Nathan’s heart was aching again, and this time, he felt sure it was going to snap in two. He couldn’t let go… he couldn’t. Therewas too much anger twisted up inside of him. Too much anger at his father, at Ethan, at himself.
Mostly at himself.
James seemed to read his mind because he shook his head despairingly. “I just hope that you can repair your relationship with Rosalie before it is too late. Because believe me: women do not wait around forever for you to apologize. Think about that.”
And he left the study, leaving Nathan feeling the worst he had in two years.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“So it is about Lord Cain,” Iris announced as she entered the sitting room. “I’ve just had it from Phineas.”
Rosalie looked up. “That was fast,” she commented lightly.
She had been hopeful that her sister would be able to get the information out of her husband, but she hadn’t been expecting it so quickly.
Iris smirked. “Well, Phineas knows that the key to a happy life is a happy wife. And I am not happy if my sisters are unhappy. Plus… well, he’s a romantic. I think he’s hoping that if he helps me, you and Nathan will get back together.”
This made Rosalie narrow her eyes. “There’s little chance of that.”
The fury she had experienced the day before was still coursing through her. In fact, it had only grown stronger as sheremembered all the things her husband had done to control and manipulate her—including marrying her in the first place against her will!
“Well, let’s wait and see on that,” Iris suggested.
“Did you find out anything else about it?” Rosalie asked. “Did Lord Cain also smuggle the opium?”
“Yes,” Iris said. “Apparently he has been importing opium from the Orient onto Redfield’ lands and then exporting it to gangs in London. He started the business when the old Lord Redfield was still alive, and he carried on the work under the son, but he made it out like your husband, the Duke of Carramere, was the one behind it. He played Nathan and Redfield off each other.”
“But why?” Rosalie asked, perplexed. “Surely he knew that it wouldn’t take long for both of them to work out they were innocent? And by then, he would be the only likely suspect.”
“Well, that’s because the opium wasn’t his end goal.” Iris grimaced. “It was you.”
These words sank into Rosalie like a stone sinking to the bottom of a lake. She licked her lips.I knew. That’s what he said at the ball, wasn’t it? ‘I arranged everything so that you and I could finally be together, my love.’
It had all been a bit confusing and hard to follow at the time, but now, it was starting to make sense.
“So, he hoped Nathan would be arrested, and then I would be free to be with him?”
“It appears so,” Iris said, making a face.
“But I don’t want to be with him! Even if I’m not with Nathan, or, God forbid, he’s in prison.”
“Yes…” Iris hesitated. “Apparently Nathan believes that Lord Cain would have kidnapped you and convinced himself you were willing. He is entirely delusional and believes you to be in love with him, even with all evidence to the contrary.”
Rosalie hadn’t known it was possible to be more angry than she already was, but at Iris’ words, she felt positivelylivid.Whowasthis man to think he could decide for her what she wanted?! Who would dare to tell her what she felt?! She wanted to make him pay—and most of all, she wanted to stop him.
“What a disgusting, sniveling weasel!” she exclaimed, her hands digging into the sofa. “How does a person become so entitled and terrible?”
Iris shook her head. “I guess he spends too much time with Father.”
“I guess so.” Rosalie was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then she looked up at Iris. A spark of an idea had ignited in her brain, and although she knew Iris wouldn’t like it, she was determined.
“I have an idea,” she said slowly. “What if we used Lord Cain’s weakness to trap him?”
“What do you mean?” Iris asked swiftly.
“I mean me,” Rosalie said bluntly. “If he is really so determined to have me, then I think I could lure him out of hiding. I find a way to make him think I’m ready to run away with him, and then he will come to me. Meanwhile, we lay a trap and catch him then put an end to this terrible saga.”
“I don’t know,” Iris said doubtfully, biting her lip. “I don’t like the idea of you putting yourself in danger.”
