“To what do we owe the disturbance?” he asked coolly.
William’s expression shifted at once into something resembling contrition. “I hope I am not intruding. I could not rest without speaking further. Particularly knowing Charlotte has … found shelter.”
His emphasis did not go unnoticed.
Edward moved—not toward William, but subtly toward Charlotte, closing the distance without appearing to do so. Not shielding her. Not openly.
But near enough. Charlotte stiffened.
A muscle ticked in Edward’s jaw. “Explain yourself.”
William glanced toward Charlotte with a theatrical softness. “I have reason to believe certain individuals are still interested in the Westbrook affair. The accident was no simple tragedy.”
Edward did not look at Charlotte. He would not.
William continued, tone low and earnest. “I have made inquiries. I wished to make amends for my past failings. I was … unworthy then. I admit it.” He bowed his head slightly, the picture of remorse. “But I could not ignore what I discovered.”
“And that is?” Edward pressed.
William’s gaze lifted, locking onto Edward’s with something darker beneath the humility.
“There were transactions,” he said carefully. “Between George Westbrook and your late brother. Before my own involvement.”
The room seemed to tighten.
Charlotte’s breath caught audibly.
Edward felt something inside him go cold.
“Choose your next words with care,” he said quietly.
William raised his hands in placation. “I mean no insult. Only truth. Thomas was … ambitious. And George Westbrook wasnear ruin. They became entangled in certain arrangements. Large sums. Dangerous associates.”
Charlotte’s face had drained of color.
“Shady dealings,” William continued softly. “Men who do not accept loss gracefully. When Westbrook could not repay—”
“That is enough,” Edward said, his voice no longer calm.
William pressed on regardless. “It may explain why the carriage was tampered with. Why hostility grew. These people are not forgiving.”
“You lie,” Edward snapped.
William blinked as though wounded. “I gain nothing from falsehood.”
“You gain everything,” Edward shot back. “You seek to tarnish a dead man to elevate yourself.”
“I seek only to protect her,” William said, turning toward Charlotte again. “If Thomas’s actions placed her father in danger, she deserves to know.”
Edward took a step forward.
“Thomas was a man of honor.”
William’s expression flickered—almost pitying. “Even honorable men possess weaknesses.”
Edward’s hand curled into a fist.
“Your brother had a weakness for cards,” William went on quietly. “For risk. For high stakes. There are rumors he funded certain ventures through less respectable means.”
