“Of course I am not speaking of murder.” He waved his hand back and forth between them. “I speak of your womanly tactics to seduce me into marriage, Miss Bennett.”
Astounded that he had drawn such a ridiculous conclusion, all she could do was blink while she gathered her thoughts. “My lord, you’ve blood on your gloves. You wiped it onto your face. I was attempting to remove it for two reasons.” She snatched her hand from his grasp. “No doubt your mother would swoon again when faced with evidence of a murder. And I wished to spare you any further distress.”
Silence ensued.
Lord Denham cleared his throat. “So, you do not wish to marry me, Miss Bennett?”
“No, my lord.” A few times this evening, she had thought about kissing him, about pulling him into an embrace and assuring him all would be well. But certainly nothing more than that. No, nothing more than that. “I could never shackle myself to a man simply for convenience.” And she doubted he would want to marry a liar.
“Then it is my turn to beg for forgiveness for making the wrong assumption. This whole damn party reeks of dishonesty and distrust.”
Guilt flared for the untruths she had told. But surely the earl understood the sacrifices one made for the people they loved.
“I am at fault,” she confessed. “What else are you meant to think when a lady removes her glove and caresses your cheek? Having spent eight years living with Montague Forsyth, one learns to act on impulse.”
The earl inclined his head. “Having spent a lifetime with Penelope de Wold, one learns to be cautious of people’s motives.”
“Then I will forgive your suspicions.”
“And I shall forgive your impulsive displays of affection.”
They continued to stare at one another as the flurry of snow fell around them. In his company, it was easy to forget the outside world existed. Indeed, another pang of guilt forced her to shake her mind back to the recent and tragic event.
“My lord, might I be so bold as to say that while your birthday looms over your head like an executioner’s axe, Mr Bellham will never see another sunrise. Should we not move him? Find a quiet, restful place to lay his body while we wait for the magistrate and coroner?”
Exhaling a weary sigh, the earl moved to crouch next to his friend. Seconds passed while Lord Denham became lost in thoughtful contemplation.
“We cannot bring Bertie into the house,” he eventually said. “Not with every fire blazing. It might be days before the magistrate can make the journey by carriage. Sir Ellis is too frail to travel on horseback.”
“Then perhaps there’s an outbuilding we might use. Somewhere peaceful, away from the house.”
“Yes, I’m sure there’s a suitable place where—”
The thud of a horse’s hooves captured their attention. Lord Flanders cantered down the drive towards them, while grooms and stable hands hurried along behind. Two carried lanterns. Two pulled a hand cart.
They spent the next twenty minutes moving Mr Bellham to the old bothy near the orchard. Lord Denham insisted on spending a few moments alone with his friend before locking the door and slipping the key into his coat pocket.
Before walking back to the main house, the earl informed his groom that, at first light, he was to attempt the four-mile ride to Pewsey and deliver a letter to Sir Ellis. The magistrate would need to alert the coroner, who lived three miles further on the road to Marlborough.
Having stabled his horse, Lord Flanders caught up with them as they mounted Wollaston’s stone steps. “What do you plan to do now, Denham?” Lord Flanders said, panting to catch his breath. “How the devil will you break the dreadful news to the guests?”
The earl cast Lara a sidelong glance before replying. “I shall inform them during dinner. That way, the ladies may comfort one another. We should discuss the incident openly, not whisper about it behind closed doors. Do you approve, Miss Bennett?”
“Indeed, my lord.” Questions needed asking. And his mother would have no option but to display the composure of a countess when amongst company. “As none of us have much hope of leaving, it is vital we discover some details concerning Mr Bellham’s demise.”
Once inside the house, Lord Denham took control of the situation, as one would expect from a man of his elevated position. So why did he not deal with his mother in the same confident manner? The earl instructed Lord Flanders not to mention a word about what had occurred this last hour. He spoke briefly to his butler. While Lara noticed the wariness in the earl’s eyes upon hearing news that Viscount Northcott had arrived at Wollaston Hall, he made no comment.
“Allow me to escort you to your room, Miss Bennett. Crudging assures me a maid has lit the fire and is currently unpacking your valise.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
They mounted the stairs in silence. Tension radiated from every firm muscle as he directed her along the landing towards the west wing. Perhaps it was the effects of the cold that made her fingers throb and tingle. Perhaps it was the sudden need to offer physical comfort to the man silently struggling with distress. A light touch on the arm might suffice. But no. She mustn’t. Not after the misunderstanding earlier.
They came to a halt outside a bedchamber door.
“I will need your help, Miss Bennett,” he whispered. He stood so close she could feel the essence of the man penetrate her clothes. “You’re the only other person here who possesses a logical brain.”
The compliment caused a strange fluttering in her heart. “What would you have me do?”