Roberts stood and nodded. “Just prove she is innocent, sir.”
“I will do my best.” But would his best be good enough to ensure Fairchild’s support? Not for the first time, Jack wondered if Fairchild was more interested in Lord Stanhope’s money than finding the truth. Somehow, he needed to convince the man that Tessa was not the guilty party. Unfortunately discovering that the duke was involved complicated this case immensely. Accusing the duke outright was out of the question as all he had to do was deny it and everyone would believe him based solely on his title.
Somehow, the duke would need to make a confession. No easy task when lying kept his good name intact. By the time he reached Fairchild’s office, Jack had convinced himself that this case was hopeless. Stanhope would never believe that the duke was involved because it didn’t offer him what he wanted—Tessa’s money.
“Well?” Fairchild asked as soon as Jack entered his office.
“It is not Lady Stanhope.” Jack sat down in the off-balance chair across from Fairchild. He glanced down to see if the leg of the chair was stuck on something but no, it was just the rickety chair.
“Well, I
do hope you have some evidence this time,” Fairchild said before returning his gaze to the papers on his desk.
Jack pulled the vial out of his waistcoat pocket and placed it down on the paper Fairchild was reading. “Will this do?”
Fairchild looked up with a scowl. “What is this?”
“All bets are arsenic.”
“And how did you find it? Was it in her bedroom?”
Jack sighed. “No, Fairchild. Her maid had it. She’d—”
“Hah! I knew Lady Stanhope was involved.” Fairchild leaned back in his chair with a smug look on his face “I am sorry, Raynerson. I could tell you were getting a bit too close with the chit.”
“That chit, as you call her, had nothing to do with the arsenic.” Jack grabbed the bottle and put it back in his pocket. “The vial was given to Miss Harte, Lady Stanhope’s maid, by the Duke of Worthington.”
“Bloody hell,” Fairchild muttered as he straightened up in his chair. “We can’t accuse a duke based on a maid’s testimony.”
“I realize that,” Jack commented.
Fairchild walked to his file cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whisky. After pouring two glasses, he handed one to Jack before sitting down again. He took a long sip of the spirit. “We’re done, then. Stanhope will never believe Worthington had anything to do with the death of his father.”
Jack gulped down the cheap whisky with a grimace. “The only way we get her fully cleared is if the duke confesses.”
Fairchild laughed harshly. “What duke is going to do that?”
“My thought exactly.” What would make the duke confess? Confronting him with the little evidence they had would never work. Something he loved would have to be at risk.
Tessa.
He scowled deeply with the thought of putting her at risk when it might not be enough to make the duke confess. There had to be another way. But as he sipped his whisky, no other ideas came to mind.
“What are you plotting?” Fairchild asked before taking the last sip of his whisky.
“He has to confess,” Jack said firmly.
“Agreed, but how are you going to get a confession out of the man?”
Slowly, Jack related his idea, even knowing that it meant she would hate him forever. At least this would clear her name of any wrongdoing or scandal. It would also show everyone, including Tessa, that she had no curse attached to her. Unfortunately, it was quite likely, his only option.
“It’s extremely risky, Jack.” Fairchild poured another glass of whisky for both of them. “What if you are wrong about him? If he doesn’t love her in the manner you believe, this plan might not be enough to make him confess.”
Jack knew the stakes were high. “I understand the risks. Are you behind me if this falls apart?”
“Of course.”
“Very well, then. I need to speak with Mr. Downing.”