yard.” Digsby’s manner remained calm and collected, as if the subject was of no more concern than the weather. “There is an area directly beneath the library window where the bushes were pushed aside and the undergrowth trampled. We found more than a score of these, but as they were all the same I brought only the largest.”
Remmington accepted the stub of a cheroot from Digsby’s extended hand, then held the half-smoked cigar to the light for closer examination. He passed the object under his nose and remarked absently, “Expensive.” He held the cheroot up for Crofford’s inspection. “I don’t know about you, sir, but I can only smoke two of these in a night. Actually, one is more than enough. It would appear the culprit was at your house several times. It would account for his knowledge of your staff, though not entirely. Whoever he is, the man is thorough.”
“He is a murderer!” Crofford declared, his hands balled into fists. “I will not sleep until he is locked away. My daughter will never be safe until then.”
“I fear you are right.” Remmington’s expression turned grim. “Unfortunately, it seems he is rather clever as well.”
“Clever or not, I will see him caught and hung for his crimes.” Crofford looked from Harry to Remmington. “I can never thank both of you enough for what you have done tonight. When I think of Lily alone on the streets, after what she’d faced in her own home… He could have killed us all. Trussed up helpless as rabbits, he could have slit every one of our throats.”
“Your lives were in danger,” Remmington agreed. A muscle in his jaw tightened as he looked from Crofford to his daughter. Lily still looked badly shaken. “We are just glad we could be of service.”
“I’ll have extra men brought up from Crofford Hills,” the earl announced, with a nod that seemed to agree with his decision. He propped his elbow on the arm of his chair and raked a hand through his hair. “Your assistance tonight is much appreciated, Your Grace. And yours as well, Lord Gordon. I am in both your debts and would be even more so if I could impose upon you to keep this matter as quiet as possible. The scandal would be quite embarrassing, don’t you know.”
“Of course,” Harry answered. “You have my word on the matter, sir.”
“And mine,” Remmington added. “Rest assured that none shall hear a word of the incident from my men, either. They can be trusted to hold their silence.”
“Appreciate that.” Crofford nodded gravely.
“Would you like my men to stay until your staff arrives from Crofford Hills?” Remmington offered. His gaze rested briefly on Lily. He could feel their time together drawing to an end. He didn’t want to leave her, but she was with her family now. He had no right to stay.
“I don’t worry about that madman attacking in broad daylight,” Crofford began. “But I would rest considerably easier if your men wouldn’t mind hanging about till dawn.”
“I’ll inform Digsby of the arrangement. Just let him know when they’re no longer needed. He and the other men can return in my traveling coach.”
A short, uncomfortable silence passed as everyone realized the immediate danger was over. There was no longer a need for Remmington and Harry to remain at Crofford House. Harry cleared his throat, then found a grim smile as he swung his greatcoat over his shoulders.
“I say, Remmington. We should be off and
let
these people get their rest. Been a rather eventful night for all of us.”
Remmington nodded, but his eyes remained on Lily. “You are sure you will be all right?” He meant the question for Lily, but it was Crofford who answered.
“Quite fine, thanks to your help, Your Grace, and yours, Lord Gordon.” Crofford patted his daughter’s shoulder, then rose from his seat and escorted the men to the door. “If there’s ever anything I can do to repay you, anything at all, please do not hesitate to let me know.”
Remmington accepted the stub of a cheroot from Digsby’s extended hand, then held the half-smoked cigar to the light for closer examination. He passed the object under his nose and remarked absently, “Expensive.” He held the cheroot up for Crofford’s inspection. “I don’t know about you, sir, but I can only smoke two of these in a night. Actually, one is more than enough. It would appear the culprit was at your house several times. It would account for his knowledge of your staff, though not entirely. Whoever he is, the man is thorough.”
“He is a murderer!” Crofford declared, his hands balled into fists. “I will not sleep until he is locked away. My daughter will never be safe until then.”
“I fear you are right.” Remmington’s expression turned grim. “Unfortunately, it seems he is rather clever as well.”
“Clever or not, I will see him caught and hung for his crimes.” Crofford looked from Harry to Remmington. “I can never thank both of you enough for what you have done tonight. When I think of Lily alone on the streets, after what she’d faced in her own home… He could have killed us all. Trussed up helpless as rabbits, he could have slit every one of our throats.”
“Your lives were in danger,” Remmington agreed. A muscle in his jaw tightened as he looked from Crofford to his daughter. Lily still looked badly shaken. “We are just glad we could be of service.”
“I’ll have extra men brought up from Crofford Hills,” the earl announced, with a nod that seemed to agree with his decision. He propped his elbow on the arm of his chair and raked a hand through his hair. “Your assistance tonight is much appreciated, Your Grace. And yours as well, Lord Gordon. I am in both your debts and would be even more so if I could impose upon you to keep this matter as quiet as possible. The scandal would be quite embarrassing, don’t you know.”
“Of course,” Harry answered. “You have my word on the matter, sir.”
“And mine,” Remmington added. “Rest assured that none shall hear a word of the incident from my men, either. They can be trusted to hold their silence.”
“Appreciate that.” Crofford nodded gravely.
“Would you like my men to stay until your staff arrives from Crofford Hills?” Remmington offered. His gaze rested briefly on Lily. He could feel their time together drawing to an end. He didn’t want to leave her, but she was with her family now. He had no right to stay.
“I don’t worry about that madman attacking in broad daylight,” Crofford began. “But I would rest considerably easier if your men wouldn’t mind hanging about till dawn.”
“I’ll inform Digsby of the arrangement. Just let him know when they’re no longer needed. He and the other men can return in my traveling coach.”
A short, uncomfortable silence passed as everyone realized the immediate danger was over. There was no longer a need for Remmington and Harry to remain at Crofford House. Harry cleared his throat, then found a grim smile as he swung his greatcoat over his shoulders.
“I say, Remmington. We should be off and
let
these people get their rest. Been a rather eventful night for all of us.”
Remmington nodded, but his eyes remained on Lily. “You are sure you will be all right?” He meant the question for Lily, but it was Crofford who answered.
“Quite fine, thanks to your help, Your Grace, and yours, Lord Gordon.” Crofford patted his daughter’s shoulder, then rose from his seat and escorted the men to the door. “If there’s ever anything I can do to repay you, anything at all, please do not hesitate to let me know.”
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