William let the last leg of the stool slip from his grasp, even as he stared down at Gerald. “I did not mean to do it,” he whispered. “But I could not let him betray her again.” He appealed to Joshua. “He lied to my sister and she believed him. You made it all right after I wrote to you, though,” he said to Joshua, then eyed Gerald and Mrs. Lewis. “You made it right.” His sigh came from his very toes. “That wrong had to be righted.” He pushed his hand through his hair and sat on the floor beside Gerald.
So, it had been Mrs. Lewis’ brother behind the notes, and Gerald’s seduction of Mrs. Lewis had been the crime.
“Find the magistrate,” Joshua told Francis, who pivoted and ran to do his bidding.
He stepped across the threshold himself and paused beside Gerald only long enough to ascertain that his brother was dead. Then he went directly to Miss Emerson. She trembled but did not falter.
“He confessed,” she said. “And Becky heard as much, too. You were supposed to die in that duel, not Miss Havilland. That was why your father sent him away. Heknew. Your father knew and he wanted only to protect you.” Joshua was astonished. Miss Emerson took a shaking breath, pity lighting her gaze as sheconsidered Gerald. “He meant to kill you now,” she added. “That was why Mrs. Lewis expected to become a viscountess.”
It made a treacherous sense. Joshua could scarce believe that his brother had hated him so very much. All the same, he could not doubt Miss Emerson. He was awed that she had sought out this confession, that she had taken such a risk so he might know the truth. Even as he considered the revelation, though, a hundred little details fell into place. Finally the puzzle was complete.
“It is true, sir,” Becky said. “Every word of it.”
But Joshua had already recognized as much.
And the lady who had solved the riddle stood before him. He offered Miss Emerson his hand. She placed the knife carefully on the edge of a table, then seized his hand, her grip so tight that he knew she was deeply shaken. Her valor impressed him mightily, but when he felt how she was shaking, Joshua swept her into his arms, wanting only to see her away from this scene.
He heard her sigh with a contentment that warmed his heart. He felt her lean against him, utterly confident in his protection, and knew he would do anything to defend her.
For he loved this lady, heart and soul, and she alone could make his life complete.
Once the viscount arrived,Helena knew that all would be resolved. Though she did not wish to be apart from him, he took her and Becky to Haynesdale House, where the dowager duchess poured them tea and demanded the entire tale.
The viscount returned to what was apparently the home of William Jones, Mrs. Lewis’ brother, and ensured that the magistrate’s task was fulfilled. He returned an hour or so later,grim and inscrutable, then returned them to Bramble Cottage. Helena knew that he was shocked by his brother’s animosity, for once again, he might have been made of stone.
They had just arrived at Bramble Cottage when a covered cart passed, on its way to Addersley Manor. Helena saw the shadow cross the viscount’s features and knew his brother was being taken home for the last time.
“I am so sorry,” she whispered.
“As am I, Miss Emerson,” he said in his lovely deep voice. “As am I.”
“You must feel it more greatly, having lost him twice.”
But a week ago, she knew he would have turned away, but he hesitated, then spoke again. “I feel I lost him thrice, Miss Emerson, each time more painful than the one before. I only wished that we might one day be reconciled.”
She smiled at him and pressed his hand. He looked down at her hand resting upon his, and when he spoke, his voice was hoarse. “I do not know when our paths will cross again, Miss Emerson. My house will be in mourning, as is right and proper.”
Helena understood. He would not attend the ball at Haynesdale House.
“Of course,” she said softly and he kissed her hand, his gaze rising to lock with hers.
“I trust you will find a plethora of willing partners,” he said, but Helena knew that she wanted only one. He turned then and strode to the gig, as crisp and composed as ever. She stood in the yard and watched him go, yearning for what might never be.
If ever Addersley Manorhad seemed quiet and lonely, that had been nothing compared to its echoing emptiness on this night.Joshua knew he would never sleep, his thoughts still spinning at the depth of Gerald’s malice.
His brother, his own brother, had despised him—and he had never guessed the truth. Oh, he knew that Gerald often made jests at his expense, and he was aware that Gerald had courted the attentions of his betrothed…and he knew that Gerald had stolen from the house, and he knew that Gerald had threatened Miss Emerson, simply because Joshua admired her.
The truth was that he had often suspected this truth, but had refused to believe it.
He recalled the night of that last duel and saw a dozen little hints and signs that he had overlooked before. Perhaps he had deliberately overlooked them. Perhaps he had been unwilling to believe that he and Gerald were not as close as brothers might be.
He went through the entire house, seeing it as Gerald must have done, not as an obligation or a responsibility or even a gift, but as the possession of another. As an injustice. As a goal. The realization saddened him as much as Gerald’s death.
William Jones awaited the duke’s return and the justice he so admired. Mrs. Lewis would raise another child without a father, though the annuity would mean that she did not starve. Joshua dared to hope that Francis would make a good smith. Gerald would be buried in the family cemetery and mourned yet again, but this time, he would not rise from the dead to return.
Did Specter know that Gerald was gone? It seemed the horse did, for he was unusually calm on this night. Joshua went through the stables, spoke with Hoskins, accepted the condolences of his staff, and took two dogs into the house for company. He could not face the meal that Mrs. Baird prepared for him, or the vast emptiness of the dining room, despite Fairfax’s encouragement. He left the dogs snoring before thefire in the library, amused to think that Miss Emerson would approve.
Miss Emerson. He could not think of her, of the peril she had faced, of the possibility that she could have been injured.
