levi's heart. With Grisham half a beat behind him, he raced across the study, ran into the foyer, and skidded to a stop.

In the center of the floor, blood seeping from her skull, lay the twisted body of Miss Drummond, and beside her, his hand covered in blood, crouched Mr. Braddock.

"I didn't do this," he said and pointed toward the front door. "While I was outside smoking, I heard a scream. I thought it was Eveline and raced inside. I came upon Miss Drummond a moment before you discovered us."

"Did you see anyone?" Levi asked, striding forward and kneeling on the other side of Miss Drummond.

Mr. Braddock shook his head. "I'm surprised you heard her yell. The music in the ballroom is quite loud."

"We were in the study," Grisham said as he circled the gruesome scene. "It's quite cold this evening. Why were you outside?"

Glancing at Levi, Mr. Braddock said, "Mr. Drummond is expected this evening. Smoking was my excuse to catch him before he entered the ball."

Levi groaned. "Were you going to address him alone?"

"Yes." A slight shudder rippled down Mr. Braddock's spine. "This predicament is my doing and my responsibility."

"I admire your courage," Grisham said, then indicated Miss Drummond with his head. "However, there's no need to act rashly."

Irritation poured from Mr. Braddock. "As I previously claimed, Your Grace. This wasn't my doing."

Grisham folded his arms across his chest. "I see no other suspects."

Leaning back, Levi studied the banister above them, then rose and walked to the base of the staircase. Before he climbed the steps, he glanced over at Grisham.

"If you knew Mr. Braddock's character as I did, you'd understand why that statement is incorrect."

"You've known him less than a week." Grisham frowned.

"I've known Miss Braddock longer, and like her brother, neither is capable of violence… or defense." Levi's eyes flicked to Mr. Braddock. "Thus, the importance of matching your sisters to men of strength."

Mr. Braddock reddened, dropped his head, and nodded.

"Which returns us to the original question," Levi said as he ascended the staircase. "Who murdered Miss Drummond?"

He scanned the second-floor landing, his gaze sifting through shadows. Near a potted plant, a lightly colored spot on the rug caught his attention. Kneeling, he reached out and picked up a bit of ripped lace torn from a ladies' dress.

"Is Miss Drummond's gown ripped?" Levi asked, peering over the banister at Mr. Braddock.

"There doesn't appear to be any damage to the front of her dress," he replied after inspecting the lace adorning her bodice and sleeves.

"And the back?"

Mr. Braddock and Grisham exchanged a glance.

"We'll need to lift her," Grisham replied, shuffling closer to her body.

As he and Mr. Braddock gently turned Miss Drummond's torso, Levi descended the staircase, clutching the small piece of lace. However, they discovered no rip on the back of the gown either.

"What is that?" Mr. Braddock pointed to something small clutched in Miss Drummond's right hand.

He laid her body on the floor, then pried open her fingers, pulling out a crumpled paper. Frowning, he peeled open the page. As his eyes scanned over the words, he paled.

"Eveline," Mr. Braddock whispered, the note falling from his fingers.

Levi dove for the missive, grabbing the page before Grisham, and read, "Meet me in the foyer at midnight to receive your final payment."

"Is it Miss Braddock's hand?" Grisham asked, peering over Levi's shoulder.

"I'm not certain," Levi replied and lifted his eyes to Mr. Braddock. "What do you think?"

He shrugged. "It may or may not be. I presumed the last letter I received was from Eveline."

Levi grimaced, rubbing the piece of lace between his fingers. "This would indicate the killer was a woman."

What other women, aside from Miss Braddock, held a grudge against Miss Drummond ?

"Where did you leave your sister?" Grisham asked, tugging the page from Levi's fingers.

"With the Duke of Mansfield," Mr. Braddock replied, gesturing toward the ballroom. "I informed him I intended to walk the perimeter of the ball and would return within twenty minutes."

"Then we need to confirm your sister was with Mansfield during the whole of your absence." Grisham handed the folded note back to Levi.

"Why did I hear my name?" The Duke of Mansfield strolled toward them and froze when his gaze landed on Miss Drummond.

A low curse whipped toward them.

"What happened here?" he asked, keeping his distance from the body.

"We're not entirely certain," Levi replied, gesturing Mansfield closer. "I thought you were attending Miss Braddock."

"She abandoned me about ten minutes ago to search for her brother." Mansfield's critical gaze swept over Miss Drummond's corpse.

Levi slid in front of him, blocking Mansfield's view. "You swore you'd remain by Miss Braddock's side until my return."

"First, you returned." Mansfield's eyes narrowed. "And second, I have no intention of wrestling a lady to the floor to prevent her from leaving my presence."

Grisham leaned over and murmured, "Ten minutes would have been enough time to push Miss Drummond."

"Miss Braddock didn't kill Miss Drummond!" Levi's voice echoed off the ceiling.

"Your Grace?" Miss Venning's soft voice crawled into the foyer.

All four men spun around, shifting their positions until Miss Drummond was hidden by their bodies.

"Good evening, Miss Venning," Levi replied, subtly moving with her as though dancing when she crossed the foyer.

"Is anything the matter?" she asked, a faint furrow in her brow. "I heard yelling."

"Merely a difference of opinion," Levi said, forcing a bright smile. "We'll resolve the issue more quietly."

"I appreciate your discretion, Your Grace." She curtsied, slowly turning.

As she rotated, Levi's gaze slid over her gown, searching for torn lace. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Mr. Braddock taking a tiny step sideways. The motion drew Miss Venning's attention.

Everything moved in slow motion. Miss Venning's violet eyes dropped to the floor, narrowing for a moment as she squinted at the object behind Mr. Braddock's shoe, then widened.

She darted forward and shoved Mr. Braddock aside. Her hands flying to her mouth, she released a blood-chilling scream. Then, still shrieking, she raced down the hallway and collapsed in the ballroom doorway.

Heads poked out of the ballroom, first to ascertain Miss Venning's well-being, then to investigate the origin of her fright. Within minutes, half the ballroom emptied into the foyer, forming a loose semi-circle around Miss Drummond's body.

Mr. Venning's familiar white head threaded its way to the front of the crowd.

"Selina…" Kneeling beside her body, he lifted her limp wrist and released a sob.

"Which of Your Graces witnessed the accident?" Mr. Venning's tear-filled eyes flicked between Levi, Grisham, and Mansfield.

Sighing, Levi crouched beside Mr. Venning, retrieved his handkerchief, and discreetly passed the cloth to the older man.

"None of us," Levi murmured and leaned closer, regretting the words that needed to come from his lips. "And this wasn't an accident. Your niece was pushed."

Mr. Venning paled, his gaze dropping to the pool of blood beneath Miss Drummond's head. "By whom?"

"Someone in attendance," Levi said, discreetly inspecting the gowns of the ladies nearest him.

"Fetch the parish constable!" Mr. Venning yelled as he stood.

A young man dressed in a deep purple jacket bowed and rushed from the foyer.

Mr. Venning clapped his hands together and addressed the crowd. "Would everyone return to the ballroom? We'll get this matter sorted as quickly as possible. However, until Mr. Hughes arrives, I must ask you all to remain."

From the center of the throng, a haughty voice announced, "I'm not waiting through another investigation."

Levi's gaze scanned the crowd for the dissenter.

"If you depart, Mrs. Creasy," Mr. Venning replied, "we'll assume the culprit is you or your daughter."

"Why must we all suffer?" She huffed and crossed her arms. "There's only one person in attendance who had a public disagreement with your niece."

It felt as though Levi's heart had plunged into an icy pond.

"Miss Rowe, that is, Miss Braddock," Mrs. Creasey said, pointing her finger at the ballroom doorway where Miss Braddock hovered.

A cry of agreement rose up from the attendees. Someone reached out, grabbing Miss Braddock and pushing her into the center of the throng. They closed in on her.

Her faint protest carried over the group to Levi. "I haven't left the ballroom since my arrival."

"Is there a witness to support this claim,"—Mrs. Creasey looked directly at Levi—"who isn't her fiancé?"

Mr. Braddock stepped in front of Levi. "Eveline didn't kill Miss Drummond. I did."

"You?" The shock on Mrs. Creasey's face mirrored that of Levi. "Why would you murder her?"

"I'm certain you've read the newspaper articles about Miss Braddock." He waited for Mrs. Creasey to nod her confirmation. "Miss Drummond was the party responsible for extorting my sister. When I discovered Miss Drummond coerced Eveline out of our deceased mother's necklace, I felt nothing but rage."

Sadness passing through his eyes, Mr. Venning knelt, unfastened the pearl necklace from Miss Drummond's throat, and held the jewelry out to Levi. "Please accept my apologies, Your Grace. I hope you do not judge my family solely upon the actions of my niece."

Levi inclined his head, accepting the necklace. "I hold no ill will toward you or your daughter."

"Whatever your motive," Mrs. Creasey sniffed, her beady eyes locking on Mr. Braddock, "you killed Miss Drummond, and there's only one place for murderers. Prison."

The crowd surged toward Mr. Braddock.

"Stop!" The stern command rang through the foyer.

Everyone froze and turned en masse, staring at the entrance.

After removing his hat and coat, Mr. Hughes passed the items to the footman who'd retrieved him, then strode forward, his gray eyes drinking in the spectacle, and grimaced.

"Ah, Your Grace," Mr. Hughes clucked, approaching Levi. "Another death? It's quite a shame we're meeting again under the same circumstances. Is Miss Webb the suspect again?"

"He is." Mrs. Creasey stabbed her bejeweled finger in the direction of Mr. Braddock. "He admitted to slaughtering that poor girl."

" That poor girl ," Mr. Braddock snarled, "was extorting money from my sister!"

Mr. Hughes expelled a heavy sigh. "And what is your name?"

"Braddock."

"Mr. Braddock, I'm arresting you for murder," Mr. Hughes said, crooking his finger at the doorway.

The coach driver darted forward, a pair of iron manacles clanking as he hurried across the floor. Holding out his wrists, Mr. Braddock made no attempt to escape his fate. Once the cuffs were clamped on his arms, the coach driver led Mr. Braddock through the doorway to the waiting carriage.

"The body will be removed shortly." Mr. Hughes nodded to Mr. Venning and then to Levi. "Fastest case I've ever solved."

"Don't celebrate just yet," Levi murmured, pulling Mr. Hughes aside and slipping the note into the constable's hand.

"What's this?" Mr. Hughes frowned and glanced down.

Levi licked his lips. "It's the missive we pried from Miss Drummond's fingers after we discovered her body."

"It could be Mr. Braddock's hand."

"It could…" Levi nodded toward the waiting coach. "However, if you compare his writing to those words, I'm quite certain the scrawl won't match."

Mr. Hughes pinched the bridge of his nose. "Then why would he confess to murder?"

"He believes his sister committed the crime."

"Did she?"

Levi crossed his arms over his chest. "My fiancée did not kill Miss Drummond."

Mr. Hughes looked as though he wished to swear. Mouth folding into a thin line, he strode to the entrance, waved at the coachman, indicating the carriage should leave with Mr. Braddock, and then marched back to Levi.

"Is there anything else you haven't shared with me?"

Fingers curling around the torn lace, Levi shook his head. He couldn't reveal the scrap of fabric until he was certain it hadn't come from Miss Braddock's gown.

Nodding, Mr. Hughes shifted his attention to Mr. Venning. "We should empty out the foyer to preserve any undiscovered evidence. Would you ask your guests to return to the ballroom until we can remove Miss Drummond's body?"

"What happened to Selina?" Anger rumbled through the foyer, silencing the undercurrent of whispers.

"Who are you?" Mr. Hughes asked, turning toward the dark-haired behemoth vibrating in the doorway.

"Mr. Humphrey Drummond. Brother of the deceased."