the lad’s own mother and never was. He cleared his throat, having too much to do still to allow tears to cloud his eyes.
He shook his head, unable to believe that so much bounty could spring from the past few days of evil. Seeing how both of his loved ones were peaceful, he went into the sitting room to write all the letters he needed to send off first thing in the morning. He wrote to the Duke of Devon first, giving no details other than Lord Gordon had been the villain and he was now dead. He would ask Devon’s housekeeper or estate manager to make certain it was promptly delivered to him.
Then he wrote a missive to his brother, Adam, merely explaining their visit would be delayed because he was getting married. He promised to visit him after the spring thaw to introduce him and Lady Remi to Taffy.
His final missives were to his father and Gareth to tell them of his impending marriage to Taffy and once again briefly relate what had happened. He asked his father to break the news to Vera’s father by personally visiting the man. It seemed cold to tell him in a letter, and in truth, Gavin could not find the words to write for fear of increasing the man’s agony. This was one of Vera’s spurned suitors who had tried to kill the old laird’s only grandson. He would pay a call on Laird Grant once they returned to Inverness.
It was close to midnight by the time he’d finished writing all his letters. In the meantime, Mr. Barrow and his men had been winding up their investigation. He would not sleep until he heard their report.
As he was about to go in search of the man, someone knocked lightly on the door. Gavin was relieved to see Mr. Barrow and Mick. “Come in, gentlemen,” he said, motioning for them to join him in the sitting room.
“Thank you, m’lord.” They both shuffled in, sparing a glance at Taffy and Rafe who were curled together in the bed.
“I was on my way to find ye. What news?” he asked before any of them had taken a seat.
Mr. Barrow shook his head. “Another casualty, my lord.”
This surprised him. Then again, Gordon must have had assistance to slip in and obtain the maid’s outfit. “Who?”
“My man, Watkins.”
Somehow, he was not surprised. However, he had no idea how it had happened and was curious to know the details. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Barrow.”
“No, m’lord. I’m the one who’s sorry. It is my fault Miss Ralston is injured. You sensed Watkins was jealous of the lass. You were right. We’ve pieced it together as best we can. It appears he was the one who let Lord Gordon in this second time. He must have slipped back into the music room and unlatched the doors after he and Mick completed their rounds and went off shift for thirty minutes.”
Mick shook his head, looking as glum as his employer. “Lord Gordon must have been watching the house and wondering if it was a trick of some sort. Likely, he was beyond caring or even beyond rational thought by that point.”
Mr. Barrow continued the tale. “I don’t know what Watkins was thinking. Perhaps he thought to lure the man in on his own and take all the glory for singlehandedly apprehending him.”
Gavin nodded. “Aye, it is likely. I dinna know the man and it was obvious to me within a few minutes of meeting him that he harbored deep resentment for Taffy. He dinna care for her safety, only cared about showing her up.”
Mick voiced his agreement. “He was good at following orders but never had good judgment on his own. Terrible judgment, as it turns out. We found him in the music room with his throat slit.”
“We don’t know if Watkins brought the maid’s gown with him or if Lord Gordon stole it afterward on his own.”
“And ye’re certain there are no other casualties?”
Mr. Barrow nodded. “Fortunately, no one else in the household has been hurt…aside from our brave Miss Ralston, that is. And we understand from the doctor that she will survive.”
“Praise heaven,” Mick muttered.
“The magistrate has been called.” Mr. Barrow cleared his throat. “I have not given him a statement yet, but this is something we must discuss. Lord Gordon is of the upper class, m’lord. As are you. But Taffy is no one of consequence. A foundling.”
He understood Mr. Barrow’s drift immediately. Gordon was a nobleman.