“What do you mean?” Her mind raced through possibilities but could settle on none that made complete sense. “What did he do to your family?”
Sebastian exhaled slowly, as if steeling himself for battle. “Forgivemy bluntness. I know no gentler way to tell you this. I am Sebastian Ashford. Lord Ashford was my father. Your father orchestrated his execution for your mother’s murder—a crime of which he was entirely innocent. Since I was twelve years old and watched Papa hang, I have thought of little else. My sole ambition has been proving what Wentworth did and reclaiming what was stolen from us. Your father murdered your mother, Rose. Then he had Hargrave plant evidence in our gardens. He allowed an innocent man to die for his crime, leaving us orphaned. He stripped us of our titles, our inheritance, our only surviving parent. He destroyed our lives, and I came to destroy his.”
At first, she couldn’t even process what he’d said. Her heartbeat stuttered, her hands trembling around the fabric of her gown. “You’re an Ashford? But why pretend to be a gardener?” Even as she asked, she realized how foolish the question was. They had left him nothing when they found Lord Ashford guilty.
“Where did they send you after…after the execution?”
Sebastian’s expression darkened like storm clouds gathering. “We were dispatched to a distant cousin who set me and my brother to work in stables and gardens while my sister scrubbed floors. The Langstons treated us little better than slaves for years. In fact, their cruelty rivals your father’s. Lord Wentworth consigned us to hell on earth. You’ve seen the evidence carved into my back.”
Her thoughts tumbled wildly, unable to fully grasp what he was revealing. “You came here to ruin my family?”
“Your father. Not you.”
It was too much to comprehend. All these weeks, he had been performing an elaborate charade.
“I came to expose Lord Wentworth, to gather evidence proving my father’s innocence.”
“You’ve been lying to me this entire time? Sneaking about, collecting information?”
“Keeping this secret has been eating me alive. I’ve desperatelywanted to tell you, but I was terrified you wouldn’t understand. He is your father. I’m merely a stranger seeking to destroy him.”
Her shoulders sagged as she exhaled. “You haven’t discovered any evidence, have you? It’s impossible. My father always prevails.”
“I’ve heard testimony from servants convinced of his guilt, but nothing that would stand in court.”
“No magistrate would heed them,” Rose said. “Servants’ words against a lord’s?”
“Precisely. Your father has won. He will escape justice for everything. Murdering your mother, orchestrating my father’s death, condemning us to years of abuse. The death of Lizzie.” His voice grew heavy with defeat.
Rose crossed her arms, studying him carefully. “How did you gain entry tonight?”
“Hale assisted me. He discovered my true identity and proposed we collaborate. He’s known who I am for weeks.”
“Because he loved Lizzie.” Understanding dawned. “He wanted to help you achieve vengeance.”
“Indeed. But it’s hopeless. Your father wields too much power.”
“Are you certain he committed these crimes?” Rose asked, though something deep within her already knew the answer. “Killed my mother, framed your father—how can we be absolutely sure?”
“Earlier this evening, I followed him and White onto the terrace. I concealed myself behind the shrubbery and heard him speak the words plainly.”
“What words?”
“That he’s wedding you to White to ensure his silence regarding their illicit business. And that he murdered your mother.”
Black spots danced before her eyes. “He confessed outright?”
“He stated in absolute terms that you would suffer your mother’s fate should you prove rebellious.”
A sob tore from her chest. “How could he? How could he steal my mother from me?”
“I cannot fathom such evil. Nor can I understand how he allowed an innocent man to hang. We may never comprehend his motives, but we must face the truth of who he is and what transpired twelve years past. Everyone in this household knows it, though we cannot prove it.” He paused, his voice softening. “But I can choose to live in freedom, releasing these futile desires for justice. I want to do so—for you. I’ve learned something profound since meeting you. Love proves stronger than hatred. I choose love over vengeance.”
She stared at him, certain she must be dreaming.
“I’m desperately in love with you,” Sebastian said softly. “My heart has belonged to you since first I saw you. Come away with me. We’ll build a new life together.”
“But how could we ever manage it?”
