“You’re right, of course, my dear,” the earl said in a softer voice.
“After you,” Sebastian said belligerently, gesturing for Gray to precede him down the stairs.
Sighing in resignation over what would be a tense scene, Gray followed Jenna’s parents down the stairs. They turned in the opposite direction of the drawing room, past what looked like the earl’s study and out the French windows to the garden.
The earl rounded on him as soon as they were out the door. “Now, I’d like an explanation. Who are you and how do you explain two shootings in my house?”
Gray stared defiantly back at the earl. “I am Grayson Douglas. Viscount Dudley shot Jenna in your drawing room.”
The four reacted in shock and the earl looked as if he’d been struck full in the face. “Say that again?”
“Viscount Dudley shot your daughter.”
“Why would Lord Dudley shoot the woman his son is betrothed to?” the earl asked in disbelief. “And in my home no less!”
“Was it an accident?” Lady Penbury asked anxiously.
God, what would he tell them? If he told them what went on, they would demand to know how he was so acquainted with the details of Jenna’s betrothal, and more importantly how he came to be at their home when Jenna was shot.
“No, it wasn’t an accident, my lady. He meant to kill her.”
A collective gasp echoed through the small garden. The countess swayed precariously, and the earl drew her into his arms to steady her.
“Why?” the earl bit out. “And did you shoot the viscount?”
Gray let out a heavy sigh. This was indeed a complicated mess. “Stuart shot his father after he shot Jenna.”
“Dear God,why?” Blatant incredulity etched the earl’s face. “Start from the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”
Gray slowly began with Margaret’s visit to him earlier that morning and his rush to make sure Jenna was in no danger. He related the scene he had burst in on then Stuart’s arrival and Jenna being shot. When he finished, the earl and countess were both pale.
Even Sebastian and Quinn were speechless.
“I have many, many questions, most of which will wait until I’ve spoken with Stuart, and the viscount’s body is no longer lying on my floor,” the earl said. “But the one most pressing in my mind is how you came to be acquainted with Jenna, and why a maid from my household would go to you when she thought Jenna to be in trouble rather than enlisting the aid of her brothers.”
“I am not sure you want me to answer that, my lord.”
Anger flared in his eyes. “Don’t bandy words, Mr. Douglas. If I didn’t want to know, I wouldn’t have asked.”
“Very well.” Gray studied the four figures in front of him, seeing the mixture of worry, anger and confusion on their faces. Her brothers were already glaring at him, and Sebastian stood with his arms crossed, tapping his foot expectantly. “Jenna and I became lovers in your absence.”
The earl exploded forward even as the countess’s face twisted in horror. Gray barely had time to duck the fist the earl threw at his face. It grazed his chin and snapped his head back.
“You bastard!”
“Pen! Stop it at once,” the countess cried, grabbing his arm before he could throw another punch.
“Leave off,” he growled at his wife. “Did you not hear what he said? He’s seduced our daughter like a common whore.”
“He said no such thing,” she said softly. “He said they became lovers. It hints at participation on the part of our daughter. At any rate, wouldn’t it be better to hear the whole of the story before you resort to brute force?”
“Devil take it, Catherine! What would you have me do, pat him on the back?”
The earl’s jaw was working furiously as he sought to control his anger. Gray eyed him cautiously, ready to fend off another blow. His gaze flitted over Jenna’s brothers who were standing a lot closer to him than they had been a few moments ago.
“I merely wish to hear the full story before the beating takes place,” Lady Penbury said calmly.
The earl sighed in exasperation but unclenched his fist, uncurling his fingers and flexing them. “Well?” he demanded, staring venomously at Gray. “What have you to say?”
