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

Chapter Twenty-One

Come morning, Pennyworth reported to me that Ward had refused assistance. It seemed my friend had been serious about wishing to be left alone. I couldn't even imagine how much he'd drunk the night before.

If his head was causing him pain, it must have ached even more when Appleton arrived to speak to us both. "Mr. Conrad Ingram's inquest is tomorrow," the man said with a slight smile. The expression made me uneasy. "You both are asked to attend and give evidence."

"Evidence?" I repeated. "We weren't there. What kind of evidence could we possibly give that would be helpful?"

"So you say. Still, you—" Appleton looked pointedly at Ward at this point—"were among the last to see him. The groom at the stable told me you had an altercation with Ingram hours before he was murdered. I think that is something a jury will be very interested to hear."

Oh. Why had I forgotten that? How had I forgotten that? "And?" Ward said, his tone weary. "He insulted me, and I responded the only honorable way available to me. That was the end of the matter."

"Mm. So you say."

Could he think of nothing else to say? And I thought the man aggravating before! He wore smugness like it was a badge of honor. I could almost hate the man.

"We do say," I said firmly. "Very well. We are at your disposal and shall be at your inquest. Was there something else you wanted to tell us?"

Appleton's smile vanished. "Don't try to leave Bath."

"Yes, you've said that before. We've not gone anywhere."

The man's jaw clenched and he made a brief bow before he left. "I need a drink," Ward said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"After last night? You think that wise?"

"I said a need a drink, not that I am going to go in search of the first bottle I can find," he said sharply. "I know I need to keep my wits about me. I am hoping for a letter from my solicitor with some advice for me. I do wish he were here."

Now that was something I should have done myself. "I'm afraid I don't have a solicitor to turn to," I said with a sigh. "Though I ought to have thought to contact my father's. I cannot even imagine how long it would take for my father to learn of this if I had, though. So maybe it is for the best."

"What? Your valet hasn't ventured an opinion or guided you to make your own choice?"

"No." I hadn't mentioned it so how could Pennyworth have offered advice? I'd be a bit wary if he had. "Oh. Since you are sober and upright, I was tasked to give you this from a certain young lady."

I handed him the note from Miss Forester. "She ought to have known better," he said, staring at the paper. "Sending any kind of correspondence to a gentleman one is not engaged to can lead to a lady's reputation being tarnished."

"Well, I have no intention of telling anyone, and I don't think she does either." I gestured to it. "Go ahead and read it. She went to a lot of effort to get it to you."

He shot me a glare as he unfolded it. I turned my gaze to the wall. Watching him read the note seemed too personal, for some reason. I was curious about what Miss Forester had thought so urgent she couldn't wait to tell him in person.

Ward gave a laugh. "I don't believe it. Fool, stubborn girl."

I glanced over. "Dare I ask what's wrong?"

"She says she accepts my proposal."

Proposal? Ward had proposed? On the picnic when he'd divulged all of his past to her? "I didn't know you had asked for her hand in marriage," I said when I managed to find my voice. "Congratulations, Ward. She's a lovely lady. I wish you both happy."