Sebastian chuckled, and patted his brother on the shoulder consolingly. “But you are back now safe and sound, and
there isn’t a scratch on her.” He eyed his sister-in-law’s smug expression ruefully.
“We got what we wanted,” Izzy announced, suddenly becoming serious. “Ballantyne murdered the maid.”
“Are you certain?” Sebastian asked, with a quick look at Dominic who was still downing brandy as though it was his lifeline to sanity.
“Definitely.” Isobel glanced at Amelia. “It seemed that the depths of depravity to which Ballantyne and his associates sank was worse than anyone anticipated. Both brothers were hated by the servants. Especially the maids. The prettier ones were singled out, and used for sexual services with the threat of being cast out hanging over them, if they didn’t comply.”
“Oh, dear God,” Amelia gasped in horror.
“Unfortunately, they singled out Martha. She revealed the truth to her sister a few weeks before her death, when she made her monthly visit home. She told her that the brothers were becoming more and more menacing. One girl they had been using had simply vanished.” Isobel accepted the brandy her husband offered her with a small smile before continuing. “Martha was really scared. Her sister wasn’t sure if she was expecting and tried to persuade her to leave, but she refused. Her family never saw her alive again after that.”
“Do you think the sister will speak in court, if Ballantyne is arrested for murder?” Sebastian asked looking at his brother.
Dominic removed a sheaf of papers from beneath his jacket and handed them to Sebastian.
“She recounted her story for Isobel to write down. Knowing we were after Ballantyne, she signed it before we left. It will be enough to implicate Ballantyne. Rumours are that he is still at it with his current servants. God knows how many he has involved. The servants aren’t the only ones who hate him. Most of the village hate him.”
“Quite understandable.” Sebastian took a deep breath. “I think we have enough to arrange for his immediate arrest.”
“I already called in on Lord Montague, who was sending men out to arrest him. Apparently he was already aware of Ballantyne’s activities, but could get few of the villagers to talk to him. With little evidence, there was little he could do until he found someone prepared to reveal the truth.”
“So that’s it? Ballantyne is no longer a threat?” Amelia asked in astonishment, feeling somewhat deflated. She was vastly relieved for the maids that Ballantyne’s days of debauchery and murder were over.
“That’s it,” Peter replied, with a smile of satisfaction. “Now we can all resume our normal lives, and hopefully they will be peaceful ones for a while.”
“Amen to that,” Edward muttered, pushing to his feet. “I don’t know about you, Peter, but after all of this talk of murder and death I feel like a game of billiards, and some of Sebastian’s finest brandy. If I spend much more time in the saddle, I will start to walk bow-legged. Care to join us, Eastleigh?” At Eastleigh’s ready agreement the three men left, leaving silence in their wake.
“Well, I am going to take a long bath, and put my dress back on. These long trousers chafe something terrible.” Isobel rose, tugging at the knees of the dark brown material ruefully. As she passed, she tugged on her husband’s jacket, dragging him with her.
“You have been cooped up in this house for days, Amelia. Would you care to take a turn around the gardens with me?” Sebastian stood and held out his arm to her.
Now Ballantyne was safely behind bars, he wanted to settle their future together.
“That would be lovely,” Amelia smiled, taking his arm and following him outside.
As they strolled, she took a deep breath of the refreshing afternoon air. There was a slight breeze that took the heat off the sunshine and it felt wonderful against her face. It was blissful to be outside and feel the sunshine once more. She hadn’t realised just how much she had missed being able to walk wherever she chose, when she chose.
“It seems like a chapter is closing.” Amelia glanced at him as they walked.
“I know. It is time to make some decisions on what we are going to do next,” Sebastian sighed, walking her slowly towards the pavilion.
“My father will want to return to Eastleigh Hall as soon as possible.” Amelia felt her stomach tighten nervously.
“He will wait for the wedding though, won’t he?” Sebastian murmured softly, drawing her to a halt just inside the doorway of the wooden structure at the end of the gardens.
“Wedding?” Amelia felt her heart stop as she turned towards him.
“You have to marry me, Amelia, you know that.” Sebastian tried to keep the frustration out of his voice. Did he really have to spell it out to her again?
“I don’t have to do anything. My father has informed me that I am independently wealthy and can do as I please. He did tell me you had already asked for my hand in marriage, but has also said that he will support and assist me in whatever I decide.”
Amelia wanted to move into his arms, but the story of her parents’ fate and the effect it had on everyone, including her, held her firm.
“You could be carrying my child.” Sebastian eyed her small waist. “I want no child of mine being born a bastard.” He immediately regretted his choice of words when Amelia flinched.
“What is stopping you from saying yes? You know I am not after your wealth. We enjoy a healthy relationship in bed, and out of it,” he added, when she made to protest. “Although we still have a lot to learn about each other, we get on very well indeed. Our marriage will be a happy and fulfilling one.”