Staring into those lifeless eyes, Conrad felt a spike of pity.
“There is nothing I can do, ma’am,” he said. “Robert must pay for his crime.”
“You’re a lying bastard!” Spittle clung to Robert’s cracked lips, his sunken eyes glowing with hatred. “You’re behind this. You want to destroy me!”
Staring at the pitiful, shriveled, and decaying man, Conrad expected to feel some sort of emotion. Some satisfaction, maybe relief. Instead, he felt nothing.
“I did want to destroy you,” he said. “However, you saved me the trouble and did it to yourself.”
Robert was still yelling as the constables wheeled him away.
Chapter Thirty-Five
“Shopping is a lovely distraction,” Xenia said brightly. “Thank you for suggesting it, Evie.”
“You’re welcome.” James’s wife, Evie, the Countess of Manderly, smiled in her shy way.
Gigi was strolling along the square with her two sisters-in-law. A curvy, bespectacled blonde, Evie preferred her studies to socializing. According to James, she was happiest in the greenhouse he’d built her, where she conducted experiments with plants. Gigi was touched that Evie had made the trip to check up on her.
Three days had passed since Gigi’s return to Chuddums, and she’d spent the bulk of it weeping in her bedchamber. She was grateful that her family had forgiven her for her reckless behavior…if only she could forgive herself as easily. She’d been a fool to entrust her heart to Conrad. Despite all the evidence pointing to his ruthlessness—his business dealings, sabotage of the spa, plan for revenge against his brother—she had given him the benefit of the doubt.
Over and again, she’d made excuses. She’d rationalized that he had a good heart, and because of his past, he merely needed time to trust and love again. She saw the extent of her self-deception. He’d been manipulating her, lying to her about his motivations this entire time. Now, because of her, the fate of Chuddums hung in the balance.
“Truth be told, my motivation was a bit selfish,” Evie said. “Since this is my first visit to Chuddums, I wanted to see the square myself. James has spoken highly of it.”
“You might as well see it now. While you still can,” Gigi said bleakly.
“Oh, my dear.” Empathy and worry shone in Xenia’s eyes. “Do you think Mr. Godwin intends to go through with his plan?”
“I don’t know what he is going to do. In his letter, he did not mention specifics.”
Gigi had received a note from Conrad this morning, which she’d shown her sisters-in-law.
Dearest Gigi,
* * *
Much has happened since we parted. Due to the pawn ticket you found, a connection was made between the assailant at the gala and my brother. Robert is now in police custody. As his days are numbered, he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The threat to my life is over. I have given orders to my guards that you no longer require protection, and I breathe easier knowing that my presence in your life does not compromise your well-being.
There is much left unsaid between us, and I ask that you grant me an audience so that I may better explain my behavior and the actions I have taken. I will return to Chuddums in a week’s time to discuss our future. Despite our separation, you are in my thoughts, and it is my greatest hope that we will soon come to a mutual understanding.
* * *
Your husband,
C.
“As someone who has not met Mr. Godwin, I know I am not the best judge of his character,” Evie said. “But I thought there were hopeful aspects to his letter. For example, he seems quite concerned for your welfare.”
“I was surprised to learn that he had guards following me,” Gigi admitted.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about it. On the one hand, his tendency to take covert actions and keep things to himself played a large role in their marital conflict. On the other, maybe it was his way of showing that he cared.
“Conrad’s protectiveness probably doesn’t mean anything,” she went on with a sigh. “He would act that way toward anything he considers a possession. To him, I’m no different from a piece of property.”
That, she realized, was what hurt the most. She’d fallen in love with him, but to him, she was just part of some plan. He wanted a nymph who would soothe his lust and a duchess who would enhance his prestige.
