Raven (Gentlemen of the Order #2) - Adele Clee Page 0,63

Sloane interjected. “But why would Archer want to marry the maid and not Miss Draper?”

Maud raised her chin and sneered. “I thought he loved me, though have since discovered he needed money. Mr Draper paid Bartholomew a vast sum to take me to India and pretend to be Jessica Draper.”

“My father was trying to protect Jessica’s reputation.”

“What? By keeping her locked away?” Maud countered.

“He didn’t want her committed to an asylum.”

“Had she gone to an asylum, perhaps someone would have discovered there was nothing wrong with her.” Maud’s tone held a hint of arrogance. “The truth would have come to light. No. The most important thing for your father was avoiding a scandal.”

Finlay tried to remain calm for Sophia’s sake. But knowing he might have been spared years of heartache, knowing Hannah might still be living a quiet, provincial life as a spinster, left his blood boiling.

“So, Archer needed money and used Jessica’s accident as an opportunity to extort funds.” Finlay clenched his jaw. His hands throbbed with the need to drive his fist into Archer’s devious mouth and let him feast on broken teeth.

Goodwin rubbed his neck and sighed. “Yes, but there’s more.”

Sophia found Finlay’s hand and gripped it tightly. “No doubt.”

“Perhaps I should explain,” Maud said.

Goodwin nodded and hung his head.

Maud pushed shakily to her feet. Standing gave the impression one spoke with authority. The maid wanted to convince them there was truth to her tale.

“I can say it now without crumpling into a quivering wreck.” Maud straightened her shoulders. “A year ago, I found old letters written by Dr Goodwin to my husband, written when the doctor lived in Godstow. It was easy to work out what Bartholomew wrote to receive such a response.”

“The crux of it is this,” Goodwin interrupted impatiently. “Archer hoped Maud would die in India. He planned to return to England, whereupon I would reduce Miss Draper’s medicine and restore her to full health. Then they could marry as originally intended.” He punched the air in a sudden burst of anger. “If only you’d let me hide her in Oxford.”

“Bartholomew wants her inheritance,” Maud blurted. “He wants to kill me, marry Miss Draper and take control of her money. That is the crux of it.”

“No one knows my sister is to inherit,” Sophia said.

Goodwin winced. “Miss Draper knows. She told me about it during one of our sessions a few years ago. I told Archer. I was trying to reason with him. I said it wasn’t too late to put matters right. Miss Draper could marry another gentleman, and no one need know of our duplicity.”

Despite the fact Goodwin still held the poker, Finlay stood slowly. Goodwin moved to step back, but Finlay grabbed the man’s cravat and delivered a hard punch to the stomach.

“You white-livered swine. You’re lucky I don’t rip your damn head from your shoulders. I’d haul you to the nearest police office were it not for the fact I need you.”

Goodwin coughed and spluttered.

Finlay grabbed the fraud by his scrawny neck. “Where the hell is Archer now?”

“Somewhere near Windlesham,” Goodwin rasped. “He’s been stalking the woods at night these last two weeks, hoping to meet Miss Draper and persuade her to run away with him.”

It would be easy to abduct a confused woman. And after visiting the apothecary, Finlay knew why Jessica wandered aimlessly at night. “You were supposed to meddle with her mind, make her believe she still loved him. I stole a vial from your bag and had an apothecary determine the contents. It contained small traces of amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric. Not enough to cause any lasting damage, but enough to cause confusion and hallucinations.”

Goodwin winced, anticipating another punch. “No, just enough so she might believe she still loved him, but Miss Draper was adamant she never loved him at all.”

Probably because she loved Blent. Was there anything more attractive to a woman than a man who would give his life to protect her?

“Of course she doesn’t love him.” Maud’s downturned mouth conveyed her bitterness. “He’s a lying scoundrel. Once they’re wed, he’ll take her money, take her to India, and leave her to die from loneliness and boredom.”

There were many flaws in Mr Archer’s plan. The main one stood with her hands braced on her hips, throwing daggers of disdain.

Finlay released his grip of Goodwin’s neck. “To marry Miss Draper, he would have to get rid of you, Maud. I presume you’ve come here hoping Goodwin will help put an end to