a poisonous snake. “I’m to be bought off, just like this?”
“Henry hired you for your character. I know I don’t have to bribe you. I want you to have it. To take care of your sister. To buy yourself a future.”
“I don’t want it.”
“Don’t be so proud. Why shouldn’t you have it? You found it. Do you think David Kelby deserves it after all he’s done?”
Reyn rolled the stone in his hand. “Was your husband’s death natural? I ran into Kelby on the road from the village last night. He was coming from this direction.”
Maris felt dizzy. “What? What do you mean?”
“Has a doctor been called?”
“Dr. Crandall is here now.” Maris had willingly left him alone, coward that she was.
“I’ll go talk to him.”
“You cannot! Anything you say will seem odd. You’re supposed to be a stranger. Just a temporary employee.”
Reyn’s mouth was mulish. “He should know to look for what’s beyond the obvious.”
“Reyn, Henry was an old man. His heart has been weak for years. This day has been coming for a long while.” And Maris had still been unprepared.
She was relieved to see Reyn tuck the emerald into his pocket.
“When do you want me to go?”
“They are getting your things together now. You’ll want to go upstairs and make sure they don’t overlook anything.” It was the only way, really. If he stayed, she would not be responsible if she flung herself into his arms and wept her heart out.
Could one love two men at once?
It seemed one could.
Oh, that is ridiculous. She could not possibly be in love with Reynold Durant. She barely knew him. He was a stranger. She was just confused by the circumstances she found herself in. The past few days had been too much for her, had made her lose her good sense.
Reyn looked like a stranger, his expression inscrutable, his black eyes dull. She felt his withdrawal almost as a physical thing, as though the air between them was becoming thinner.
“You’ll let me know.” It was no longer a question, but an order.
“I-I will. But you mustn’t come back.” She’d have to deal with David Kelby alone.
“As you wish, Countess.”
And then he was gone. There had been no kiss, to her hand or any other part of her, no more words. That was what she wanted, wasn’t it? A necessary break.
Maris walked to the fireplace. No matter how many coals were burning, she thought she’d never be warm again.
Reyn headed straight for the library. The phalanx of footmen was back at their positions, their green frockcoats augmented with black mourning armbands. That was quick, but he supposed, at a moment’s notice, they were ready for anything at Kelby Hall.
He would leave—couldn’t wait to leave—but first he’d go against Maris’s express wish and speak to Dr. Crandall. He found the man in whispered conversation with Amesbury outside the library door. Both men looked up at his interruption and Reyn rearranged his temper.
“Good morning. I wonder if I might have a word with you, Dr. Crandall.”
“Who are you?” The doctor was a portly fellow who seemed annoyed to be ripped away from his breakfast at the early hour.
“Captain Durant is the antiquities expert the late earl engaged,” Amesbury explained.
“What do you want?”
“I was just wondering if the earl expired of natural causes.”
Amesbury turned a bit gray. The doctor opened his mouth, but it was a while before “What?” came out.
“I realize the Earl of Kelby was an elderly man in precarious health. But he seemed quite well when I spoke with him the other day.”
“I am sure he did. The earl enjoyed good days, except when he did not,” Dr. Crandall replied testily. “I can assure you there is nothing suspicious in the manner of the earl’s demise. Frankly, I’m astounded that you should think so.”
“It’s just . . . a feeling,” Reyn temporized. “I get them in my line of work, which is why I’ve been able to make such valuable discoveries and whatnot.” It was true he’d always had a bit of intuition, which had saved his skin a few times. “I wonder, Amesbury, did the earl receive any visitors last night?”
“Not to my knowledge, Captain. He went into the library shortly after dining with the countess. You were the only one about last night, according to John.” Amesbury meant Aloysius.
Well, I stepped in front of that bullet. Reyn had had a brief conversation with the bleary-eyed young footman when he’d admitted him into the house. Reyn frowned and considered asking to