Page 55 of A Momentary Marriage

“I think we can exempt your mother.”

“One would hope.”

“But you left money for all the others. Even if it is in a trust, it would mean more money—and one could easily assume that the trustees might be easier to persuade than you.”

“Yes. The same would apply for Sir Laurence’s trust. If I am gone, it would fall to his attorney and our banker, with his friend Blankenship as the third trustee. Everyone knows Blankenship is a soft touch, and our banker is more or less putty in Mother’s hands. No doubt she could talk them into any idiotic thing Patricia or Walter wants.”

“Claude doesn’t receive money from it?”

“No. Claude got his share. He was already twenty-one, and he’s never been a spendthrift. Sir Laurence wanted to protect Patricia’s funds from Archie. Walter was still quite young, and money goes through Tessa’s hands like water. Those were his major concerns.”

“Does that mean that Walter will get his portion when he reaches a certain age?”

James nodded. “At twenty-one, he gets one third, another third at twenty-five, then the rest at thirty.”

“So he will be coming into money fairly soon. It would be easier, not to mention safer, to wait.”

“True. But Walter’s hallmark is his impulsivity. Maybe he’s too impatient to wait another year. Besides, the amount he receives at twenty-one is subject to the trustees’ approval. We have to agree that he’s mature enough to handle it.”

“Ah. He might fear you would withhold his money.”

“If he was smart, he would. I’ve had to buy him out of enough scrapes to harbor some doubts on the issue. Remember, Walter is the one who usually brought my tonic from the apothecary, so he had the best chance to doctor it.”

“Yes, but after he brought it home, it was sitting in the cabinet, where anyone could have added something to it. It’s hard for me to picture Walter wanting to do away with you. He was the most concerned about your health. He offered to help; he looked in on you frequently.”

“Maybe he wanted to make certain his scheme was working.” James grinned faintly at her frown. “However, I’m inclined to agree with you that Walter is not our villain. I don’t think he’d have the nerve.” He tilted his head. “Who would be your choice for the culprit?”

Laura’s response was immediate. “Mr. Salstone. He would control any money your sister inherits, wouldn’t he?”

“Ah, yes, the inimitable Archibald Salstone.” James’s narrow smile was a little chilling. “I’d like it to be Archie, too.” He toyed idly with the ruffle that ran around the hem of her skirt. Laura was tinglingly aware of his fingers, so close to her leg yet not touching her. “I would wager his dislike of me outstrips even Claude’s. And because of our dear Archie, Patricia’s trust was set up not to ever distribute the principal to her. It will continue for her children and eventually be given outright to them.”

“So Archie’s only chance of getting money is the good graces of the trustees?”

“Yes. And my graces are generally not deemed very good.” He sighed. “The problem is, it’s a subtle scheme, and subtlety is not something Archie possesses. Neither he nor my sister is clever. Now Walter is devious—look at all his pranks.”

“Rather more harmless than plotting to murder one’s brother.”

“So . . .” Laura settled into a more comfortable position on the bed, resting her back against a post at the foot of the bed and stretching her legs out in front of her, so that she and James faced each other. “The fact is, all of them had a reason to do it. It needn’t be a compelling motive, only compelling to them. Perhaps we should approach it from a different direction.”

“Which of them had access to mercury?”

“Exactly.” Laura beamed at his ready understanding.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” James chuckled. “Who would have thought you’d have such a taste for the macabre?”

“I’m not enjoying the reason for it,” Laura denied, then admitted, “But, that aside, it’s rather an interesting puzzle.”

He leaned back, watching her, his lips curved in a way that sent odd sizzles through her. “So it is. Go on, fair sleuth.”

Laura cleared her throat, doing her best to ignore the sensations he caused in her. “Why would any of them know the effects of mercury?”

“I can’t imagine. I had no idea it was lethal, and I can assure you that I am a scholar compared to my siblings.”

“I would think he must have had some experience with mercury.”

“And possess patience. It’s not a quick method.”

“Not to mention a great capacity for cruelty,” Laura added hotly. “If it was someone in this house, they were watching your illness progress. They knew full well how it made you suffer.”