Ludovic was watching Shield intently. “Tristram, you know something!”
Shield glanced down at him. “No. But Plunkett was shot by someone who wanted the talisman ring and only that. If you were not the man I know of only one other who could have done it.”
Ludovic raised himself slightly, staring at his cousin with knit brows. “My God, but he believed me! He was the only one who believed me!”
“So implicitly,” said Shield, “that he advised you to face your trial—with evidence enough against you to hang you twice over! Have you never wondered why he did that?”
Ludovic made a gesture as though brushing it aside. “Oh, I guessed he would be glad to step into my shoes, but damme, he would not run the risk of committing murder—he of all men!”
Eustacie gave a joyful shriek. “Basil!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “Yes, yes, of a certainty it was he! Why did I not think of that before? Miss Thane, it is my cousin Basil who is the villain, and although you do not know him I assure you it is much, much better, because he wears a silly hat, and I do not at all like him!”
“Oh well, in that case I am perfectly willing to have him for the villain in Sir Tristram’s place,” said Sarah. “I did not like to seem to criticize your choice, but to tell you the truth, Sir Tristram is not sinister enough for my taste.”
Sir Tristram looked a little amused. Ludovic said: “Wait, Eustacie, wait! This is not certain! Let me think!”
“But there is not any need to think, mon cousin. It is clear to me that Basil is the man, because he wants very much to be Lord Lavenham, and besides, there is no one else.”
“I can’t believe he’d put his neck in such jeopardy!” Ludovic said. “When did the Beau ever court a risk?”