Murder in St. Giles Read online

  Murder in St. Giles

  Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, Book 13

  Ashley Gardner

  Jennifer Ashley

  JA / AG Publishing

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Author’s Note

  Also by Ashley Gardner

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  London, 1819

  I entered the house on South Audley Street one early April morning to hear my wife shouting.

  I paused in disquiet. My wife—Donata, the former Lady Breckenridge—shouted at no one but me. Indeed, she enjoyed our occasional spirited quarrels, her voice rising in volume to match mine.

  With all other mortals, she was as cool as a winter icicle. Any who displeased her were shown the door by Barnstable, her equally cool butler.

  That her voice rang down from the upper floors, this early in the day—I was returning from my morning ride—worried me greatly.

  “Who the devil is here?” I asked Barnstable, who’d come off the stairs as a footman took my hat. My concern was mirrored in Barnstable’s brown eyes.

  “Her cousins, sir,” Barnstable said. “That is, Mr. St. John, a cousin of the late Lord Breckenridge, and Mr. Phillips, the cousin of her ladyship. They arrived shortly after you departed. They came unannounced,” he finished in a chilly tone.

  Timed well, then. They’d meant to corner Donata alone.

  I tossed my coat over the footman’s arm as I moved to the stairs. “A pity I decided to return early,” I said, and I saw a gleam of satisfaction in Barnstable’s eyes.

  He stepped aside as I made my way up the staircase to the first floor of our elegant home. Though I was technically the man of the house, as had been Lord Breckenridge before me, this abode showed Donata’s touch, her hand, her personality. Its male inhabitants only lived here.

  I heard my wife’s voice coming from a reception room tucked behind the stairs, a chamber in which guests waited before being shown into the grand drawing room in the front of the house. Her reception room was more comfortable than most, with soft chairs, pleasant paintings of flowers, and a few books left about for her waiting callers.

  However, Donata coming to the reception room to see these cousins instead of having Barnstable or a footman show them into the drawing room spoke loudly of her disapprobation. She likely hadn’t felt she could turn away her kin, but she could make certain they knew they weren’t welcome.

  I opened the door without knocking—I lived here after all—in time to hear Donata say, “If either of you touch him, I will shoot you.”

  “Now,” came a voice that chilled me. “Don’t be unreasonable, woman. You know his father wanted this.”

  “Then he’d have said so in his will. I read every word of that document, and it mentioned nothing of giving him to you.”

  “Donata.” The thinner voice of the pair spoke placatingly. “St. John is only looking after your happiness.”

  “Happiness?” Donata spat the word. “You do not have any—”

  I cut through her fury by putting myself between her and the two men facing her. I gave them my best regimental captain glare.

  “Explain, sirs, why you have forced your way into our house and are badgering my wife.”

  The reedy-voiced gentleman was Edwin Phillips, Donata’s cousin, son of her father’s sister. He had dark hair receding far up his forehead, though he was only thirty, and watchful blue eyes in a narrow face. He’d wanted to marry Donata and hated me for cutting him out. Not that she’d had any intention of accepting him.

  The second man was unknown to me, and it was his voice that had unnerved me so. The sound of it was very close to that of the late Lord Breckenridge, Donata’s unlamented husband.

  The man resembled Breckenridge as well, large and thick of body but tall, and only some of that thickness was fat. He had a broad face, sharp nose, and flat brown eyes. Like Breckenridge, he had little hair on top of his head but a thickness of it in the back. He sported full sideburns that had been trimmed to halt just shy of his jaw.

  I hadn’t met this man in the year I’d been married to Donata, and she rarely spoke of the Breckenridge side of the family. She’d told me about the two gentlemen she called Romulus and Remus, who were first cousins to her son, Peter, but I had seen them at a distance, and this gentleman was neither of those.

  The Breckenridge cousin turned a cold eye to me. “This is not your business, sir.”

  He expected me to grovel before my betters, I could see. I rarely groveled, however, and I did not consider the cousin of a peer to be my better.

  “Mrs. Lacey is my wife, and therefore it is my business,” I stated.

  Donata stepped beside me. She did not look at me, but I sensed her gratitude that I hadn’t simply closed the door and left her to it, nor immediately knocked the two men to the carpet.

  “Cousin Edwin and Cousin Stanton believe that Peter will be better off living in Somerset with the St. John family,” she said coldly. “I am certain that would only be a short stay before Stanton moves into the Breckenridge estate to ensure that all is well for Peter to take over at his majority.” Her voice cut like a whiplash, but the dark curls that trickled to her shoulders trembled.

  A chill cut through my anger. This man, Stanton St. John, was several places removed from inheriting the viscountcy, but life was uncertain, and Romulus and Remus, the two rakehell cousins between him and Peter, could any time expire from disease, dissipation, drink, or wrecking their phaetons racing to Brighton.

  Peter, Donata’s son from her first marriage, was seven years old. While Peter was robust, many children did not live to see adulthood, a fact that had Donata keeping Peter close to home or well guarded by her parents in Oxfordshire.

  I could see in Stanton’s eyes the frustration about the gap between him and the Breckenridge fortune and title—a gap filled by two fops and a little boy. But if Peter were to fall from a horse while galloping across the Breckenridge lands … Well then, one less person in his way.

  I let my gaze harden. Stanton stared right back at me, knowing I understood him. But I also caught a hint of smugness, a look that said I would not have the last word in this debate.

  “This house is Mrs. Lacey’s to use for her lifetime,” I said. “According to the settlements made by her husband.”

  “Yes,” Stanton admitted reluctantly. His eyes darted to the fine paintings on the walls and the silver objet d’art, his look covetous.

  “As mistress of the house, she can admit or deny whomever she wishes,” I went on. “As her husband, I can also say who enters and whom the butler should eject. In other words, gentlemen, you may take your leave. Now, if you please.”

  I noted no argument from the woman standing next to me. Her jaw was rigid, her dark blue eyes tight.

  She made a stiff nod to her cousins. “Good day, gentlemen.”

  “Now, Donata,
” her cousin Edwin began. “He means only the best for young Peter.”

  “Good day,” Donata repeated, a bit more firmly. “Barnstable will show you out.”

  With that, she turned her back on them and glided from the room. The door opened for her, one of her footmen always ready. My wife never touched a door handle in her own house if she did not wish it.

  Donata walked with her head high, her step even and dignified. The discreet footman shut the door but not all the way—the latch did not catch.

  This left me alone with Donata’s male relatives, neither of whom liked me. Edwin had made it immediately clear how put out he was because Donata had chosen to marry me. He’d imagined himself as stepfather to a viscount and son-in-law to an earl.

  Though I’d never met Stanton St. John, his dislike for me wafted from him like cloying perfume. While I had no legal power over Peter, I did have influence, and I now considered myself his father. I could see in the back of Stanton’s dark eyes how much that rankled.

  “Captain Lacey,” Edwin said. “Surely you can understand that Mr. St. John is correct. The place for Peter is with his family.”

  “I must wonder how you stand to gain from this,” I returned bluntly. “If Peter lives with Mr. St. John, surely that puts him out of your reach.”

  Edwin’s cheeks went scarlet. I wondered whether Stanton had offered him money or perhaps access to Peter if he helped with his petition. Their idea, I supposed, was that Peter would grow dependent upon his two cousins and be manipulated into granting them favors—gifts, position, power—in gratitude.

  I read this in Edwin’s flush, though Stanton looked flinty. I had to wonder how quickly Stanton would cut Edwin out of the bargain.

  I leaned on my walking stick. “I have a rather large valet who aspires to be a pugilist,” I said. “And another man who styles himself as my guard, who actually was a pugilist. I can call them to help me show you the door if you wish. One is young and vigorous, the other quite a skilled fighter. Within this house, they answer only to me.”

  Edwin looked worried, but Stanton’s scowl deepened. “Keep your dogs contained,” he said. “It will make no difference whether I am admitted to the house or not, Captain. Lady Breckenridge will receive letters about the matter, as I am certain she realizes. Good morning.”

  I stepped aside as he strode to the door, which silently swung wide for him. Bartholomew, the tall, well-muscled young man I’d threatened him with, was on the other side.

  Bartholomew glanced at me, his eagerness unmistakable—he had pitched unwanted visitors to the pavement before. I gave my head the slightest shake, and Bartholomew withdrew, looking disappointed.

  Edwin hastened after Stanton. I followed him, Bartholomew silently falling into step behind me.

  When Stanton reached the bottom of the stairs, a footman handed him his coat, another positioning himself with Edwin’s. Barnstable, stationed at the front door, gave them his butler’s bow.

  “Good day, gentlemen,” he said.

  A carriage had already halted at the doorstep. Stanton climbed into it, barely waiting for Edwin to more clumsily ascend before the coach jerked forward.

  Barnstable closed the front door. He looked up at me standing on the first landing, inquiring without words if he could assist.

  I shook my head, told Bartholomew to go about his business, and turned to seek Donata.

  Before I could set foot on the next flight of stairs, a commotion sounded beneath me. I heard the imploring voice of a footman, shocked into dropping his trained tones—“’Ere. You ain’t allowed …”

  A large man pushed his way past the servants trying to stop him emerging from the backstairs. He was Brewster, the former pugilist and thief who acted as my bodyguard, the second man I’d threatened Stanton with.

  Brewster sent a grim look up to me. “You need to come, guv. My missus sent me to fetch you.”

  Chapter 2

  Is Mrs. Brewster all right?” I asked in alarm. I’d met Em Brewster several times now—she and Brewster lived in St. Giles, a corner of London rife with violence.

  Brewster crushed his hat in his big hands, the only movement in his otherwise still body. His eyes betrayed his agitation, his face tight.

  “Nothing wrong with her,” Brewster said. “Bloke’s been killed.”

  The answer both brought me relief and more worry. Men were killed in London every day, unfortunately—in accidents, while fighting—but there must be a reason Mrs. Brewster had sent her husband across London to summon me about this one.

  “Damnation.” I glanced up the stairs where Donata had fled. “Can you wait a moment?”

  Brewster shook his head. “No, guv. I can’t.”

  The blunt statement made me wonder still more, but I was not heartless enough to race away from Donata when the welfare of her son was at stake.

  “Return to Mrs. Brewster,” I said firmly. “I will be there as soon as I am able.”

  Before Brewster could object, I continued up the stairs.

  I found Donata in her boudoir, at her window. Its pale draperies admitted light to touch the gold and white carpet, marble mantelpiece, brocade sofa and chaise, and paintings in gilded frames.

  This feminine retreat had recently been invaded by masculinity in the form of my newspapers and a decanter of brandy, which reposed on a demi-lune table beneath a painting of a lavish country house, complete with horses.

  Donata stood with her back to me, but I knew by the way she held herself that she’d heard me enter and close the door. Before I could think of words to ease her, she swung around, her eyes glittering with tears.

  “They can do it, Gabriel. They can take Peter from me.”

  “No,” I said at once.

  Donata did not rush into my arms and beg for me to make everything better. She was not that sort of woman. She remained by the window, her face as pale as the curtains.

  “Of course they can,” she said in a brittle voice. “A woman is not related to her own son, did you not know? I am only the vessel for the man’s seed. I believe that to be absolute nonsense, but it is the law.”

  “Lord Breckenridge named you guardian, did he not?” I pointed out. “The wording of his will should prevail.”

  Donata nodded glumly. “As awful as he was, even Breckenridge was wise enough not to trust his own family. Stanton is a greedy, foul man, and I never let Peter anywhere near him.”

  “Then there will be nothing he can do. Breckenridge stated his wishes, and that is final.”

  “Do not try to comfort me, Gabriel. You know Stanton could find an excellent solicitor—could use Breckenridge’s own solicitor—to find chinks in the will and overturn my guardianship. Perhaps he could not have when I was simply Breckenridge’s widow, but now that I’ve wed a nobody who married me to get his hands on the family silver, my judgment cannot be trusted.”

  I did not grow offended—Donata only repeated the well-known gossip that circulated about me.

  I apparently had charmed my way into Donata’s bedchamber so that I could take my ease, spend all her money, and influence her son into giving me a sinecure when he was older so I could continue my profligate life.

  “You also have solicitors,” I said. “Some of the best in England, who will countermand anything Stanton can suggest. Take comfort in that, if you will not from me.”

  Donata remained rigid. “And perhaps these excellent men of the law will advise me to do what Stanton wants. After all, a boy should be raised by gentlemen, not soft women. Peter’s first cousins are far too reckless, of course, but second cousin Stanton is older and more dependable. My solicitors did not think me wise to marry you, Gabriel—I had to persuade them I wouldn’t do anything so foolish as give you all my income before they’d grudgingly set up an allowance for you.”

  The extent of the money that trickled to me for clothing and sundries made me a bit nonplussed, but I made myself feel better by being frugal with it.

  I went to her but did not reach
for her. “Sending Peter off with a man who so obviously wishes to control the viscountcy will not please your solicitors either, I think. I will not let it happen, Donata. Peter will remain with you—with us—and out of reach of your repugnant cousins.”

  “I am pleased with your optimism,” she bit out. “Forgive me if I do not share it.” She jerked her attention behind me, her brows lowering to a scowl. “Yes, Bartholomew, what is it?”

  Bartholomew, who had quietly opened the door, remained there, his tall body stiff in his dark suit. Donata was usually calm and polite with her servants, and Bartholomew blinked a moment at her waspish tone.

  “Begging your pardon, my lady,” he said. “Captain. Mr. Brewster has planted himself at the foot of the stairs and refuses to move.”

  Donata’s mouth pinched. “Has he come to fetch the captain for another mission Mr. Denis won’t soil his hands with?”

  I answered. “Brewster’s wife wishes to speak with me. Trouble in St. Giles.”

  “Is there?” Donata blinked back tears, reaching for her usual coolness. “Hardly surprising. You’d better go, Gabriel. Mrs. Brewster would not summon you for a trifle.” She pinned me with a sharp look. “But you will tell me every word of what you find when you return, no matter how sordid the tale.”

  “Of course.” I gave her a bow. “I hope it is a trifle, and Brewster is making much of nothing.”

  I spoke lightly, but I knew Brewster would not have rushed to me, tense and drawn, if the matter could be easily resolved.