Page 73 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
Edward frowned. “You?—”
“Iwill tell you.” Pemberton interrupted. “So, we had tea and he asked me about the lay of the land. I told him as much as I was able. Three months later, he called me back. He told me of the strip of land the English meant to acquire. I told them that Master Smith would not sell his land for love or money. Furthermore, knowing how much the English wanted it, he’d grown wary and hired men to secure his person, the title, and the land. These men were not just guards, they were French and so had a stake in keeping the English away.”
“So why did they think my brother could get close?”
“Because there was a connection between Master Smith and your father in that the late Duke once saved his life. As a result, he was friendly with your brother and knew that your brother was a man of integrity. It had to be your brother because he could get close to the man.”
“I see,” Edward nodded, a frown on his face.
“Your brother, when told of the mission, was profoundly disturbed—or so he told me.”
“Of course, he was,” Edward said.
Pemberton sighed. “I was brought in as a threat. Kill the man or else. I lied before and said it was the French who hired me because I didn’t know if I could trust you with the truth.” Pemberton smiled ruefully. “Your brother…” He shook his head. “There was something about him, that drew people in. He knew my job, eventually, when I confessed to him, but he didn’t turn his back on me.” He looked Edward in the eye. “You should know that I tried everything in my power to persuade Jonathan to go ahead with the kill.”
Edward shook his head. “Once his mind was made up, no one could persuade Jonathan to change his mind.”
“I learned that quickly. I tried to make him run, but he said he could never desert.” Pemberton sighed, “So I tried to give himtime. I reported to the Home Office that I was working on him—that eliminating him would be premature. I tried to save his life.”
“It didn’t work.”
“No. It did not work. I left for Marseille, and when I came back, your brother was dead. I went to Sandringham. I shouted at him. I said, ‘I was working on him.’ He told me that people got impatient. One of their agents apparently took matters into their own hands. That’s what Sandringham told me.”
“Do you know which agent?”
He sighed. “I know it was a nobleman, and he was working at the Home Office at the time. Sandy blonde hair and watery blue eyes.” He snorted, “I suppose that must describe a lot of people in England.”
“Do you think he did take matters into his own hands?”
“Absolutely not. Sandringham gave the order. I am a good judge of when someone is telling lies. Sandringham lied to me.”
Edward took a deep breath and nodded. “I see.”
Pemberton gave him a keen look. “What will you do now?”
Edward flicked his eyes up and gave Pemberton a look. He got to his feet. “Nothing that concerns you. Now, I have one final request I’d like to make.”
The Marquess quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? And what is that?”
“Let my sister-in-law down gently, would you?”
Pemberton grinned. “The Milanese prince might suit her better, I think.”
Edward gave a short laugh. “Yes, perhaps.”
It took some time after the Marquess and his aunt left to calm everyone down. Edward was pensive, and Margaret was distraught. The Marquess had asked to speak with her privately and had told her that he did not think they were well suited. Margaret did not agree.
“But he didn’t even give us a chance!” she wailed.
Ava patted her consolingly on the back. “Oh darling, don’t you fret. You will find someone who returns your interest. The Marquess was not the one.”
Margaret sighed, “Yes but Ilikedhim.” She leaned her head sadly against Ava’s shoulder.
“There, there.” Ava murmured, patting her gently. Lord Jaxton tried to distract them all with dinner, and Ava was grateful for Lily’s presence. Her non-stop chattering covered a lot of the pensive silence around the table. Ava was quite relieved when it was time for bed, and she and Edward could retire to their quarters.
She sat on the bed, in her nightrail, watching him perform his ablutions, a frown on his face. “What is it?”
He sighed, “Pemberton told me some things that are weighing on my mind.”
