Page 84 of In Want of a Suspect

“Lizzie, only you would be disappointed by uncovering a smuggling ring,” Darcy said.

“Yes, because it’s not proof of treason,” she said with exasperation. “Although... good work, ladies.”

“Chin up,” Darcy said. “This is still more than enough to put those scoundrels downstairs away.”

“But why were we denied a search permit?” Lizzie asked. “The Crown has to suspect something here.”

“Perhaps they had their own investigation? Either that or Mullins is paying someone a large amount of money to look the other way—” He stopped speaking abruptly, and his mouth hardened into an unforgiving line. “Not Mullins. Tomlinson.”

Lizzie didn’t want Darcy to harden into the scary person he’d been downstairs, but she had to ask. “You don’t seem especially shocked to find him here.”

“I broke into his office this afternoon,” he said proudly.

“You didwhat?”

“Yes, right before I quit my job.”

Lizzie rubbed her temple. “I know I’ve hit my head, but did you just sayyou quit your job?”

He grinned. “That’s not the best part—I found proof that Leticia and Josette have a secret. Mrs. Cavendish wrote me aboutit. Only, I never got the letter because Tomlinson intercepted it.”

“What secret?” Lizzie demanded.

“Leticia and Josette are cousins, but Leticia isn’t related to Mrs. Cavendish at all—she’s entirely French. And before she died, it seemed that Mrs. Cavendish suspected that Leticia had a secret beau.”

Lizzie needed a moment to make sense of this new information. “Wait—are you saying that Mrs. Cavendish worried that Leticia couldn’t be trusted?”

“She didn’t say it in so many words, but she was worried that he’d find out Leticia’s secret and ruin Josette’s reputat—”

“Richard Hughes!” Lizzie spat out.

“What?”

“He gave Leticia the necklace, Darcy! At the jeweler’s—he got the locket to open! It said ‘to L.B.’—Leticia Beaufort,of course, he knew that she wasn’t a Cavendish—‘with all my love and adoration, R.H.’! The jeweler said the necklace was commissioned a year ago, but Mr. Hughes has neglected to pay for it!”

“But he’s engaged to Josette!” Darcy shook his head, and then stopped just as quickly. “Oh God.”

“What?”

“Leticia didn’t inherit a single penny from Mrs. Cavendish! It all went to Josette.”

“And so he threw Leticia over for her cousin?” Lizzie asked. “How... diabolical.”

“More likely for her cousin’s fortune,” Marianne said practically. “It was likely a plot to steal Josette’s fortune, if Leticia wasstill wearing his token of affection. And perhaps Mr. Hughes decided he didn’t want to share with Leticia after all.”

“Oh, you’re able to follow all of this?” Mr. Brandon asked Marianne.

“Yes, darling, I’ll explain it all later,” she said, patting his shoulder fondly. “Now, in case you’ve forgotten, we’ve got three of those villains tied up downstairs. We could ask them a few questions, if that would help?”

“Right,” Lizzie said, with one last glance at the French contraband. “I suppose the least Jack Mullins owes us is the truth.”

Downstairs, Tomlinson was still unconscious, but Jack and Parry were very much alert and glaring at Mr. Farrows. Jack began to struggle against his bonds when Lizzie approached. She held up her hand, and he stopped. “I’m going to remove your gag, and then we’ll have a civilized conversation. But if you scream or tell me a single lie, I’ll have this gentleman gag you once more. Fair enough?”

Jack nodded eagerly.

Lizzie unknotted the gag, and as soon as it fell away, Jack began speaking. “Lizzie, you have to believe me—I never had any part of this! I never meant for anyone to get hurt!”

Lizzie held up a finger, and to her surprise, Jack quieted. “Did you know about this plot when you hired me?”