Page 86 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
Edward had expected that it would be an uphill battle to see Sandringham, but to his surprise, the Earl ushered him into his office not ten minutes after he had arrived. “Barrington, I’ve been expecting you. I wanted to extend my commiseration for the dreadful incident you had at your home. They say that Lord Fenton started a fire? It is amazing how mad jealousy can make one.”
Edward looked the Earl in the eye. “I think we both know that is not why Lord Fenton started that fire. He meant to kill me and get rid of any evidence I might have on who actually killed my brother. That is why he started the fire on the second floor where my family were asleep.”
Sandringham frowned. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. Why would Fenton do such a thing?”
“Because you ordered him to,” Edward said baldly.
Sandringham uttered an incredulous huff. “And why would I do such a thing?”
Edward took a step closer to him. “You’re really going to make me say it?”
Sandringham just blinked impassively at him.
“Very well, I shall say it. The Crown ordered the death of my brother to silence him because he would not break the law for you.”
Sandringham laughed, “What a ridiculous thing to say and with no proof.”
“Oh, I have proof, My Lord. I have a letter from the target of your machinations telling of his refusal to sell you his land and the increasing number of threats he received thereafter and his subsequent decision to go into hiding. I have the testimony of the gunman you sent to ‘persuade’ my brother into carrying out the deed. I have letters from my brother’s batman, who was witness to many conversations to do with this matter. I have Fenton’s confession, uttered in front of myself and witnesses, as well as the knife he used to kill my brother. Do you need more?”
Sandringham was looking rather pale. “What do you want?”
Edward gritted his jaw. “Two things—for you to resign your post and for my family to live in peace.”
Sandringham glared at him. “How dare you!”
“Would you rather risk the scandal if all this was exposed? Trust that you can killme, but in the event of my death, this story will go public…internationally. I expect you will be forced to do a lot more than resign then.”
Sandringham glared at him, and he glared right back. He knew he could not blink now or else it would all fall apart. It was important that the Earl understood that there was only one way out of this.
“Fine. I shall do as you ask,” he sighed angrily. “I suppose my properties could use closer supervision.”
“Yes. I understand you have sugarcane plantations in the West Indies. The weather is lovely there all year round.”
Sandringham narrowed his eyes at Edward, gritting his teeth, but he did not say a word of contradiction. “I knew you’d be trouble. I meant to kill you right away, but it would have looked too suspicious. Disfiguring you worked for a while and draining your duchy of funds. Too bad you found a way around that,” he sneered. “When your captain sent you to retrieve that woundedlieutenant, you were supposed to burn up with him in the fire we set. But you escaped, sadly.”
Edward almost staggered backwards in shock as he realized that almost all his troubles could be laid at this man’s feet. “You have until Monday to resign or else I release my evidence,” he said tightly before marching out of the door, his fists clenched from the effort of not punching the Earl.
Martin, the pugilist, was waiting just outside the door. He took one look at Edward’s face and raised an eyebrow. “Want me to go box his ears, Sir?” he asked.
Edward huffed in amusement. “I wish you would, Martin. But no, let’s just go. No need to go finding trouble if it isn’t looking for us.”
Ava and Lily were in the garden, picking flowers for the various vases around the castle when Ava felt a twinge in her belly and had to sit down, panting slightly.
“Mama? What’s wrong?” Lily sounded afraid, so Ava looked up with a smile.
“Nothing’s wrong darling, just… well, I suppose I should tell you that you are to be a big sister. And your little sibling is simply making their presence felt.”
Lily’s eyes widened in wonder. “A baby sister or brother? When are they coming?”
“Oh, in a few months yet.”
“And it’s making you tired?” she asked sympathetically.
“A little. Nothing to worry about. I’m fine. Let’s continue picking flowers.”
“Or I can pick the flowers, and you just sit here.”
“You’re very sweet, Lily. But honestly, I’m fine. I want to pick flowers with you.”
