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“The fires were bad. Very bad. But my steward…Dawson is brilliant. We’ve come up with a way to recuperate the losses. It will just take some time. It was an utter mess, though.” He rubbed his temple where a faint megrim was building. He occasionally got them after the accident. “And the oddest thing…both Dawson and I had the suspicion that the fire…hadn’t been an accident.”
He glanced at his friend—who was grimacing. Rafe frowned.
“About that.”
Rafe’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean, about that?” Because that sounded very much like Derek knew something.
“I hadn’t said anything because you were still recovering. And it’s not as though it changes anything at this point. But…” He licked his lips and met Rafe’s gaze. “The fire wasn’t an accident. Neither was your curricle crash. And I know who was responsible.”
Rafe’s jaw went slack. “I-I beg your pardon?”
“It was Wentworth,” Derek said. His tone was quiet, but it was lethal. The fury burning in his green eyes could maim, it was that strong. “And you weren’t the only one. He nearly succeeded in killing Livy and her aunt. He used fire there as well.”
Rafe opened and closed his mouth. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The fires. His accident. All purposeful attacks. And apparently, he wasn’t the only victim.
“But that’s all been handled.” Derek forced a grin. “Wentworth is no longer a problem.”
“Yes…I heard of his passing.” He studied his friend. “Interesting timing.”
Derek rolled his lips in and tossed his head back and forth. “One could say that.”
The details of the article slowly came back to Rafe. “He died…at his shipping warehouse. In a fire.”
“Ironic.”
“Is it?”
The sardonic grin Derek sent him was more snarl than smile. “You do not harm my family and live to tell the tale.”
“It would appear Grandmama is not the only protective one.” He and Derek hadn’t ever shied away from a fight, but he hadn’t realized his mate was capable of murder. It would appear that was one more thing he and Derek had in common. There was nothing Rafe wouldn’t do if someone harmed or attempted to harm his family. He’d been weak and helpless for too long in his life.
“You have no idea, mate. When it comes to Livy… When it comes to you and Dorothea… I’d burn the world.”
Rafe met Derek’s resolute gaze. He held up his fist. “Likewise. And I include Olivia in that now as well.”
A true smile curled Derek’s lips, and he tapped his fist to Rafe’s.
“I think you’re going to come to really like her.”
Rafe’s heart shriveled up in his chest, but he kept his lips tilted upward. “I’m sure I will. The woman who tamed the Marquess of Dunmore only deserves respect and admiration.”
Derek sat back with a contented sigh. “Isn’t that the truth? Same will be said for the woman who tames the Iron Duke.” He shot Rafe a grin. “If that’s even possible.”
Rafe swallowed and glanced at the letters on the side table until his attention fell on the impersonal signature.
Dawson.
It was very much possible.
She was just as incredible as one would assume she’d be.
And just as devastating.
42
Theo
“I promise you, I’m the Duke’s steward. If you would just inform—”
