“What is it, boy?” Adrian’s father asked, his voice filled with impatience.
“I… I…”
Walden glanced over his shoulder toward Adrian, who glared. Indeed, if the foolish man didn’t confess now, Adrian would beat it out of him.
“Speak up, Walden,” Aunt Beatrice said. “We don’t have all evening to watch you stammer. You have interrupted our conversation, so if you don’t have anything to say, then leave.”
Walden’s shoulders straightened as he pierced his mother with a scowl. “You have always talked down to me as if I’m stupid. But I’m not. If I’m anything, I’m obedient, and… I have had enough of your abuse.”
“Abuse?” Aunt Beatrice’s voice lifted in irritation. “Walden, what has come over you to talk such nonsense?”
“My lord,” Walden continued, looking at Adrian’s father. “I have something to tell you and Lord Hanover.” He inhaled deeply and licked his swollen lips. “Mother wants me to have Collin’s title, and she forced me to create accidents around the manor in order to harm—or kill—my cousins.”
“What?” Adrian’s father jumped to his feet. His eyes widened in shock, but seconds later, he marched toward his sister, grasped her arm, and yanked her out of the chair. “I had a feeling you were behind this. You were always jealous of my sons, but I never thought you would be insane enough to try to kill your own flesh and blood.”
“No,” Aunt Beatrice gasped. “Walden is lying. He’s not right in the head. Never has been, in fact.”
Walden shook his head and glared at his mother. “I will never let you control my life again, witch.”
“Gilbert?” Adrian’s father called. Seconds later, the butler hurried into the room.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Fetch the constable, posthaste. I want these two arrested.” He motioned toward his sister and Walden. “And they are never to enter any of my estates again. They are both dead to me.”
“Father,” Adrian said quickly, moving to his father. “I believe Walden. Knowing how controlling Aunt Beatrice is, we know now what she is capable of. None of this was Walden’s fault. His only crime was going along with what his mother told him to do.”
Adrian’s father’s nostrils flared. The man’s face was still red, and his chest rose and fell quickly from his fast breaths. “Fine, but I never want to see my sister again.”
Collin stomped to the older woman and snatched her wrist. The look he gave her was murderous. “You will never again get the chance to harm me or my family. Iwillmake certain you are thrown in the gaol and the keeper throws away the key to your cell.”
The older woman scowled at Adrian as Collin pulled her out of the room. Adrian couldn’t hide the hurt that he felt, and he hoped guilt would eventually consume her and she would have to live with her mistakes for the rest of her life.
He took Bridget’s hand, lifted it to his mouth, and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “You are absolutely amazing, my love.”
She smiled. “Why do you say that?”
“For two reasons, actually. First, because it was your idea how to get Walden to confess, and secondly, because I have never seen a woman use a slingshot so effectively and effortlessly.”
She chuckled. “You should watch my younger sisters sometime. I’m just an amateur compared to them.”
He laughed. “What am I marrying into?” he said jokingly.
She waggled her brows. “That, my dear Adrian, is just a hint of the adventures awaiting you after we are wed.”
His grin widened. “I cannot wait. Life with you will be a dream come true.”
Epilogue
Bridget couldn’t stopstaring at Adrian. He made such a handsome husband. Of course, it was the love shining in his perfect eyes that caused her heartbeat to flip-flop with happiness. And now they were married, she looked forward to spending a lifetime with him and having his children.
Their wedding had been a big event—not only in their small village but in the neighboring townships—and so many guests attended. The manor was decorated both inside and outside, but the weather was so lovely that she and Adrian had spent most of their time outside. She was introduced to many people and worried she would forget them by the next day.
During a break in the evening when nobody accosted them, Adrian walked her toward the stream that flowed through the yard and to the small bridge over it. Not much was said, and she was certain her husband wanted a private moment just as she did.
Adrian led her to the top of the bridge and stopped on the gentle arch of the wooden structure. Smiling down at her, he stroked her cheek.
“Do you know how happy you have made me?”
