Page 79 of Her Heart's Rightful Earl

‘Of course, Carrington. What is it?’ Alexander asked with increasing concern.

‘The magistrate sent word to advise that Marcus has been declared mentally unfit for trial and committed to Bedlam.’

Alexander, Margaret, and Arabella looked at each other in absolute shock.

‘I understand this will bring mixed emotions …’ Thomas looked guardedly between them, unsure of how to balance empathy and bitterness. ‘He will not face justice for the murders he committed …’

‘But he was very unwell,’ Arabella justified, placating Margaret and searching her husband’s eyes for his reaction.

‘It is only right,’ Alexander nodded assertively, ‘that his mental illness is recognized, and taken into account. He will never leave Bedlam, and so it is a prison sentence, of sorts.’

‘His tortured mind is the worst kind of jail,’ Margaret added sadly. ‘May God forgive his wretched sins and may his mind be peaceful.’

Arabella and the two men nodded in mournful agreement.

Margaret lifted her eyes to them all. ‘But this is your wedding!’ she announced cheerily. ‘Go and dance!’

Arabella squeezed Alexander’s hand in anticipation of their future together.

‘The fear is over,’ she told him.

Alexander nodded as they left the veranda to rejoin the party. ‘Now we can truly begin.’

THE END ?