The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener

Author:Michelle Diener [Diener, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: General, Fiction, Romance, Historical, cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9781451684438
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 2012-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

There was a subtle sense of relief at Fairlands, Geoffrey’s country seat in Kent. Edward felt it in the light steps of the staff, the extra effort of the cooks, and the quick service of the butler.

The estate manager had been almost manic in his delight at Edward’s proposed injection of cash, and his threadbare clothing and gaunt look told Edward more than words how close to the bone Geoffrey had been running things.

Now he stood in the magistrate’s rooms in Manston and noticed the lack of any real regret in Sir Humphrey’s eyes over Geoffrey’s death.

“Could have been his own hand,” the magistrate said, voice gruff with discomfort. “It could go either way. The angle of the shot could be accounted for if he turned his head as he pulled the trigger, or someone stood close to his right shoulder, just behind him, and shot him.”

“It would have had to be someone he knew, unless they crept up on him.” Edward saw that the pile of clothing, the gun, and other small items found on Geoffrey’s body were lying on the magistrate’s desk.

“Couldn’t say, one way or t’other.” The magistrate pushed the release documents forward for Edward to sign. “No one has come forward. He was found by one of his laborers. The house was empty of guests. Butler said they’d all left earlier that morning.”

Edward signed, and waited for a clerk to wrap the items up in brown paper for him to take away.

“There’s one thing.” The magistrate waited for the clerk to leave and close the door before speaking. He hesitated a moment. “We’re not known as a smugglers’ haven for nothing here; it’s a way o’ life. Damn Crown men don’t understand how to deal with it, but never mind that. Lord Holliday was—” He fiddled with the quill on his desk. “There’s rumors he were dabbling in owling himself. Them owlers aren’t people to cross, nor to go in with lightly. If he did either …” The magistrate shrugged.

Edward could see he had no sympathy for Geoffrey if he’d been killed because he’d got into bed with smugglers. And he was also prepared to put it down to being the most likely scenario in which Geoffrey had gotten a bullet in his head.

He gave a nod, careful not to show his shock. “How long has the rumor been around? About Geoffrey being in with the smugglers?”

The magistrate gave him a considering look. “At least a year. I didn’t do anything ’bout it—no proof, just whispers, y’know. But he had money troubles, that was clear from the way he ran the estate. Many a lord’s been seduced by the danger and the profits o’ owling, I’m sure.”

“I’ll warrant you’re right.” Edward collected everything and took his leave.

He walked out into the small town, savoring the fresh breeze off the sea. He’d never thought about the location of Fairlands in relation to his investigations. Had only connected Geoffrey to the gold smuggling since yesterday. But of course,

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