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Sebastian chuckled, and patted his brother on the shoulder consolingly “But you are back now safe and sound, and

there isn’t a scratch on her” He eyed his sister-in-law’s s expression ruefully

“We got anted,” Izzy announced, suddenly beco serious “Ballantyne murdered the maid”

“Are you certain?” Sebastian asked, with a quick look at Doh it was his lifeline to sanity

“Definitely” Isobel glanced at Amelia “It seemed that the depths of depravity to which Ballantyne and his associates sank orse than anyone anticipated Both brothers were hated by the servants Especially the led out, and used for sexual services with the threat of being cast out hanging over them, if they didn’t comply”

“Oh, dear God,” Aasped in horror

“Unfortunately, they singled out Martha She revealed the truth to her sister a feeeks before her death, when she made her monthly visit hohad simply vanished” Isobel accepted the brandy her husband offered her with a s “Martha was really scared Her sister wasn’t sure if she was expecting and tried to persuade her to leave, but she refused Her faain after that”

“Do you think the sister will speak in court, if Ballantyne is arrested forat his brother

Dominic removed a sheaf of papers from beneath his jacket and handed them to Sebastian

“She recounted her story for Isobel to write down Knoere after Ballantyne, she signed it before we left It will be enough to implicate Ballantyne Rumours are that he is still at it with his current servants God kno many he has involved The servants aren’t the only ones who hate hie hate him”

“Quite understandable” Sebastian took a deep breath “I think we have enough to arrange for his immediate arrest”

“I already called in on Lord Montague, as sending men out to arrest him Apparently he was already aware of Ballantyne’s activities, but could get few of the villagers to talk to him With little evidence, there was little he could do until he found someone prepared to reveal the truth”

“So that’s it? Ballantyne is no longer a threat?” A somewhat deflated She was vastly relieved for the maids that Ballantyne’s days of debauchery and murder were over

“That’s it,” Peter replied, with a smile of satisfaction “Noe can all resume our normal lives, and hopefully they will be peaceful ones for a while”

“A to his feet “I don’t know about you, Peter, but after all of this talk of ame of billiards, and some of Sebastian’s finest brandy If I spend ed Care to join us, Eastleigh?” At Eastleigh’s ready agree silence in their wake