Page 72 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

They made their farewells quickly, Veer hovering anxiously in the doorway as if afraid Rowan might change his mind about leaving him breathing.

Once outside, Felix waited until they were in the carriage before speaking.

“Back to London,” Rowan instructed the driver, then settled back against the seat.

“Well?” Felix demanded. “What did you learn? Did he confess?”

“He did.” Rowan pulled out the receipt. “Someone named Edward Bentern paid him to arrange my abduction. Twelve hundred pounds.”

Felix whistled low. “A substantial sum. This Bentern must have wanted you gone quite badly.”

“The name means nothing to me. It might be false.”

“And Veer claims he never met this mysterious benefactor?”

“Everything was handled through intermediaries and his accountant, George Latham in Plymouth.” Rowan stared at the receipt as if it might reveal more secrets. “We’ll need to pay Mr. Latham a visit.”

“Did Veer say why someone wanted you gone?”

“He claims he doesn’t know. Just that I needed to disappear temporarily.” Rowan’s jaw clenched. “He thought I’d be treated well and released after a few months.”

“The man’s either a fool or a liar.”

“Both, most likely. But I believe he truly didn’t know the full extent of what would happen.” The memory of Veer’s terror seemed genuine. “He was desperate, drowning in gambling debts.”

“That excuses nothing,” Felix said sharply.

“No, it doesn’t.” Rowan folded the receipt carefully. “But it means he was a tool, not the architect. Someone elseorchestrated this, someone with enough money and influence to arrange a duke’s disappearance.”

“Edward Bentern.” Felix tested the name. “It does sound false, doesn’t it?”

“It does. But there must be a trace, some way I could find who is behind that name.”

“So what will you do?” Felix asked.

“Find Latham. Follow the money. Someone, somewhere, knows who Edward Bentern really is.” Rowan’s expression hardened. “And when I find them, they’ll learn what it costs to steal a year of a man’s life.”

“And Veer?”

“His children didn’t deserve to suffer for their father’s crimes.” Rowan thought of the little girl with her shy smile, the boy’s eager questions about their travels. “But he’ll spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder, wondering if today is the day I change my mind.”

“A fitting punishment for a coward,” Felix agreed. “Though I’m surprised you didn’t beat him senseless.”

“I wanted to.” Rowan flexed his fingers, remembering the urge to strike. “But that would have been satisfaction without purpose. The receipt is worth more than revenge.”

“Practical. Selina’s influence, perhaps?”

Rowan shot him a sharp look. “What does my wife have to do with this?”

“Oh, nothing direct. But you seem less inclined toward immediate violence since your marriage. More thoughtful in your responses.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“Am I?” Felix smiled knowingly. “The old Rowan would have pummeled first and questioned later. Marriage has mellowed you.”

“The old Rowan hadn’t spent a year learning patience aboard a naval vessel,” Rowan countered.

“If you say so.” Felix’s tone suggested he wasn’t convinced. “Speaking of your duchess, what will you tell her about this trip?”

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