A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder

Mother didn’t chide me for my questions. She might be losing interest in Bradmore. Heir to a title or not, if he had no estate at which to settle down, and he spent his life wandering about the world, he would simply not do in her opinion. It did seem he had no plans to marry and start a family anytime soon. Men were inequitably lucky in that way. Unless they had to work for a living or run an estate, they were free to do as they wished.

While out loud she questioned Lily’s manners, what she really meant was, hadn’t she taught her daughter more artful interrogation techniques?

Lily gasped. “Do you honestly think he would harm himself?”
I could not recall a more awkward conversation. If we pushed further ahead on the subject of Treadwell, his marked attention to Lily was bound to come out, and we might just put an end to the wedding. I was beginning to think warning Leo was a terrible idea. He still didn’t take the threat seriously, and only one of these men was guilty—maybe—but we might be damaging his relationship with both his brother-in-law and his best friend. Not to mention Lily. Perhaps we should just drop this subject.
“Are you aware of his feelings for Miss Price?”
Unfortunately, George had failed to read my mind.
Leo came to his feet so quickly, he toppled the chair. “That blackguard!”
He stomped out of the room, leaving Lily in tears. Lifting her skirts, she scurried to the door. “You’ve ruined everything!” She sent me a deadly glare before rushing after him.
George leaned back in his chair. “I’ll take that as a no.”
“Definitely no.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “What do you think he’s going to do to Treadwell?”
“Give him the thrashing he deserves.”
I nodded. “Then I suppose he and Lily will need to have a talk. I hope we haven’t ruined everything, as she said.”
“They’ll work it out, Frances. Talking is the best thing they can do.”