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A brief silence fell between them, the question hanging in the air.

Who attacked me?

“I did not quite get a good look at him,” Ava said. “However, I noticed that his clothes were filthy. He looked like one of those scoundrels one would see out on the streets.”

“Is that so?” Edwin asked, his brow furrowed. “Perhaps he is a thief.”

Ava shook her head. “A thief would not sneak into Wellington’s estate when a ball is in full swing. Thiefs would simply lurk by the driveway and rob anyone unlucky enough to fall into their trap. They would never risk being caught by coming to what is perhaps the biggest ball of the Season. There is a reason he came, and I can only assume that it was to hurt you.”

“Are you saying he came to the estate specifically because of me?” Edwin asked.

“I know it is quite unlikely, but I must ask, do you perhaps have any business with dangerous people?” Ava asked.

Edwin shook his head fervently. “Never. I only do business with respectable noblemen and merchants. If any o…” he trailed off as he suddenly came to a realization. “What if the man did not attack me because he holds a grudge against me?”

Ava’s brow creased in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“What if he was paid by someone who feels insulted by me?” Edwin asked.

Ava nodded after a pause. “That seems quite plausible. And the man who paid him must have had him stake out the estate, since he knew you would attend the ball.”

Edwin’s earlier confusion morphed into anger.

Who could have paid to have me attacked? And in the presence of my wife, no less.

He could not even bear to think of what might have happened if he had not pushed Ava behind him. His blood boiled as the danger his wife had been in fully sank in. What if it was Ava who was stabbed in the hand? Worse, what if the man had stabbed her fatally?

Edwin was incensed. He winced when he raised his injured hand to rake it through his hair.

“Just stay still,” Ava urged, taking his hand and cradling it in hers.

“Whoever it was, he must pay,” Edwin bit out.

“Do you have an idea who might despise you enough to pay to have you killed?” Ava asked.

“If we are talking about people who despise me, then that might as well be half of the ton,” Edwin scoffed.

The ton had never hidden their dislike of him. It was in the whispers that followed him, in the way they called him a beast when they thought he could not hear, and in the salacious rumors they spread about him.

“No.” Ava shook her head. “No one would pay to have another man killed simply out of hatred. It must be someone who despises you for a graver reason. That is the only reason anyone would do such a thing.”

“I have been a fair businessman. I do not suppose anyone would have a score to settle with me.”

The carriage lurched to a stop.

“Finally! We are home,” Ava sighed.

Edwin got out of the carriage, but not without some difficulty. He had scarcely entered his chamber when his wife followed, a bag in her hand.

She then began to fuss over him.

“Give me your hand,” she instructed.

Edwin pulled his hand behind his back. “It is only a small wound. I am certain it will heal all by itself.”

“Edwin!” Ava hissed.

The severe look on her face told him she would brook no argument, so he obliged.