A Perfect Gentleman by Jane Charles

Author:Jane Charles [Charles, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Matthew wanted to go to her, take Miss Cooper in his arms and shield her from her pain, but what comfort he could offer would not lessen her grief. Jordan grabbed his arm and motioned for Matthew to follow him in to the hall. He did so, with one last look at Miss Cooper. She wouldn’t know if they were in the room or not, and Perkins could come get him if he were needed, and the only reason he would be needed is if Mr. Cooper passed on. He hoped that didn’t come to be.

Jordan waited for him in the foyer. “Who do you think tried to kill Mr. Cooper?” he asked in a hushed tone.

“If I were one to make a wager, I would suspect your client.” Only Lord Stillwaite had anything to gain by the demise of his brother. The three suitors only had one-third of a chance of Miss Cooper choosing them so murder was hardly worth the risk if one ended up without the prize in the end.

Jordan stiffened. “Stillwaite wanted Cooper put away, and had a chance of that happening, and at the very least end up with guardianship and control of the estate. Why result to murder before a decision was made?”

Matthew didn’t have an answer.

“It would have to be someone strong enough to get Mr. Cooper up the stairs.”

He walked to the landing and glance up to the second floor.

“And younger than Stillwaite?” Jordan added.

Matthew had to agree. The man may be older and healthier than his younger brother, but he knew from experience from helping Mr. Cooper that the older man could not have accomplished this on his own, if he were responsible.”

There were dents in the wall and a few of the wood bannisters were broken. Blood smeared on the lower part of the wall the closer to the landing, as well as the lower steps, with a small pool on the floor after the first step. “Was the damage caused from the fall or did Mr. Cooper fight while being hauled up the stairs?”

“Possibly both,” Jordan answered. He and Matthew slowly walked up the stairs, examining the dents and splintering caused to Mr. Cooper or his assailant. He placed his hand on the railing, it moved easily. “I will need to have someone come in and fix this before anyone is injured or it gives way.

Jordan nodded and went down on his haunches, looking toward the foyer. Matthew followed his line of vision. There were sixteen steps on the stairs. It was impossible for Mr. Cooper to navigate himself, even with the help of the bannister. Someone brought him up here and then pushed him down. But who?

Matthew stood and slowly walked back down the steps, once again examining the broken brackets, chips in the wall and blood on the steps, trying to determine when and how the damage had been done. When he reached the bottom he looked back up at Jordan. “I think Mr. Cooper fought with his murderer going up the stairs, which is how the spindles were broken.

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