“Locked up beneath the Tabard Inn,” Stokes replied. “We’ll be taking him to London tomorrow. You won’t see him again.”
People turned to each other, and the sound of avid chatter rose as they exclaimed and speculated on the likely social repercussions.
Monty had been standing along the wall beyond Constance; he came up to her and Alaric. “I say!” Monty looked thoroughly chuffed. “Quite exciting, that chase through the woods and then the action in the clearing. Mind you, I’m glad it wasn’t me looking down the barrel of Edward’s pistol.”
Alaric laconically arched his brows.
Constance humphed, but without heat. Everything had worked out, no one else had been harmed, and the murderer was in shackles.
And she was leaning on Alaric’s arm.
Guy Walker and Mrs. Gibson strolled up to ask whether Alaric would be heading back to London soon.
While they had Alaric’s attention, Monty tugged Constance’s sleeve. When she looked his way and arched a brow, he leaned closer and murmured, “Just wanted to say how pleased I am.” His gaze shifted to Alaric and back to her, his eyes wide, his gaze warm. “And to let you know how delighted the whole family will be—they’ll welcome you with open arms. You can take my word on that—they’ve been waiting for years for Alaric to make his choice.”
Constance felt Monty might be rushing his fences, yet rather than saying so, curiosity prompted her to ask, “But aren’t you his heir?”
Monty grinned. “Yes, but the last thing I or anyone else in the family would ever want to see is me inheriting. Good Lord—that would be a disaster!”
She had to smile at the comical look on Monty’s face. As it faded, she touched his arm. “Thank you for your vote of confidence.” She glanced at Alaric. “I don’t know what might come to pass, but…thank you.”
Monty gave her a strange look, then grinned again. “Trust me—there’s no doubt at all about his direction. Take it from one who’s known him from birth.” He paused, then added, “Mine, that is—he’s older than me.”
Constance couldn’t help but laugh.
Smiling, Monty tipped his head to her and moved off to speak with Henry Wynne and Mrs. Humphries.
Constance surveyed the company. Many were discussing their arrangements to leave the next day. Most, she suspected, would make a beeline for their favorite center of gossip to gleefully relate the scandalous details of the murders at Mandeville Hall.
For herself…
She’d seen Glynis avenged and her murderer brought to justice; that had been her goal in remaining at the Hall.
There really wasn’t any other reason for her to stay.
Except…
She looked at Alaric—to find him waiting to catch her eye. Mr. Walker and Mrs. Gibson had moved on, leaving Alaric and Constance in their own quiet spot in the room.
She couldn’t drag her gaze from his—from the promise she could see in the hazel brightness.
He smiled, reached for her hand, closed his fingers about hers, and gently tugged. “Come with me.” His voice had lowered to a tone meant solely for her. His eyes held hers. “There’s something I want to show you.”
There was a great deal more behind the simple words.
A great deal more she wanted to explore.
She nodded, gripped his hand, and placed her trust in him. And knew, in her heart, that she could and always would.
OceanofPDF.com
Chapter 12
What Alaric wanted to show her was a view of his home by moonlight. The moon had waxed over the past days; now it bathed Carradale Manor in a silvery light.
“This,” he said, halting and drawing her to stand before him and wrapping his arms about her waist, “is my favorite sight. Daylight does it justice, but moonlight…”
“Turns it magical.” She could see it—sense it. She relaxed against him, and it felt natural. Normal. As things should be—feeling the strength of his body against hers, supporting her, protecting her. Something no other man had ever presumed to do.
