Reaching into the inner pocket of his jacket, Richard took out the signet ring and handed it over. “Then you must stay and act normally. Do not rouse suspicion.”
“What if someone asks where I was?” Wick’s hands trembled as he slid the ring into place.
“Did anyone see you last night? Anyone who can provide you with an alibi?” Violet asked.
Wick propped his elbows on his knees, his head dropping into his hands. “My sole companion was a bottle of whiskey I filched from the billiards room. I found the gamekeeper’s cottage open and let myself in. I drank all night, passed out… didn’t come to until dusk.”
“That’shoursunaccounted for,” Violet said with clear dismay.
Richard came to a swift decision. “If anyone asks, Wick, say you were indisposed today. Don’t elaborate on the details.” The last thing he wanted was for his sibling to construct some elaborate Banbury Tale and get snared in the details. “For now, go directly to your room and get cleaned up. Then go to the ball and act as if nothing has happened. Do you understand?”
“I shall do my best.” Wick got unsteadily to his feet. “But what about Garrity? What should I do if he approaches me?”
“You have three months left to pay off your debt,” Richard said shortly. “Until then, he’s not going to do anything to threaten his investment. But, if you’re wise, you’ll show your good faith by doing what you came here to do: secure Miss Turbett’s hand.”
“You’re right, Richard.” Wick hung his head. “You always were, and I’m sorry if I’ve been… difficult. You’re a good brother to me, a better one than I deserve.”
Richard’s chest clenched. As a boy, Wick had worn that hangdog expression too many times to count, usually after he’d engaged in some mischief or another. Back then, Richard had always been able to help his little brother. Yet now Wick was a grown man, and it wasn’t just some foolish prank he would have to answer for butmurder…
He shoved aside his worry. Clapped a hand on his sibling’s shoulder. “We’ll see you out of this trouble, Wickham. I promise you that.”
Wick gave a fretful nod. As he passed Violet, he paused and bent his head toward her ear. Her eyes widened at whatever he was saying to her. When he was done, he gave her arm a gentle squeeze and departed.
Richard waited until the door of the amphitheatre was closed. “What did Wick say to you?”
“He apologized.”
“For what?”
“For misleading me about you.” Her lashes fanned rapidly. “And now I owe you an apology as well. It seems I’ve misjudged you for some time, Carlisle.”
Richard frowned. “Misjudged? How so?”
“Wick told me that you were forcing him to woo Miss Turbett against his wishes.”
“That’s not untrue—”
“But Wick said it was to pay off debts thatyouhad incurred. He told me that you’d made some bad investments that had paupered the estate. He claimed that you were coercing him into marrying for money in order to rectify the mistake thatyouhad made.”
Her words struck like arrows dipped in poison. A sharp, painful sensation spread through his chest.
“Wick… lied about me?” he said thickly.
She nodded. “And I believed him. Consequently, I think it’s made me judge you harshly…wrongly. And for that I am truly sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known.” Disbelief seeped through him; he shook his head, trying to understand why his brother would betray him. “Why would Wick say such things…?”
“He said he was ashamed,” she said quietly. “He’s always measured himself against you, I think, and felt he came up short.”
“Compared tome?” Richard was stupefied. “He’s the one with all the good looks and charm.”
Violet frowned. “That’s not true.”
“Of course it is. Wick’s the golden boy of our family, everyone’s favorite. He could have done anything, been anything had he put his mind to it.” Richard rubbed the back of his neck, said gruffly, “In looks and manner, I can’t hold a candle to him.”
“That’sabsurd. You’re very attractive,” she said hotly.
His head snapped up. She didn’t appear to be making fun of him. “You think so?”
