Hugh took a step forward. “She’s no wife of yours, you snivelling coward. Nor will she ever be, no matter what wickedness you have planned for her.” He turned to the constable, who looked from one to the other of the gentlemen, his face purple from the struggle to understand the situation. “Constable. There is more to this story than you know. With your permission, let us be seated like sensible beings and discuss this tangle. But first, we need to make sure that this devil cannot escape.”

The constable scratched his head. “Well, I can’t say as I understand any of this, but there’s a complaint been made against you, Lord Thatcham, so I must take you back into custody until that complaint has been answered. The magistrate is on his way here. Your solicitor arranged for me to come first, once he read your note giving the particulars of this ’ere address.” As he spoke, he loosened the bandages that secured Muldrow’s arms.

“Oh!” Muldrow’s face creased in fury. “So that’s your idea of justice—to bring out one of Thatcham’s old friends.” Naked hatred flashed in the man’s eyes. His cheeks reddened and his breath heaved. He cast a look of sheer malevolence at Hugh and clenched his fists.

The constable took his arm. “Now then, sir, let’s wait until the magistrate arrives, shall we?”

Muldrow shook him off. “Get out of my house, all of you. I’ll see you dead, Thatcham, and I hope it’s on the gallows, though no doubt your friends will ensure you escape.” He took a step forward, his face close to Hugh’s. “You have always believed yourself to be so much better than me, with your Hall and your land and your riches.”

Hugh looked into the red-rimmed eyes and feared for Muldrow’s sanity.

“Things didn’t work out so well with that little wife of yours, did they?” Muldrow said. Hugh stiffened. “Did she tell you how she came to me? Oh yes, she had had enough of you, and Thatcham Hall. She cared nothing for you.” In the sudden silence, a clock ticked. Muldrow grinned.

Hugh spoke at last. “You are the scum of the earth, Muldrow. By your own admission, you attempted to steal my wife. I should have killed you last year when Lady Beatrice died on the way to be with you.” Hugh spoke the words that had never before passed his lips. “Just tell me, you villain, was it an accident, or did you scare her horse deliberately, knowing she was a timid rider?”

Muldrow’s teeth showed as his lips pulled back in a grimace of vulpine pleasure.