Clairemont stared at Celia, taking in the way she lifted her chin in defiance, how she held herself with such strength when he could see the tears sparkling in her eyes. He had never loved her more than in this moment, where she stood toe to toe with a wall of lies and deceptions and faced it down like a warrior woman.
Of course, he was also keenly aware that her tears had been caused by him and only him.
Stalwood cleared his throat and drew Clairemont’s attention back to him. He had never expected his superior to reveal himself. But he was keenly aware that Stalwood was doing it for him, because of their long and personal relationship. He recognized the power of that and appreciated Stalwood’s attempts to help him, even if he feared they would be fruitless.
“Very well, Miss Fitzgilbert,” Stalwood said, “if your guardians believe you should be here, I won’t dare to argue. First, let me restate that no one in my department killed the Duke of Clairemont. He was bludgeoned to death by an unknown party.”
Celia flinched and Clairemont longed to go to her. To take the hand that held Rosalinde’s and pull her in, soothe her. But she refused to look at him. It was like he wasn’t there at all. She took her strength from her sister now. She no longer wanted him.
“Of course, we had to investigate,” Stalwood said, and Clairemont forced his attention back to the very important matters at hand.
He wasn’t surprised that Stalwood was giving Danford all the information now that he’d started down that path. They no longer suspected him, and since Gray already knew part of the truth, it was better to give him all and hope he would become an ally. Though judging from Gray’s angry expression, Clairemont wasn’t certain that was possible.
“Wouldn’t that normally be the purveyance of the guard rather than the Department ofWar?” Gray asked, his voice still hard as steel.
Stalwood inclined his head slightly. “Perhaps under normal circumstances. These were not. What I am about to tell you must never leave this room. Not only was the Duke of Clairemont an important member of Society, but he was…let us say…involved in some damning activities that had attracted our interest for some time.”
“You think therealDuke of Clairemont was involved in some kind of treason?” Rosalinde asked, her voice catching.
Clairemont shook his head and forced himself to speak. “Not think.Know.”
“Then why not simply arrest him?” Gray snapped. “That could have saved everyone the pain that has been caused by your subterfuge.”
Gray shot a glance at Celia, and Clairemont gritted his teeth. His whole body hurt from the tension and self-loathing pumping through him.
Stalwood came to his rescue by replying, “We were aware of him for some time, but couldn’t directly tie him to his suspicions or get close enough to stop him. But it seems someone he was working with killed him. We didn’t know who, but his vast correspondence gave us a great many suspects.”
Gray stepped back. “His vast correspondence?” he repeated. “You mean with me?”
Stalwood nodded. “With you and some others, Mr. Danford.”
“You suspectedmy husband?” Rosalinde asked, her tone filled with outrage. “The man would no sooner consider treason than he would think to cut off his own arm. He is working tofurtherthe Empire, not damage it. How dare you?”
Gray smiled softly at her. “I appreciate the defense, my love, and all you say is true.” He turned his gaze on Clairemont. “But I suppose you had to explore all options. And do youstillsuspect me?”
“No,” Clairemont said firmly, happy at least to be able to say that. It was the only place where he hadn’t betrayed this family entirely. “After connecting with you and some deeper investigation, it became clear that you weren’t involved in the schemes. However, we don’t rule out that Clairemont and men like Perry were using your enterprises to manipulate and plot against king and country.”
Celia slowly stood. She looked toward Clairemont but didn’t meet his gaze.
“That’swhy you got close to me,” she whispered.
“Oh, Celia,” Rosalinde breathed.
Celia shook her off. “You needed to investigate Gray, and a courtship with me would put you in the middle of his home. I was merely a conduit by which to insert yourself.”
She said the words so coldly that Clairemont had to physically restrain himself so he wouldn’t turn away from her words and her demeanor. “Celia—” he whispered.
Stalwood stepped forward. “Miss Fitzgilbert, let me explain something. This man is my best agent. He has saved the lives of hundreds of men and women, both in the field and here at home either through direct or indirect action. He is a hero.”
Clairemont dipped his head, loving the man for trying, but knowing he didn’t deserve such praise. Especially now.
“That is well and good, but you will not convince me that manipulating my sister is an act of heroism,” Rosalinde said with a glare that could have frozen Stalwood’s heart.
Stalwood ignored her. His focus was still on Celia. “When the idea of courting you to further our motives came up, I assure you, he was entirely against the idea.Iinsisted.”
Celia’s jaw worked, like she was digesting that idea. But still she didn’t look at Clairemont. “Why?” she asked.
Stalwood folded his arms. “As you suggested, it was in order to get closer to Danford, yes. But also because the return of the Duke of Clairemont to Society caused a bit more of a stir than we anticipated it would. All eyes were suddenly on him, the attention so intense that it kept him from being able to fade into the background easily.”
