The Marquess Method by Kathleen Ayers
28
“My lady, Coates wishes to speak with you.”
Theo looked up from her book, though she’d barely managed to read a page. She was still ruminating about Haven’s uncle and what she should do about her suspicions. She’d thought of nothing else all day yesterday and had written several letters to her husband, unsure what else she could do, but had yet to send them. Her imaginings, in the clear light of day, seemed just that, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Overwhelming may be too strong a word.
The fact remained, she had no proof. No one would believe Erasmus had bankrupted the family on purpose because it didn’t make sense for him to do so. Even Theo thought it was a rather idiotic thing to do even if you were half-mad. There was no way to prove he’d impersonated his brother. And for all she knew, Haven’s father had developed a taste for French brandy when he gambled. It was no sin to like brandy.
“Lady Haven.” Coates stood at the door, hands clasped, a worried look on his broad face.
“Hello, Coates.” She waved him in. “Is something amiss?”
“No, it’s only—” He glanced at Pith, then back to her. He looked down at his clasped hands.
“Pith, would you bring me some tea, if you please?” Theo gave the butler a pointed look. Coates had something to say, and he wouldn’t, not if Pith was listening.
The butler bowed, glaring at Coates, a subtle reminder to mind himself around Theo. Which was ridiculous. Coates would never step out of line.
The footman visibly relaxed as Pith left. “I’m sorry to disturb you, my lady. But something happened last night, and I must make you aware of it.” He looked away for a moment and wet his lips as if struggling over how to tell her.
“It’s all right, Coates. Go ahead.” She nodded, encouraging him to speak.
“As you know, my brother works the door at Elysium most nights,” he said in a rush, glancing down at his boots.
“I do.”
“Well,” he started, cheeks pinking. “Sometimes when I have a night off, I visit my brother at Elysium, and I was off last night.”
“Is that what you came to tell me? I assure you it isn’t the most terrible thing in the world. The duke won’t mind, as long as you don’t make a habit of it, and it doesn’t interfere with your brother’s duties.”
“Begging your pardon, Lady Haven, but that isn’t it. Last night, I was with my brother, and Lord Haven’s uncle appeared at the door. He didn’t see me, not at first. He was raving something awful. Demanding entry to Elysium.”
Theo’s fingers shook slightly. “You’re certain? It was Lord Erasmus?”
“I am. Begging your pardon, my lady, but he smelled of brandy. Said he was the Marquess of Haven. And—well he didn’t sound— ” He struggled for the word, probably not wishing to offend her.
“Dimwitted?”
Coates nodded. “Told my brother he’d have his job for refusing him entrance. Said he knew Mr. Murphy, that they were old friends. His membership would be reinstated because he was the Marquess of Haven and he’d soon be coming into a fortune. He was dressed very fine, my lady. Even had a walking stick. When I stepped out from behind my brother, he started shaking something awful and ran off.”
There was something else. Theo could see it in the footman’s face.
“What else, Coates?”
His throat bobbed. “I don’t even wish to tell you.” He reddened further. “He tried to hit me with the walking stick before he ran.” Coates bit his lip. “Said to tell you, my lady, that you’ll make a lovely widow. He was well in his cups. Could be just the ravings of a man whose had too much to drink. But my brother and I both thought you should know.”
“This was last night?” What if Erasmus had already gone back to Greenbriar? What if—
She looked up at Coates.
“Yes, my lady. After midnight.”
Her brother wasn’t here. He’d escorted Maggie, Olivia, and her mother to an outdoor gathering at Lady Fulton’s. Phaedra was somewhere. Practicing with her wooden sword, most likely. By the time Tony returned or she sent word, it could be hours, and Theo wasn’t sure there was time to spare.
I was right. Very satisfying. Unless Erasmus had already made her a widow. There wouldn’t be anything satisfying about that.
“Coates.” Theo stood and addressed him. “Fetch Stitch and the coach. I’ll need you to accompany me to Greenbriar. We must inform Lord Haven of what has occurred.”
“My lady?”
Erasmus might just be a drunk spouting nonsense. Or he could be a calculating lunatic who meant to harm her annoying husband. And Theo couldn’t allow that to happen. Because if anyone was going to suffocate her husband with a pillow or pinch his nose when he snored, it was going to be her. Erasmus better not lay a hand on Ambrose. Not so much as a quivering finger.
“Immediately, Coates. There isn’t any time to waste.”
