Page 105 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
She visibly swallowed and nodded, lowering her gaze.
“He was killed the same way the late duke died,” she finally confessed. “A fatal blow to the skull.”
Nicholas’ eyes widened in shock, the odd dream flooding back to him.
Did Balfour go back to kill my father afterward? Was that merely a dream or a vision?
He recalled the captain and the house secretary staring at him as he slept the day he had returned from the towns on business. It was difficult to know what was real and what was merely a reverie.
Whatever the case, he could see that Rose was tormented by the tale she spun, her convictions strong. He could not deny that she had been locked away nor that Balfour and his mother had misled him into thinking that she had been taken from Rosecliff.
Could my mother be party to such deviance?
Nicholas would not bear the thought. No matter how rigid the duchess might seem, she had no ill will inside her.
No,Nicholas thought firmly.Whatever was done, was done at Balfour’s hand.
“You will rest now,” he told her, gesturing for her to huddle between the sheets as he moved toward the heavy curtains, sealing off the sunshine trickling in through the glass. “I will ensure that Balfour is dealt with swiftly and severely.”
“You do not understand,” she moaned softly, her face wrought with grief. “I brought this plague to Rosecliff. Balfour has come here for collection of the debt which Philip left behind. I am to be faulted for all that has happened!”
Nicholas’ mouth parted but words did not escape as he studied her face.
“Miss Rose,” he gasped after a long moment of silence. “You cannot believe such a thing!”
“It is true!” she wailed. “If I had not come to Buford, Balfour would never have followed. Tragedy shadows me!”
Nicholas could not believe what he was hearing, his ire mounting with every passing second.
This man has destroyed everything he touches. He ruins lives and divides families. He shall not go unpunished for his crimes.
“You are not responsible for how that man has deceived and bamboozled us! How could you possibly ponder such nonsense?”
Rose eyed him, her face displaying the naked doubt she felt.
“I cannot help but feel if not for me – “
“Not another word on the matter,” Nicholas interjected. “When I lay my hands on that man, God help me…”
He was finding it difficult to breathe in his anger.
“He is dangerous!” Rose cried, her face growing more waxen. “You dare not approach him alone!”
“Shh, sweet Rose,” he murmured, reaching forward to brush a strand of matted hair from her face. “I am the duke, or have you forgotten?”
“I have not forgotten,” she muttered. “Tis why the captain wishes you to meet the same demise as…”
She stopped speaking abruptly, as if the words were too much and shook her head.
“You must trust in me,” he insisted, his fingers tracing the lines of her face affectionately. “If what you say is true, he must be exposed.”
Their eyes met and Rose pursed her lips together.
“Nicholas,” she breathed. “You cannot find yourself alone with him. I do not believe he works without assistance but I do not know for certain who his allies might be.”
Again, her stare darted away and Nicholas knew she had her suspicions but did not wish to speak ill of his mother. He did not force the matter but he had ideas of his own who might be Balfour’s accomplice.
“Rest now,” he repeated, reluctantly pulling his hand from her pale cheek. “When you see me next, all will be well.”
