Best Laid Plans (A Gentleman of Misfortune, Book 2)

Chapter Twenty

The rest of the meal was tense. It hadn't taken long for the topic to be turned to the weather. By the time the ladies withdrew, I was more than ready for a stronger drink. "Now that the ladies have gone out, can you share anything more about the murder investigation?" Colonel Mayfield asked as he reached for the port.

I hadn't forgotten, or forgiven, Colonel Mayfield for what he had said to Mrs. Forester about me. I knew he hadn't thought my plan a wise one, but to hear that he had described me as foolish behind my back set me on edge.

Mr. Appleton sent a glance at me. "What I said earlier remains true. Details will be revealed at the inquest. I do have a strong suspect, though."

With a great deal of effort, I didn't react as I accepted a glass of port. He could mean any other person in Bath. There was no reason to suspect he meant my friend.

"Sir, I am concerned about my sister," Forester said seriously. "She is determined to have her way. If I should warn her off, you must tell me straight away. Would you not wish the same for your own sister?"

Visibly, Appleton hesitated. "I have found that a woman will have her way no matter what family may advise. Do you think an elopement likely?"

Forester winced. "With Sarah's temperament? I really cannot say what she may do if she gets something in her head. She's generally an obedient daughter but she's been away from our parents for several weeks and has not been listening to me."

"Ward would not do anything so shady," I said firmly. Both men turned toward me. "He is an honorable man, far more than either of you give him credit for. He did not kill Ingram and he would not run away with Miss Forester no matter how much she may have set her heart on it."

"What did he do to earn such loyalty from you?" Forester asked.

"He stood by me when the man I thought my closest friend would not. When my family thought the worst of me, Ward was the one to step forward and say I was not guilty of the crime they suspected." I stared at them, unwilling to back down on this. "I may not know every detail from his past, and only know him for a few months, but he is a right one. Make no mistake about it. Anyone who says any different will have to answer to me."

It was a pretty speech, and I meant every word. Forester dropped his gaze first. "What if you do not know him as well as you think you do?" Appleton asked.

"I do not believe him capable of murder."

"That isn't what I asked."

"It is the only answer you will get." My fingers had tightened on my glass and I forced myself to relax. "He warned me away from Ingram and gave me a good reason to do so. And before you ask, those reasons are private and I shan't divulge them. Were he to have designs to murder Ingram, I believe he would have had them years ago."

"Revenge, as they say, is best served cold."

Clenching my teeth, I shook my head. I hadn't helped matters. "I will stand by Ward through this and any other accusation that may come his way," I said as calmly as I could. "He and I shall be neighbors, you know. His estate is a mere half-hour from mine. I cannot imagine a better neighbor to have."

"He has an estate?" Forester asked in surprise. "Since when?"

"Since he inherited it when his father died." I sipped the port without really tasting it. "But enough about the friendship between myself and Ward. Has anyone had the latest news from London?"

Colonel Mayfield cleared his throat and launched into a monologue about the political discussions of the moment. Appleton held my gaze for a moment longer before turning away. It was impossible to know what was going on in his head.