Tuttleford was sputtering now. “That’s absurd. You have no proof.” He glared at me. “Your mother died in a carriage accident. How dare you make such unfounded accusations. I will have you arrested for slander.”
“Funny thing, that,” Rexford interrupted. “We found the carriage driver you paid to disappear. Clearly, you didn’t pay him enough.”
Lord Brantford nodded to a group of men seated nearby, and a few gentlemen stood and came to join us.
I took a step forward, daring to defy Tuttleford for the first time in my life, and slapped him. His face turned red, mottled with rage, and he raised a hand to strike me.
Rexford grabbed his arm, stopping him. He leaned forward then. “You should thank me since I just saved your life.” He turned to look at Clifton. “Do you have anything to add?”
Clifton’s voice was a low menace. “You will be taken to the Tower. Your estate will be stripped from you. Your wife will be banished, and everyone will know that you are a murderer.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “And you can be certain that I will be paying you a visit in the Tower. Just the two of us. We have a few things to discuss.” He turned to look at me. “Diana?”
I shook my head. “I have nothing to say. You can take him away.”
Three men escorted him. Two on either side had him clasped within their firm grips, and a third followed behind. I watched him go and closed my eyes finally when he disappeared from view.
Clifton’s low voice brought me back. “It is done, Diana.”
I smiled up at him. Aside from that morning in Gretna Green, this was the best day of my life. “Yes, it is.”
CHAPTER 31
DIANA
I gasped when I read the note then went in search of my husband. I found him in his study, going over accounts that his steward had been imploring him to review. He glanced up at me in surprise when I rushed into the room without knocking.
I placed my hands on my hips. “I received a note from Caroline just now. She and her husband have returned from their wedding trip.” I narrowed my eyes. “Apparently, they returned yesterday. And since you were at King’s, you would have heard the news.”
He put down his quill and leaned back in his chair. “I did hear something to that effect. Did I not mention it to you?”
I threw my arms up. “No, you didn’t.”
“Well, Diana, I’m happy to tell you that Kendrick and Caroline have returned.”
I shook my head, exasperated. “I know. As I just mentioned, I received a note from Caroline to wish us felicitations on our marriage. She also asked us to call on them by noon so she and Kendrick can see us in person.”
Clifton glanced up at the ceiling. “Perhaps they think I’ve somehow deceived you and wish to rescue you from your horrible situation living in sin with me.”
The way his eyes were shining when he looked at me again told me he was deliberately hoping to get a rise out of me.
“We’re leaving now. Put away whatever it is you’re working on. Your steward will have to wait another day.”
He let out an exaggerated breath. “If you insist. I’ve already been subjected to torment from the others. I might as well get Kendrick out of the way now.”
I looked at him over my shoulder on my way out of the room. “I’ll make it up to you later.” I always did, after all.
Twenty minutes later, we were standing on the doorstep outside of Kendrick’s townhouse. Clifton had his arm around my waist when the butler opened the door. He looked between the two of us then met my gaze.
“They are waiting for you in the dining room.”
I turned to Clifton, surprised. “She didn’t say this was a luncheon. Although, I suppose I am a little hungry.”
When Clifton shook his head, clearly amused, I wanted to ask him what was going through his mind. But he propelled me down the hallway in front of him before I had the chance.
The last time I was in this house, I’d arrived with the Tuttlefords. Caroline and Kendrick had just gotten married, and we were attending their wedding breakfast. I could hardly believe that was almost one month ago. My life had changed in every way imaginable.
When I’d spoken to Clifton then, I’d never even considered it possible that a world could exist wherein we’d be married.
I thanked the butler, who was waiting outside the dining room and proceeded inside. I’d been expecting it to be just the four of us, so it came as a shock to find that wasn’t the case. I scanned the faces of everyone present and realized that all of the Legends were here, as were Caroline and Victoria.
