Sebastian eyed his cousin. "You gave her that ring?"

Jeremy nodded. "The one I wear is a duplicate. I had it made when I gave Lillian this one. I did not want to have to explain to Mother or the rest of the family why I was no longer wearing the Fleetwood ring. Not until I was ready to announce my marriage."

"You may not have found it necessary to explain the missing ring to the rest of the Fleetwoods," Sebastian said, "but I think you are going to have to explain to me how it wound up in Oxenham's study."

"But I don't know how it got there," Jeremy said quickly. "I swear it. As far as I knew, the ring was lost when Lillian drowned. It oc­curred to me that someone—one of the villagers, perhaps—might have stolen it after finding her body. The ring was, after all, rather valuable. But I knew I had very little chance of recovering it, so I let the matter rest."

Prudence turned to Sebastian. "Perhaps we should talk to her un­cle, the tavern keeper."

"You cannot do that," Jeremy said quietly. "He was taken off by the fever over a year ago. I learned of his death when I happened past the tavern one day and discovered it was being operated by new own­ers."

"So much for that notion," Prudence said, frustrated.

"I do not understand any of this." Jeremy glared at Sebastian. "First you return my snuffbox to me and now my ring. You have practically accused me of murder in both instances. What game are you playing now, Angelstone?"

Sebastian stroked Lucifer in silence for a moment. "Two men have died recently: Ringcross and Oxenham."

"I am aware of that."

"Personal items belonging to you were found in the vicinity of the deaths. This note was also found near Oxenham's body." Sebastian handed Jeremy the note he had discovered.

Jeremy read it quickly. When he glanced up again he appeared more baffled than ever. "What is this about avenging Lillian? What the bloody hell is going on?"

"There would appear to be two possibilities," Sebastian said. "Ei­ther you have decided to avenge Lillian because you believe her death was not an accident, or…"

"Or what?" Prudence demanded before Jeremy could ask the same question.

"Or someone wishes to make it appear that such is the case," Sebastian concluded softly.

"But who would wish to do that?" Prudence asked swiftly.

Sebastian contemplated Lucifer. "The real murderer, perhaps."

Jeremy was clearly staggered. "How do you come to know all this, Angelstone?"

Sebastian gave him a derisive smile. "Rumors have reached me."

"Rumors from where?" Jeremy demanded.

"Bow Street."

"Bow Street" Jeremy was horrified. "Do you mean to tell me that Bow Street is investigating the deaths of Ringcross and Oxenham?"

"Yes," Sebastian said. "Very discreetly, of course."

"But how did you get hold of my snuffbox and ring if they were found at the scenes of the deaths?"

"Let us just say that I have connections both high and low. Some of them are in Bow Street."

"I suppose that does not surprise me," Jeremy muttered. "God knows you have your tentacles everywhere."

"That is certainly one way of putting it," Sebastian agreed. "In any event, one of my tentacles—I mean, one of my connections—is in­volved in the investigation. A certain individual saw fit to let me know that evidence linking you to the deaths has come to light. At the moment this person is content to let me deal with the matter."

"You must pay him very well to keep you informed," Jeremy said bitterly.

"I like to be kept informed," Sebastian said in a neutral tone.

Prudence glanced at Sebastian in brief admiration. He had fi­nessed that issue very nicely, she thought. It was entirely believable that a man in Sebastian's powerful position could have picked up rumors from Bow Street, especially rumors that affected his own fam­ily. It was also reasonable to assume that he could have used his influence to convince someone in authority to turn evidence over to him rather than use it against his cousin.

"The problem," Sebastian continued softly, "is that there may be more deaths. I do not know if I will be able to keep your name out of the matter if that happens."

"Good God." Jeremy stared at Sebastian. "What am I to do? I know nothing about the deaths of Ringcross and Oxenham. If some­one is trying to implicate me, I might eventually be arrested for mur­der. How would I prove my innocence?"

"You must not fret, Mr. Fleetwood." Prudence patted Jeremy's arm. "Angelstone is going to help you, aren't you, Angelstone?"

Sebastian shrugged. "Perhaps."

"Angelstone, what are you saying?" Prudence shot to her feet. "It is grossly unkind of you to torment Mr. Fleetwood in this fashion. I will not have it."

Jeremy stood up abruptly. His hand clenched into a fist. "I suspect your husband is enjoying himself, Lady Angelstone. It occurs to me that if I am taken up for murder, he will have a rather nasty sort of revenge against the family. There is no telling what the shock and scandal would do to my mother."

"Do not say such things, Mr. Fleetwood," Prudence begged. "It is not Angelstone's intent to hurt the family by seeing you arrested for murder."

"No?" Jeremy looked down at her, his eyes a little wild. "In case you do not fully comprehend the sort of man you have married, madam, allow me to tell you that Angelstone hates the rest of us. He would not mind seeing all Fleetwoods ruined."

"That's not true," Prudence said.

"It is true." Jeremy cast a scathing glance at Sebastian. "In fact, now that I consider the matter, I find it more than likely that he is the one behind all this."

"No," Prudence gasped.

Jeremy stared at Sebastian. "Is it you who is doing this to me, Angelstone? Are you trying to get me arrested for murder?"

Sebastian smiled coldly. "If that was my goal I would not have given you the snuffbox and the ring. I would have let Bow Street have them."

"How do I know that?" Jeremy shot back. "Perhaps this is all part of a larger plot. You are like a cat with a mouse, are you not? You intend to amuse yourself for a time by tormenting the rest of us until you grow bored. Then you will end the entertainment once and for all by seeing me hung and the rest of the family disgraced."

Sebastian's mouth curved in cynical amusement. "I congratulate you on your vivid imagination, cousin."

"Stop it, both of you," Prudence ordered. She stepped in front of the desk, placing herself between Jeremy and Sebastian. "That is quite enough theatrics for the morning. Mr. Fleetwood, perhaps it would be best if you took your leave. Try not to worry about being taken up for murder. Angelstone will not permit that to happen."

"Angelstone may not be able to prevent it," Sebastian said very softly.

Prudence rounded on him. "As for you, Angelstone, I demand that you cease trying to terrify your cousin."

Sebastian's eyes glittered. "Why are you always trying to spoil my fun, madam?"

"Not another word," Prudence said through set teeth. She glanced at Jeremy over her shoulder. "Good day, Mr. Fleetwood. I shall see that you are kept informed of events. Please try not to worry. All will be well."

"Not if Angelstone has decided upon some fiendish amusement." Jeremy inclined his head in a rigid gesture of farewell. "Good day, madam. You have my deepest condolences. It cannot be easy being wed to the Fallen Angel."

He walked out of the library without a backward glance.