Page 86 of Not a Fine Gentleman

Chapter 24

Connor glared at the newspaper headline that read “Lord Hennessy’s Murderer Still at Large” followed by an explanation that the law no longer considered Lady Hennessy a suspect. It went on to suggest that she might have been exonerated merely because she was born the daughter of an earl and was sister to the popular current Earl of Tarrington.

Connor threw the newspaper into the struggling fire in the hearth. One article managed to ruin everything. First, the mastermind behind Hennessy’s murder knew to be on his guard. As long as Margaret had been under suspicion, there had been hope that the killer would grow careless and leave a clue. The trail that might have led Connor to the killer would now become even more buried. He could only hope the hired killer’s death would give the mastermind a sense of security.

Second, thanks to that paper, all of society would whisper about Margaret behind their hands and quite possibly shun her. She might not ever live a normal life.

The fire consumed the newspaper and turned it to ash.

What was he missing? He had questioned all the servants at the Hennessy home as well as all the neighbors and even his street contact. No one knew anything helpful. What else might he do?

Perhaps the new Lord Hennessy knew who his brother’s enemies might be.

Connor presented himself at Hennessy’s townhome, into which the brother of the murdered lord had moved a mere week after the funeral. He’d certainly not wasted any time assuming every privilege associated with the title.

Following the butler, Gibbs, he entered a study decorated entirely in green and gold. A man with a thin, angular face and an aquiline nose, who bore a faint resemblance to portraits of the late Lord Hennessy, sat at a desk pouring over a ledger. His all-black mourning attire contrasted with the opulent surroundings. Lord Hennessy made no move to look up or acknowledge Connor even after the butler announced him. Stuffing down his irritation, Connor waited.

Finally, Lord Hennessy looked up. “State your business.”

Connor tried for a conciliatory gesture. “My condolences on the death of your brother.”

Lord Hennessy blinked at him.

No small talk. Right, then. “I’ve been assigned to re-examine the case and need to ask you a few questions. Did your brother have any enemies? Anyone who might wish him harm?”

“Just his wife. She’s a harridan. Throw her in prison.”

Connor’s hackles raised at the unfair and inaccurate description of Meg. Evenly, he said, “She’s been cleared of all suspicion.”

“No one else wished him harm. He was an amiable man. She killed him; I’m certain of it.”

“The magistrate has ruled. Are you sure no one was at odds with your brother or held a grudge—a strained friendship, unpaid gambling debts, anything?”

A dark laugh came in reply. “Not unless one of his lovers’ husbands took exception. But he was discreet with married women; he was only open with his mistresses.”

Perfect. A real paragon with possibly multiple enemies if he was less discreet than his brother believed. The snake didn’t deserve Meg. “Was he involved in any business ventures? A partner?”

“Not that I know of.” Lord Hennessy gestured to a ledger. “I’m still trying to make sense of the books.”

“I understand he may have been friends with his neighbor, Mr. Finch. Do you know anything of him?”

“I seem to recall him saying something about Finch having connections to a diamond mine.” He frowned. “You should tell your magistrate he made a mistake. My brother was murdered by his wife, and I will not be satisfied until that woman is behind bars.”

Connor tried not to let out a snort. “I’ll pass on your message.”

The more Connor learned about the late Lord Hennessy, the less he cared the man had been murdered. If nothing else, Margaret was free from the cretin. But if the killer believed Margaret a threat, Connor must discover and apprehend him before he harmed her.

In the Hennessys’ kitchen, Connor eyed the array of servants who’d gathered on his order. The butler, Gibbs, scowled, probably due to the interruption of his staff, or perhaps because he still maintained that Lady Hennessy was guilty, and Connor was foolish to search for another suspect.

Connor held up the picture of the man Margaret had drawn. “Did any of you see this man on the night that Lord Hennessy was murdered?”

The butler barely glanced at the drawing and folded his arms. “This is a waste of time.”

The scullery maid peered at the drawing. “Oi, I think ’e’s the one what came in for that late delivery.”

Connor stepped closer to the girl to let her get a better look as well as to shield her from the glare Gibbs shot at her. He pointed to the picture. “This man?”

She scrunched up her face. “Yeah, yeah, I fink so.”