Page 67 of Her Heart's Rightful Earl
This was no incidental attack,Arabella thought.Someone orchestrated my capture, knowing exactly how to separate me from help. This trap was designed specifically for me.
Chapter 24
Thomas had successfully secured Alexander’s passage into the Wellwood residence by distracting the household staff with various requests that diverted them from the east wing, where Thomas then whisked Alexander discreetly in.
Alexander quickly opened the door to the sitting room without knocking, closed it promptly, and locked it before turning to see his mother sitting across the room in a rocking chair, with a crocheted powder blue blanket slung over her lap.
Alexander felt a compassionate twinge of pity as he looked at his frail mother. Her eyes alighted on her son, standing in the room as though he had burst back into life from the place he existed only in her memory.
To Alexander’s distinct surprise, Margaret stood directly; the blanket falling unbidden to the floor. She stepped over it in a spritely manner and approached him with shocking vitality, and Alexander stepped back in awe.
‘Alexander! My beautiful son!’ Margaret came to him and embraced him with the strength of a woman twenty years younger and fitter.
‘Mother!’ Alexander greeted her, pulling her closely, but cautiously, to him. Her frame felt as thin and frail as she looked, but when she pulled away to look up into his face, her eyes were bright and curious.
‘Mother, you should stay seated … you are not well …’ Alexander stammered.
‘Oh, I am as fit as a fiddle!’
‘What?’ Alexander asked in consternation.
‘I wanted to explain to you that first evening you appeared here, but then Arabella discovered you, and it all fell apart …’
‘I do not understand–’
‘I am medically sound, Alexander. I have no pain nor ailment.’
‘But I attended solely to see you again, believing you to be on your deathbed. Thomas told me–’
‘And Thomas was being honest, for that was what I told him! I had to maintain the lie that I was dying to ensure Thomas would send for you!’
‘You knew that I would come?’
‘Of course, my dear boy.’ Margaret’s papery soft hand smoothed over Alexander’s cheek affectionately. ‘We were always close, weren’t we?’
Alexander nodded sadly.
‘I knew you would not be able to stay away if you heard I was sick. I apologize for my dishonesty and manipulation—I would not have used such malicious means had I not considered it essential. Ihadto bring you home, Alexander. Things have gone too far …’
Margaret took her son’s hand in her own and crossed the room, returning to her chair. She indicated Alexander should pull up the upholstered, fringe-trimmed stool next to her, and he did so, intent on hearing what she had to say.
‘In my shock the other evening when you first appeared, I did not have the opportunity to tell you what I have learnt and what I regrettably have come to believe.’
‘Alexander took a deep breath. ‘Tell me.’
‘About your brother.’ Margaret dropped her eyes sadly.
Alexander nodded. ‘What is it you believe, Mother?’
‘On the night your father was killed, I found blood on some garments in Marcus’s room.’
Alexander drew back in shock. Whilst the captain and Thomas had gathered speculative evidence, bloodied garments were solid proof that could not be denied.
‘I told myself it was an animal’s blood from a hunting trip. But he started acting erratically,’ Margaret continued. ‘Fearing the downfall of our estate, I decided to look over the finances to ensure he was taking care of things the way your father would have wished and the way that I knowyouwould have done, had you been granted your rightful status as earl.’
Alexander looked down at their linked hands and gave her palm a tentative squeeze.
‘There were terrible inconsistencies, and it was clear that Marcus was being irresponsible with the accounts. Even then, I told myself it was because he never wanted to be earl, and these duties weighed too heavily on him. He was frivolous because, although an academic, he never excelled at applying logic in practicality. I blamed his naivety for so long …’
