Chapter 31 – Edward Explains

“Inspector? You wanted to talk to me?”

“Comtess, would you care to tell me about the hundred and fifty dollar bet you made with Dominic Winfield?”

There was the sound of a muted curse. “I didn’t think Ryder would tell you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I’m rather ashamed of it, and I didn’t see that it had any bearing on the case.”

“If you’re so ashamed of it, why did you make the bet?”

“Part of it was the drink.”

“And the other part?”

“I honestly thought that Eleanor would like him! He’s gentle, thoughtful, and quiet. I thought they would get along well.”

“That’s a rather crass form of matchmaking, don’t you think?”

“I know, I know. Believe me, I’ve berated myself more than once over this. You didn’t see Dominic’s face the day after she’d thrown him over. If I could have used that money to buy enough glue to piece him back together, I would have.”

The feeling in Edward’s voice was enough to bring Haley back to his senses. He took a few breaths to calm down.

When he felt more himself, he said, “Did you interfere on behalf of Winfield when he went to the duke?”

“I’m sorry?”

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“When Winfield went to the duke to ask permission to court Lady Serrs, originally he was refused. You’re his friend. Did you talk to your uncle to try to convince him that Winfield deserved a chance?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“And when Winfield lied to me about the duke coming to him—”

“Haley, if I’m ashamed of that bet, it’s nothing compared to how much Dominic hated himself for it. You have no idea. Thinking of it bothered him. He wouldn’t even allude to it. He probably allowed himself the fib because it was technically true—Uncle Erravold did go to him after he originally refused—and it eliminated the risk of you asking why he went to the duke.”

Haley was silent.

“Inspector, you’re not going to tell Eleanor, are you?”

“Are you so sure she doesn’t know?”

“How would she know? Who in their right mind would tell her?”

“What about the duke? Does he know?”