“Hmm.” Robert glanced to Freddy’s body. “Well, that is one problem taken care of anyway. The blackmail threat is over.”

“Now we just need to figure out who poisoned George and is still trying to kill Richard,” Daniel agreed dryly.

Robert frowned and shook his head. “Well, I’m afraid Lisa and I didn’t find out anything of use today. I think people were reluctant to gossip about you with Lisa there. She is your sister-in-law, after all . Perhaps Christiana and Suzette were more successful at discovering what servant may have administered the poison.”

“We should ask them,” Richard murmured and turned to find that Christiana and her father were gone. “Where—”

“Father wished to speak to Christiana. They have stepped out into the garden,” Suzette explained before he could finish his question.

Richard glanced toward the French doors, spotting the two at the back of the garden, their heads together. Before he could decide whether to intrude or wait, the office door opened and Haversham led two men into the room; both wore the telltale red vest of Bow Street runners. The authorities had arrived.

“What is it, Father?” Christiana asked when he stopped walking but stared at his feet rather than bring up whatever it was he’d brought her outside to discuss. “If ’tis about this gambling business, you should know you didn’t do it. We think George as Dicky drugged you and—”

“Yes, I know, Suzette told me,” he interrupted, and then added, “I came here today to take you away.”

“Take me away?” she asked with surprise.

Lord Madison nodded. “Robert had written, telling me how unhappy you seemed in your marriage and how Dicky treated you. It was why I came to London in the first place. I told the gels I needed to see the lawyer, but truly I was coming to see you.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, hugging him tightly.

Lord Madison hugged her back and said, “I can still take you away.”

Startled, Christiana pulled back to peer at him. “Has no one explained that George was Dicky and now I am married to Richard, the true—”

“Yes,” he said solemnly, cutting her off. “Robert explained everything. He also said that Richard was a fine, honorable man who will treat you well and he hopes you will have a good life together. But you were tricked into marrying Dicky, and if you only married Richard to avoid scandal, I don’t want you to feel trapped into it.” He eyed her solemnly and then said, “Just say the word and I will take you home and we will figure out a way to get you out of this marriage.”

Her eyes widened incredulously. “Father, the scandal would—”

“Scandal be damned,” he growled. “We can weather that. ’Tis your happiness I care about, and the fact that your only protest is the possible scandal tells me you do not really wish to be in this marriage. Come.” He caught her hand and started to drag her toward the house. “We shall collect your sisters and head straight for home. I am done with this damned town.”