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Warrington kept his words soft. ‘Trust me, Ludgate. Still not as bad as watching your wife present you with another man’s child. I didn’t invite Daphne. I don’t know how she found out.’
‘She watches me like a gaoler when I am in my home. Sends servants and wastrels to follow me about. I can get no peace in my house and rarely visit it.’ Ludgate’s voice held the brittleness of an eggshell. ‘That’s why Cass had to return to you. Daphne was suspicious and her mind was wavering.’
‘Fancy that.’
The door rattled again, then abruptly stopped.
‘She’s gone for the key, I suppose.’ Warrington stood, the cool knife hot against his fingers. ‘I cannot understand why your wife might be upset to have her husband sleeping with her sister. Perhaps Daphne is overly sensitive.’
‘I was insane for Cassandra.’ Ludgate grumbled out the words, and his crutch top slid to his chest and he held the oak in front of himself, in a protective stance. He whispered, ‘My senses left me.’
‘But Cass returned to me.’
‘I kissed the ground when she left,’ Ludgate said, lips snarling. ‘I realised—as soon as it was too late—that Cassandra was not quite what I expected. She put me on a string—in my own house. I had to dance at her whims or she threatened to tell Daphne. And Daphne found out anyway. I’m certain Cassandra couldn’t rest until Daphne knew.’
‘Cassandra had her own sense of enjoyment. I’ve had enough of games to last my lifetime.’
‘You’re ten years younger. You’ve a blade in your hand and I can hardly stand upright without support. I expected you to be more sporting than that.’
‘I was...’ Warrington paused. ‘Your daughter lives in my house.’
‘And if you’ve a wish to be rid of her, I’ll see she’s cared for. It doesn’t matter either way to me. I almost died when I discovered Cassandra was with child. Daphne cannot have children and...Daphne’s not what you think, either, Warrington. Daphne wanted me murdered and for you to get the noose for it—because you forgave Cassandra. I know I have no excuse for my behaviour, but even before I strayed, the two women showed a different side to you. Both of them did.’
Instead of a rattling sound behind Ludgate, this time the door opened, knocking into Ludgate. He used the crutch to catch himself and remain upright.
Melina rushed in, a key in one hand. Daphne followed, holding a lamp. Daphne’s lips were parted, but her jaw was locked in place.
No one spoke and Warrington waited.
Melina tossed the key on to a side table, grabbed the lamp from Daphne and then moved to the sconce on the wall, lifted the globe and lit the candle. He saw her hand quiver when she touched the flame to the wick. Then she moved to the next one and the branch of candles beside Warrington’s chair. The room glowed with light.
‘Much better.’ Melina sat the lamp base down with too much force. The sound bounced in the room. ‘You must see to kill each other.’
‘I can manage in darkness.’ Warrington met her gaze. She had the same despair in her eyes that he’d felt for years. He couldn’t move for the space of several heartbeats. Then he looked to Ludgate. The lamplight accentuated the wan colour of his face. The man looked twice his age.
‘We should be leaving.’ Ludgate grabbed Daphne’s arm. ‘I think Warrington and I have discussed enough for one evening.’
‘No,’ Warrington commanded. ‘We haven’t.’ He switched the knife to his other hand, holding it upright by the tip, in a pitching stance. ‘You had some ruffian cut me.’
Ludgate’s eyes narrowed. ‘I did not. I felt shame for what I did to you. But I had no reason to kill you. And I would not send someone to murder you. A man your size. I would send two, and one with a pistol at least.’ Ludgate ran a hand through his hair. ‘I wanted no more to do with you. It would not be beneficial to me in any way and I have enough to live with. Your death would not make my life easier. An earl murdered—oh, that would not be noticed, questioned, discussed... You think I want to spend one more moment on the events of the past—no.’
Daphne pulled her arm from Ludgate’s grasp while she turned her head to stare at him. ‘Warrington. He said he wanted you dead. He blamed you for Cassandra’s death.’
Ludgate let out a strangled gasp and turned to Daphne. ‘I did no such thing.’
She gave a twist of her head. ‘You boasted. You laughed about having your child under his roof.’
