Chapter 78

“I was paid, m’lord, to keep account and report his lordship’s whereabouts at all times.”

It took a moment for Julien to find his voice. “By whom?”

“By Mr. Morleigh Mayfield, sir.”

What had been merely a suspicion was now a certainty, but Julien only felt worse for it. “When did he begin paying you?”

“He engaged me days before his lordship arrived in London. I was to watch his lordship until—”

“Was Mayfield at Shadowcross Manor when Dearborne visited?”

“He stayed at an inn in the village.”

“And you informed him when Dearborne and I toured my estate.”

“I did, sir.” Gibson’s head hung down.

That explained the poacher, although it was doubtful Morleigh did the shooting himself. More likely he’d hired someone to do the dirty work for him. “He wanted the title.” Julien nearly choked on the words as despair overtook him. If that was the case, then Leander was likely dead already. He looked at the valet and his fury began to build. “And he paid you off when the job was done.”