The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

“Yes, it is,” Jack bit out as anger tainted his reply.

“Very well. Were you here last evening at half nine?”

Jack frowned. “Yes,” he said slowly. “But she was not aware of my presence.”

“Exactly what does that mean?” he asked.

“I was waiting upstairs in her bedchamber.”

“So when Lord and Lady Langport arrived you were not in the same room and couldn’t see or hear what happened?”

Jack released Tessa’s hand and clenched his fists. “No, I was not in the room, however, she relayed the conversation to me later. What is this all about, Downing?”

“Lady Langport passed away last night. From all accounts, it may be poison. Since Lady Stanhope was the last person to see them together and based on her history, it is only natural to speak with her first.”

“Lady Stanhope did not poison anyone. And what do you mean based on her history?”

Downing slid a glance to Tessa before saying, “Mr. Douglass Fairchild has an investigation company, similar to Bow Street. Apparently, he has a man looking into her husbands’ deaths because there is a rumor that she might have poisoned them.”

“Oh, my God,” Tessa mumbled softly before opening her eyes. “Someone is investigating me again.”

Jack helped her sit up and then offered her a sip of water. “Are you all right, Lady Stanhope?”

She took a long draught of the water and then handed him the glass. “No, I am not all right, Mr. Raynerson. Once again, my reputation is being maligned with false charges. Vanessa had been right. I discounted what she’d told me, believing everything was finally behind me.”

“No one is charging you with anything...yet, Lady Stanhope,” Downing commented. “I only came here to ascertain the truth.”

“She’s dead, Jack,” Tessa cried. “Langport’s beautiful bride is dead.”

Jack nodded as guilt slid over him. Until this case was settled, he couldn’t tell her that he was the man investigating her.

“Lady Stanhope, what happened last night?”

Tessa closed her eyes. “My mother, sisters and I were dining with the duke last evening when Lord and Lady Langport joined us late. We had finished our last course when they arrived. She...” Tessa opened her eyes and looked at Jack.

“Tell him.”

“Lady Langport made a comment about seeing Mr. Raynerson escort me out of Lady Creighton’s ball, which upset everyone. My family left and then an hour later, Lord and Lady Langport arrived here so she could apologize. She felt dreadful for what she’d said.”

“Then what happened?”

“She was complaining of a headache and stomachache so they took their leave,” Tessa replied. “They weren’t here more than ten minutes.”

“Did they eat or drink anything here?”

“No.”

Downing tilted his head and gave her a skeptical look.

“Lord Langport can confirm everything I just told you,” she added.

“Of course. And how long have you known Lord Langport?”

“Five years, well except he was in India for three of those years,” Tessa said.

“And is Lord Langport also your lover?”

Jack jumped out of his seat. “You go too far, Downing. Now take your leave.”