Lucien’s gentle hand on Elise’s back was unexpected but so welcome. His fingers brushed there, warm through the silk fabric of her gown, connecting them physically so she could share his strength.
And she felt it, pulsing there, flowing through her in this difficult moment where she would have to lay out the humiliation of the months since Toby’s death. But if it saved Felicity, if it spared Stenfax, it would be worth it.
She’d certainly done far worse in order to fulfill those goals of protecting them.
“Ambrose always…wantedme,” she said at last, her heart throbbing so hard in her chest that it hurt. “He made that very clear in both words and deeds for the entire time I was wed to Toby.”
She shivered as she thought of Ambrose cornering her in parlors, insisting on dancing with her. She thought of him whispering inappropriate things to her. Of him making sure he would connect physically with her, despite any protests she made.
When she’d dared mention it to Toby, he’d flown into a rage…ather, and implied she had enticed his cousin. She had kept her anxieties to herself after that.
Stenfax’s fingers gently stroked on, bringing her back to the present, and he whispered, “It’s all right.”
She nodded slowly. He was right, of course. The past she was currently addressing no longer existed. “When my husband died, his cousin began hinting he would like to…” She turned her face and wished she could melt into the ground. “I’m sorry, this is difficult.”
“Take your time,” Dane said, his voice very gentle and deep. It was rather soothing, actually, and without a hint of judgment. It helped.
“Ambrose wanted me in his bed,” she admitted. “I refused, of course, but over time he became more and more insistent that he would have what he wanted since the barrier of his cousin was gone. When he at last told me about the existence of the book, it was clear he wanted to find to use it to compel me to his will.”
Felicity made a soft sound of pain. “I know how difficult it is to live in that kind of constant fear. I’m so sorry, Elise.”
Elise gave her a gentle look, for she knew their two situations had not compared in the slightest. “It isn’t your fault, dearest. I assure you, the only people I blame for this situation are Toby and Ambrose.”
Dane was making notes again, just as he had done when they spoke of Toby’s motives. “So two men with personal reasons to collect secrets. Still wonder about larger implications, but there it is. Now tell me what you know about Roger.”
Elise cleared her throat. This was an easier topic. “I’ve been thinking about that since I was told he murdered Ambrose and took the book. I don’t know him as well, but I do think he’s less emotional than Toby or Ambrose were.”
“How so?” Dane pressed.
She shrugged. “Just more…pragmatic, I suppose. He wasn’t as quick to anger, the situation with the title aside. He took his time more when he responded to things. And even his motives were different when it came to the title.”
“What do you mean, different?” Gray asked.
“I remember Toby making a big fuss over the fact that Roger came from a poor part of the family tree. He and Ambrose were horrible to him when it came to his place. The reason Roger wanted the title so badly after Toby died wasn’t about respect or even power. He was about money. I could see him using anything he uncovered for blackmail to grow his coffers even larger than the funds available to him as duke.”
Dane stopped writing and lifted his gaze. “I see.” He turned without another word and paced to the fire where he seemed to be considering everything he heard. The room was quiet as he did so, everyone seeming to be poised on the edge of a cliff as they awaited his next statement.
Slowly he turned and looked at them. “Are you waiting for me?”
Celia laughed. “Youdohave an air about you, love, that says you’re on the verge of something great.”
Elise smiled at the easy way they interacted. She was still uncertain about Celia Dane, but there was no doubt the young woman adored her husband.
He ran a hand through his hair absently and said, “Oh, well, I may be, but it’s going to take some thinking and some research to get there. If Roger truly is interested in blackmail, though, that may make our job easier. We can trace a money trail better than a wispy guide of vengeance or respect. Tracking money was never my strongest suit, but I can do it.”
Elise let out a long sigh. This seemed to be a terrible nightmare that would never end. Dane couldn’t just wave a wand and magically fix it. Not that she had expected it, but in that moment she realized she had secretlyhopedit would be true.
Stenfax cleared his throat. “Dane, you have something to start with. As for tracking the money, I have some thoughts on how we can make that easier. But for now, I think we should all rest. It was a long two days of travel following a very tense time before. There is weight to this situation and I don’t want anyone collapsing under it.”
Rosalinde smiled gently at Elise, always the first to offer tacit or spoken support. “And there are the final preparations for a wedding to plan anyway. We all need to be well rested for that.”
At that, Stenfax dropped his hand away from Elise’s back. She stiffened at the loss of his support and tried hard to keep her reaction from her face.
Stenfax said, “Yes, of course, the wedding, too. Why don’t we all rest a while and regroup in a bit?”
Dane was looking at his notes. “Yes, I can start gathering this and…”
He roamed from the room absently and Celia laughed. “Well, he’s off to solve a puzzle now. You know, I’m not very tired. Stenfax, perhaps we could speak as the others go up to lay down?”
