Keaton arched a brow. “What? Was I unworthy to bear the title?”
Edric took a deep breath. “No, of course not, Your Grace. I have always been loyal to Westvale. Even in my brother's time.”
“This is not loyalty, Uncle,” Keaton said in a whisper.
He spun away. The sound of Thorne running across the gravel ahead gave him pause. This time, it was Edric who caught Keaton's arm.
“Where are you going?” he demanded, desperate.
Keaton swung his cane into his uncle’s breastbone, anger flaring bright and hot. “You arranged for my carriage to be intercepted, but a young hero interrupted your plan, and it cost him his life.Elias Roseton, brother of my soon-to-be wife. There was no accident, was there?”
Edric was silent for a long moment. Keaton could feel his shock.
“It was Major Billy Glasgow...” he began uncertainly, “who has never been brought to justice. I did not want you to waste your life in a pointless quest to—”
“It was not! I have spoken to the man. He found your hired men setting light to the carriage in which I rode. Destroying the evidence. Deny it and I will strike you down, Swinthorpe!” Keaton roared, facing his uncle, dropping his cane and seizing his lapels, before hauling him to the tips of his toes. Strangled sounds croaked from his uncle as Keaton's grip switched to his throat.
“You were not fit to be Duke. You were too weak! Damn you, you are still too weak! You've let that woman wrap you around her little finger, her and her damnable family!”
Keaton felt an overwhelming release at the confession. He released Edric, letting him stumble to the wooden flooring. Bending down, he took up his cane, then turned and strode towards the carriage.
“Don't turn your back on me, boy!” Edric roared from on the floor.
“The pistol is loaded, Lord Swinthorpe,” Thorne stated calmly, “and I am an excellent shot.”
Keaton did not break stride. He ushered Amelia into the carriage and then ascended himself.
“Paddington Lodge,” he ordered, “and keep your eyes peeled. I fear some dark work is underway and Georgia is already at the heart of it.”
CHAPTER 32
Georgia watched the countryside roll by into gathering darkness. The tall hedges hemmed in the road. Birds flitted from the thick cover of blackthorn and buckthorn, bouncing through the air ahead of the carriage. The air was cooling, becoming fresh after the day's heat. She sat forward, stomach clenched and fingers drumming on the carriage door.
Are you there, Elias? Am I to finally say goodbye to my brother?
Tears pricked at her eyes, a sense of dawning loss opened within her. She realized that while she had told herself that Elias must be dead, the hope had never truly died. Now, finally, it had. Grief threatened to sweep over her like a flooding river. She clung to the solid wood of the carriage, holding on for just a while longer.
Until I must finally let go, but not until I am safe in Keaton's arms.
It suddenly occurred to her that it felt as if they had been driving for a long time. She frowned. Surely it could not take this long to circumnavigate the northern half of London.
“Where are we, driver?” she called out.
No response.
She lowered the window and looked up. The man wore a long overcoat with the collar turned up. A tall hat was planted on his head, and a scarf was wrapped around the lower half of his face.
“Driver?” Georgia called up again, half leaning out of the window, “Where are we?”
His eyes never left the road ahead, but he lashed the reins, spurring the team of horses to greater effort. The carriage lurched and bounced along. Suddenly, it was careening around a bend, feeling as though it was lifting off two of its wheels briefly. Georgia was flung back into the carriage with a yelp. She landed on the floor with a thump, the back of her hand knocking against the opposite door.
“Driver!” she chided, pulling herself to her feet with difficulty.
Looking out, she saw the hedges fall away. The road led across a heath, tall grass interspersed with clumps of trees. It flew across the shadowed landscape, bouncing dangerously on its leather straps. Georgia clung to the door tenaciously.
Something was very wrong here.
On the horizon, a lone house was visible, dark and silent, glowering over the country around it. Was that their destination? If so, why was the driver taking the road so recklessly? What was his hurry?
