When it came to it, while she hoped she’d guessed correctly, she had no guarantee as to how he would behave.
She shifted on the hard wrought-iron seat, then settled again, doing her best to project an air of calm assurance.
She’d arrived at Patchcote Grange believing that, once she’d met Richard Percival, it was highly unlikely that she would want to encourage the connection. She’d imagined him as his reputation painted him—a hedonistic rake, albeit a discreet, handsome, elegant, and eligible one—and that was not at all what she wished for in a husband.
The events of the past two days had shown her a different man. One whom, possibly…
Rosalind glimpsed movement under the trees, then Richard strolled out of the shadows, and she felt a tiny yet undeniable thrill shiver through her.
As Richard approached the house, he looked ahead and saw Rosalind sitting on the terrace. Unexpectedly, his pulse skipped, then he realized her sister was sitting alongside her.
Keeping his stride slow and steady, he noted that both sisters were watching him with… Was it anticipation?
He focused on Rosalind, and as he neared the steps and she shifted forward, ready to stand, he realized she was waiting for him.
Specifically, him. For some purpose.
Instincts and intellect fully engaged, he went quickly up the steps and turned her way.
Both sisters rose, and he greeted them with a smile and an equable nod. “Ladies.”
Rosalind waved to the vacant chair at their table. “We were hoping you would join us.”
He didn’t need to be asked twice. Calmly, he drew out the chair, waited until the sisters subsided into theirs, then sat.
He didn’t miss Rosalind’s quick scan of the terrace before she said, “We have a situation with which we hope you’ll be willing to help us.”
She hadn’t said “able” but “willing.” He met her eyes. “Consider me entirely at your disposal.”
She searched his eyes, then exhaled. “Well, then. I’ve discovered a little more about what occurred yesterday morning. Before Monty was killed.”
Wholly focused on her, he nodded curtly. “Go on.”
She eyed him assessingly as she said, “It appears that our late host had a rather shocking secret life. As a blackmailer.”
He blinked slowly, then refocused on her face, her eyes, and confirmed she was deadly serious. Again, he simply said, “Go on.”
“We don’t know who else was a victim, but Monty had been blackmailing Regina since last summer.”
Richard shifted his gaze to the silent, younger sister. Her blush as she stared at her clasped hands was even more telling than her woebegone expression.
Despite the—entirely understandable—shock he felt at the news that Monty, of all men, had been blackmailing anyone, he didn’t for a second doubt Rosalind’s word. Or indeed, Regina’s. Slowly, he nodded, then returned his gaze to Rosalind’s fine eyes. “All right. Tell me the whole.”
Once he’d heard the full tale—and in truth, it all made terrible sense—he met Rosalind’s watchful gaze. After a moment, he admitted, “I confess I’m…flabbergasted.” He shook his head. “I don’t doubt your word”—he glanced at Regina—“either of you, but what Monty was doing is…a lot to take in.”
Rosalind leaned a trifle nearer. “We were hoping you might advise us as to what we should do.”
Instantly, he replied, “Trust me, the answer to that is exceedingly straightforward. You need to tell the investigatorsall you’ve told me and as soon as possible.” He met Rosalind’s eyes, then Regina’s, and the hesitation he saw prompted him to say, “I can vouch for their integrity and also their acuity.” He found a wry and, he hoped, reassuring smile. “I’m speaking from experience in saying that of all those who might have been sent to investigate this case, the Adairs and Stokes are the team you should most welcome. I can promise you they won’t leap to unwarranted conclusions, and they’ll do their level best to protect all those who are innocent of this crime.”
Rosalind looked reassured. “That’s quite a recommendation.”
He nodded. “And as I said, it’s drawn from personal experience.” He looked at Regina. “They are very good at what they do. Quite literally the best.”
Regina was still reluctant, but Rosalind leaned across and closed one of her hands over her sister’s tightly clasped ones. “You need to tell the investigators all you’ve told us.” She squeezed Regina’s hands encouragingly. “I’ll come with you.”
“I will, too.” Richard caught Regina’s startled gaze, pushed back his chair, and rose. “There’s nothing to fear in doing the right thing. And ask yourself this—if Monty Underhill was blackmailing you, who else was he blackmailing?”
That brought a slight frown to Regina’s face. Rosalind waited—hopeful but, Richard judged, too wise in the ways of her sister to prod.
