Robert met Matilda’s eyes. He saw the tension in her shoulders, the way she braced herself not just for the answer but for whatever storm might follow it.
“He’s in custody,” Robert said evenly. “The constables arrested him this morning.”
Matilda let out a soft breath and with it, a tremble.
“I gave them everything you told me, and they’ve taken possession of his study. The documents and letters you mentioned will be evidence enough to ensure the case stands. Once they begin sorting through the records, the scale of his schemes will become clear.”
“Will he… will he go to trial?” Matilda asked.
“Yes,” Robert said. “And he’ll answer for every one of his crimes, fraud, conspiracy, attempted murder.” His voice dipped, darker now. “And the deaths of my family.”
A silence settled over the room, heavy but not oppressive. Just the kind that followed the naming of something long buried and now unearthed.
Matilda slowly sank onto one of the chairs, her shoulders sagging as though she had been holding herself upright through sheer force of will.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” she whispered.
“It’s not over yet,” Robert said, softer now. “But it’s begun. Justice is moving now, and this time, no bribes or influence will stop it.”
She nodded, eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Thank you. I didn’t think anyone would ever believe me. Not fully.”
“I did,” Robert said simply. “You brought the truth. And you gave me the choice I never thought I’d have—what to do with it.”
He felt Evelyn’s hand reach for his again. He glanced at her and saw the faint shimmer in her eyes as she gazed at her sister, the bond between them restored and healing.
Matilda gave a small, broken laugh. “And here I thought I’d be scorned and cast out.”
Cordelia, never one for stillness, flopped beside her dramatically. “You’ll only be cast out if you don’t help us finish packing Evelyn’s absurd number of books again.”
Hazel sighed. “Truly, they are heavier than the furniture.”
Even Matilda laughed, the tension breaking like sunlight through clouds. Robert let the sound wash over him, grounding him.
Matilda turned toward him, leaning in just enough, so he could hear her quiet murmur, “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Robert, please,” he smiled. “But this is all because of you and your bravery to speak up.”
“Yes,” Evelyn smiled somehow sadly. “You didn’t give up, even after I turned my back on you.”
Matilda pressed her hand to her chest. “How could I give up on those I love the most?”
Evelyn wrapped her arms around her sister, and everyone gave them a moment. Though the past still lingered like a shadow at the edge of the room, Robert felt that finally, a bright future was unfurling before them, and they would be finally together, finally true.
Epilogue
“You’re being suspiciously cheerful this morning,” Evelyn said, eyeing Robert over the rim of her teacup. “What are you planning?”
Robert leaned back in his chair, the corner of his mouth curling in that maddeningly inscrutable smile. “You wound me, Madam. Can a husband not simply be pleased to spend the morning with his wife?”
“Well, perhaps. But not without an ulterior motive.” She set her cup down and narrowed her eyes at him. “You’ve been humming. That never bodes well.”
“I do not hum,” he protested though the smile grew wider. “And if I did, it would be in a very masculine, dignified way.”
“Of course,” she said dryly. “Is the humming related to this mysterious outing you mentioned before breakfast?”
He stood then, offering his hand to her. “Come. We’re going riding.”
“Riding?” She took his hand and allowed herself to be helped up. “Where?”
