“What did the viscount have to do with it?” That was the part Fanny didn’t understand. “Did you want him also?”
“I did not, but he was friends with Lord Coxhill, and they were constantly together. Taking time away from me.” She kept both Fanny and William in her sight. “I thought my plan would work, but I made a mistake and acted too possessive too early. Lord Wainwright put a bug in Lord Coxhill’s ear that things weren’t right with me and to steer clear.”
“And that’s when you decided to kill the very man you loved.” William shook his head. “Obviously, you didn’t love him enough, and he became just another victim.”
Miss Newton glared at him. “No, you didn’t pay enough attention, Inspector. That disappoints me.” From a clever pocket in her skirting, she withdrew a knife with a long blade, serrated on one side. From the way she wrapped her fingers around the black handle, it was a favorite. “There wasn’t an initial on his body, didn’t you see? I wanted him no longer.”
“What the devil does that mean?” No amount of tugging at her bonds would free Fanny’s wrists. The chain about her neck twisted with her necklace and pinched her skin. “You said you worked hard to win Lord Coxhill.”
“Yes, but then I was rescued by Inspector Storme. I knew at that moment we had a connection, that he was the man I ultimately needed to align myself with.” She cast a glance at William, who stared back with such loathing on his face it caught Fanny’s breath. “But there was one huge fly in the ointment.”
“Which was what?” Fanny wished the woman would either get to the point or try to kill her, for then she’d be distracted enough that William could grab his pistol. Already he edged scant inches toward it when Miss Newton wasn’t looking.
“You.” She closed the distance between them and drew the knife point along one of Fanny’s cheeks. It didn’t cause a scratch, but fear shot down her spine anyway. “Inspector Storme ignored me and our connection because he is in love with you. Lame, wallflower, with nothing to speak of. You.” She ripped the knife tip through Fanny’s gown and the chemise beneath. When the cold bite of the metal flicked against her exposed abdomen, Fanny whimpered. “His head was turned by a nobody, and you were supposed to let Lord Wainwright ask for your hand besides. It was a perfect scenario.”
“I don’t love Lord Wainwright,” Franny protested. “Why should I marry anyone without that?”
“So you decided to try and take Miss Bancroft out while she and I were to have tea near Covent Gardens.” William said, drawing Miss Newton’s attention from Fanny.
“Of course, but you were always in her company, always close. I saw you following her every time she went out.” Rage flashed in Miss Newton’s eyes even as Fanny gasped. She’d suspected, but hadn’t any confirmation. He would always try to protect her. “My shot missed, and that made you even more cautious.”
“And the shopkeeper?” One of his eyebrows rose. “Why did you kill her? For that matter, how the hell did you even know I visited her in Brook Street?”
“I followed you. You didn’t truly believe I’d let the love of my life out of my sight, did you?” Once more she angled herself behind Fanny and laid the flat of her blade against Fanny’s stomach. The serrated teeth scratch the skin. It was only a matter of time now. “That woman flirted with you, and you smiled at her. All because you wished to buy a frippery for poor little Fanny.” She tsked her tongue. “My patience wore thin, so that woman had to die, but then you took Miss Bancroft home!”
“Point of fact, I escorted him to his house. He was in no condition to do anything else at that time,” Fanny interjected. She was rewarded for that by Miss Newton pressing the teeth of the knife into her flesh.
A swift stroke, much like when William employed his bow on the violin, and warm blood seeped from the shallow cut on her abdomen. Miss Newton laughed when Fanny cried out in pain. “And you used that time with him to further enchant him!” The madwoman’s voice rose an octave. “So now, you must go. You’ll join all those women and finally, finally, I’ll have a husband and show the snotty members of the ton that I was a success.” She looked at the inspector. “The best husband, for he’ll keep everyone away.”
Fanny darted a frantic glance at William. So much anguish and sorrow filled his expression that it tugged at her heart. She hadn’t had a chance to outright tell him that she loved him. They’d danced about those words on the terrace before all this horror had occurred, and now he’d never know… “William, I—”
“Do not think to talk to him, Miss Bancroft,” Miss Newton purred into her ear. She again pressed the blade to Fanny’s skin, digging it in, tearing at the skin. “Mine, remember?”
Hot agony went through Fanny’s midsection. How long would it be before her entrails would spill and she’d bleed to death, her blood staining the floor like the other women’s had? She whispered, tried to keep a stiff upper lip, but the pain was too much. A hiccup escaped her throat. Tears slipped down her cheeks. “If you’re going to kill me, get on with it, for there is no way on this Earth that William will let you walk away from this horrible shop.” When she peered at the inspector and lifted her eyebrows, he nodded faintly. “Of this I’m certain.”
Hiccup!
Using the rest of her strength, Fanny slammed her bound fists into Miss Newton’s stomach. Then she kicked out as hard as she could and caught her abductor in a knee cap. She wished her heel left a mark, for it had certainly thrown the woman off balance.
She hoped William could use that tiny advantage.