He’d written it in his journal in the hope of expunging it from his mind.
Had he confessed the sin to someone as he lay upon his deathbed?And with that confession set off a string of revenge deaths on the Davenport dukes?
Alex placed the journal aside, now troubled.
This shed new light on the accidental deaths of the last three dukes.
Perhaps these deaths were not so innocent after all.
Who had learned of his grandfather’s secret?And what was this awful truth he’d needed to confess?
“Bloody hell,” he muttered, gazing down at Tulip’s sleeping form.He should never have brought her here.That the deaths of three prior dukes were ruled accidental should not have swayed him.
He was the trained investigator and ought to have known better.
But he’d wanted Tulip so badly, ached to marry her and make her his wife, that he’d lied to himself about the danger.
After reading this journal, could there be a doubt the deaths of his three predecessors had been murder?
Perhaps his grandfather’s death had also been a murder, and the simplest to accomplish because the old man was already sick and frail.
Everyone would believe he had died of natural causes, but what if he had been slowly poisoned?
That would make four deaths.
Was he next?
CHAPTER 12
SUNSHINE PERMEATED ALEX’Sbedchamber and warmed his face to stir him awake early the following morning.He could not have managed more than three or four hours of sleep, but it was enough for him.However, the solid eight hours Tulip had received appeared to be not enough for her.
It troubled Alex that she seemed groggy even after he gently shook her awake.
He had grown used to seeing her bright smile and having her reach up to kiss him when she awoke, but she appeared to have trouble even lifting her head this morning.
He shook her again gently.
“Tulip,” he whispered, kissing her lightly on her warm, pink cheek.
She finally cast him an achingly sweet smile.“Is it time to wake up already?I feel as though I have just closed my eyes.”
Even her movements were sluggish as she drew the covers over herself to bargain for a few more minutes of sleep.
“Love, we need to get an early start.I thought you wanted to come with me.”
And after reading his grandfather’s journal, was there a doubt he needed to keep her close to him today on the chance she was also in danger?
“I did want to, Alex.Idowant to.But I can hardly lift my head.Why don’t you go on ahead with Mr.Carver?”
“No, Tulip.I need you with me.”
She snorted.“Weren’t you the one who originally suggested we divide and conquer?You heading off to the farms while I inventory the household silver and work out the weekly menus with Mrs.Granger?This will occupy much of my day.”
Oh, sure.
It would occupy her for about five minutes.
He frowned, but spoke gently to her.“And weren’t you the one who insisted on joining me in touring those farms?If memory serves me correctly, you were quite vocal about it.Come on, Tulip.This isn’t like you.”
