Edward didn’t care. Both of his siblings needed to grow the hell up.
Edward dragged himself to his feet. “Stand up,” he said to his brother.
Warily, William stood, raising his fists as if prepared for another round of blows. Charlotte stood between them, hands on hips, jaw set in determination, ready to physically block any further attack.
But Edward didn’t want to fight anymore. He’d been fighting with his brother for years. It was over. He was done. If William wouldn’t learn that his actions had consequences, couldn’t bring himself to operate with the maturity required of a man his age, then Edward had no more time for him.
“Tomorrow I will be purchasing a commission for you. You will join the army. Perhaps they can teach you what I could not.” Perhaps they could succeed where Edward had failed.
William shook his head, eyes wide. “I won’t.”
“You will. Because you are cut off. Your allowance is gone, your lines of credit will be closed. You are not welcome in any of my homes. I will contact White’s and Boodle’s and any other clubs you’re a member of and instruct them not to admit you. Youarecut off.”
Charlotte gasped, her mouth dropping open. William stumbled backward. “You wouldn’t,” he said in disbelief.
“It’s done. Pack your things tonight. General Hastings will be expecting you tomorrow.”
William took several steps forward but halted just out of Edward’s reach. “You would have me waste my life in battle?”
No. Edward would have William home and happy and whole. But if William continued on this path, it would only be a matter of time before he ended up a drunk, or worse, in another man’s sights in a duel. “You’re wasting your life here.”
William shook off his sister’s hand and marched out of the room, but not before Edward saw tears roll down his brother’s face. It was not how he wanted things to happen, but there was no other choice.
Charlotte stepped close enough to him that she had to crane her neck to meet his gaze. “I will never, ever forgive you for this. You are dead to me.” Then, with a swish of her skirts, she followed William.
If he had the time, Edward would listen to the sound of his own heart breaking and question his choices—his siblings’ happiness had been his sole focus since the day their father had died.
If he had the time, he would think about how much it hurt to lose them.
If he had the time, but he didn’t, because unless he could find a way to fix all this, Fiona would soon face a magistrate, charged with treason.
The noose that was primed to wrap around her neck, wrapped around his heart and tightened.
Chapter 34
Fiona shivered. She had been thrown into a small, dark cell with no light, no overcoat, and no blanket.
And she’d waited.
William’s words echoed in her head:Wilde will be there soon.
Every time a footstep had fallen in the corridor that led to her cell, every time she heard a mumble of voices, her heart leapt. But it had been hours, and the longer the night got, the more the chill seeped into her bones, the more she began to doubt.
Yes, Edward was a duke, but maybe this problem was bigger than him. They were treason charges, after all. Maybe it was a problem he didn’twantto solve. He hadn’t come to court when she was charged with disturbing the peace. Maybe this scandal was a step too far for a man whose life had been dedicated to rebuilding the esteem of his family name.
Maybe Edward wasn’t coming.
She had tried to sleep but sleep wouldn’t come. The hiss of the ballroom had followed her to her cell, setting up in her head and refusing to dissipate. Her chest felt tight, and she couldn’t draw in a full breath. She tried to focus on dragging in a stream of air, but it felt thin, as if it lacked what was necessary to keep her alive.
Wilde will be there soon.
Yes. Maybe. Then, where was he?
There was a sharp clang of keys in the door, and with a rusty squeak, the door opened.
Edward. Thank God.He hadn’t forsaken her. Who else would be here for her at this hour? Well past midnight but before the dawn?
Two guards entered—one stood with a baton held at the ready, the other knelt to unlock the shackles around her ankles. The shackles on her wrists remained in place. She was pulled to her feet roughly and almost stumbled. She could barely feel her feet from the cold.
