Page 88 of A Duchess Mistaken
“That is a very serious accusation,” Lord Sutton pointed out in a rather stern tone of voice.
George looked grimly at him and nodded. “Yes, my lord. And it is not one I would ever make lightly. I had my suspicions for some time but because I was under Lord Reeds’ employ, I did not let myself look any further into it. That was before I fell in love with Caroline. Before she told me about the circumstances surrounding her parents death.”
This time, it was Agnes who audibly gasped. “Surely you are not suggesting…”
“That Lord Reeds is responsible for the death of Caroline’s parents? That is exactly what I am saying.”
“Lies!” Lord Reeds exclaimed. “Nothing but slanderous lies!”
“If you have any evidence to support your claim, sir,” Christopher spoke up, sounding rather serious, “I think now is the time for you to state them.”
“Nothing he says should be taken seriously—” Lady Reeds began hastily but George spoke over her.
“The first thing of note was what happened before the accident,” he said. “I had been finishing up my work in the stables rather late, far after many of the other servants had retired. I was on my way to my quarters when I noticed someone leaving the house. A rather unsavory character that I have never seen around before. He was being shown out by Lord Reeds himself but they did not seem to be parting on good terms. It seemed Lord Reeds was upset that the man had the gall to show himself at his home while the man was upset with the fact that he had not yet been paid. I did not stay to hear the rest of the conversation, afraid that I would be found, but I did wonder what business Lord Reeds could have with a man of such shady character.”
“That proves nothing,” Lord Reeds protested angrily. Had Johnathan not been standing between them, he didn’t doubt that the earl would attempt lunging at George again to shut him up.
“Admittedly, that does not give us any reason to believe that what you are accusing the earl of may be true,” Lord Sutton stated.
George looked at him and nodded. “I thought the same thing. Even when Caroline arrived a few weeks later, and I heard of the rumors of her parents’ death, I did not think that there was any correlation at first. But then I grew close with Caroline. It was not my intention to. Not at first. I was well aware that a man like me should never make his presence known before a lady like her. But I found myself falling for her before we even exchanged words and when she showed interest in me, I could not get myself to stop. But as we grew closer and she began to confide in me about her parents’ death, the memory of that night came back to me. So I looked around, did a bit of digging, and found the man from that night. I approached him at a pub and got him drunk enough that he did not think twice about boasting about the money he made from causing the death of two nobles. I did not have to ask him who they were. I doubt he even knew. From then on, I knew that the earl had to be the person behind the accident.”
“Lies!” the earl protested. “Nothing but fabricated lies.”
“I would never lie about something like this!” George barked back. “I could not say a word until I was certain about this, fearing what it may do to Caroline.”
What it was doing to Caroline was no small thing, Johnathan noticed. She was devoid of color, standing so still he wasn’tsure she was breathing. The tears in her eyes ran unhindered, replacing whatever dripped down her chin.
“Uncle, how could you?” she murmured.
“How could you believe anything this man says?” Lord Reeds demanded to know. “He is clearly trying to turn us against each other.”
“I do not think she needs any help with that,” Paul muttered from his spot by the wall, still holding on to Irene as if he was afraid she would sway again.
Lord Reeds looked helplessly around, his expression moving from angry to defeated. Everyone believed George’s words. It was clear in the silence that followed, the heavy weight that hung in the air. Johnathan just waited for him to crack under the pressure.
“What I did does not matter!” he screeched at last. “They were old anyway! They would have died of consumption or typhoid within the years. I only saved them, and you, Caroline, from the inevitable pain.”
“You killed my parents!” Caroline cried. “Why?”
“She could have none of her own!” Lord Reeds pointed an accusing finger at Lady Reeds. “You were our only option. And it happened years ago! Surely you cannot be upset about people you have only known half your life.”
“You are horrible!” Agnes gasped.
“Oh, more horrible than your duke?” Lord Reeds asked in a taunting voice. “Has he told you about the things he’d done to cover up his truth?”
“I promise you, Lord Reeds, that I do not care about whatever you plan on saying next.”
Agnes had quite a knack for making the earl grow red with anger. “Then perhaps everyone else would be interested to know. Or perhaps I should march right out into that ballroom and tell everyone that the late duke killed himself because he could not handle all the debt he was in!”
Lord Reeds laughed victoriously, clearly expecting everyone to rally behind him in alarm and disgust at the late duke’s actions. But if they were surprised, they did not show it. At least, Johnathan was not any more aware of it than he was his own simmering rage.
Lord Reeds faltered at the silence that met his words. “Did you not hear me? I said that the late duke?—”
“We heard you, Lord Reeds,” Paul spoke up, his voice cold. “Do you expect us to applaud you for telling us such a thing?”
Johnathan was having a hard time hearing what was being said. Blood roared in his ears, his heart racing with rage. He glared atLord Reeds, contemplating the consequences of grabbing him by the collar and planting his fist in his cheek.
Irene brushed by him. The sight of her surprised Johnathan enough for him to forget his rage for a moment. Eyes watched her walk by, her stride slow, her hands clenched at her side. She simply approached Lord Reeds without a word.
