“My mother was a maid,” Leonard continued. “A simple French maid. She loved my father, and he…he used her. When she sent word that she was pregnant, she never heard from him again. Now I know it was because of your mother and the bastard she carried around the same time my mother was pregnant with me.”
Austin felt a dull ache settle in his chest; he knew what it was like to be abandoned by his father.
“My mother, Mary-Ann, worked house after house to feed me,” Leonard went on as he stared at a family portrait of Dominic, Selina, and their children. Austin felt a deep sense of uneasiness. “Because of all her hard work, she aged before her time. And then she died.”
“I am sorry for your loss,” Austin said and he genuinely was sorry as he thought about his own mother.
Leonard snorted, his head snapped towards Austin and pure hatred reflected in his eyes. “I do not need your pity!” he hissed.
“It is not pity,” Austin said calmly. “My words come from a place of understanding.”
“Ha! I suppose you do understand. But I made a promise to my mother before she died. I promised her that I would take my rightful place as the true Duke of Windemere.” Leonard smirked and Austin felt his blood go cold.
“You are the blackmailer.” It was not a question.
Leonard laughed triumphantly, it was a humorless sound that gave Austin the answer he needed.
“I had some help, of course.” Leonard squared his shoulders proudly.
Austin stilled. He was sure that there were two. Was the other blackmailer in the house with them? He thought about Deena who was working in the drawing room alone and away from him. His jaw clenched.
“Do not worry. She is not with me.” Leonard read his mind.
“Who isshe?” Austin demanded. “And did you blackmail my wife as well?”
Leonard’s eyes gleamed. “But of course it was me.”
Austin’s blood ran cold.
“You see, I worked as a gardener at a convent. That is what real men do. They work and do not sit around in their grand houses attending lavish balls.” Leonard spoke as if he were addressing himself to a child. “That is where I saw her.Your wifehelped a certain lady escape to meet a man.”
Austin forced himself to remain calm as all the pieces fell into place.
“I grew up with those nuns,” Leonard said. “One of them was my closest ally, and she gave me all the information I needed about Lady Deena and her friend. It is this very ally who agreed to write letters to Lady Deena. But I am the one who wrote to you.”
Austin’s hands curled into fists. He leaned in. The only barrier between them was an oak table, and he was grateful for it.
“My wife did not deserve that,” he growled.
Leonard shrugged nonchalantly. “None of you deserves mercy.”
“You dare speak of deserving?” Austin snapped. “You dare?—”
“You ruin lives!” Leonard interrupted. “You and your precious wife hurt people. And you walk away untouched because of your titles.”
“You do not know Deena or me,” Austin said fiercely.
“I know enough to take you down,” Leonard sneered. “Your wife. And your mother. All of you are scum!”
“Do not speak of my mother!” Austin growled.
Leonard scoffed. “Your mother bore another man’s child, and yet she lived a good life while my mother suffered.”
“She endured the same pain as your mother,” Austin shot back. “The same betrayal and abandonment.”
Leonard’s eyes flashed indignantly. “And yet through it all, you and your mother had comfort, while we had nothing at all.”
Austin understood his anger and pain. If he knew about them, he would have helped, but his father never spoke about anything or anyone else. And despite it all, Leonard’s actions proved that he did not want peace.
