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Shoot him. He wanted to. This man had planned to rape Cynthia. In Lancaster’s new rulebook of crimes and punishments, Bram deserved to die just for that. But his blank eyes showed he’d died long before.
I’m free of him now.
This man might be a monster too. Who wouldn’t be, after a lifetime in Richmond’s home? But how could Lancaster be sure?
He didn’t know what to do, and in the end, Bram simply turned and walked away.
It was over. They were all free of him now, for better or worse.
Chapter 23
Cynthia was wiping tears from her cheeks.
Lancaster watched from a distance, fighting the urge to rush over and rescue her. She hugged her mother one last time before the woman pulled herself wearily into a carriage and waved good-bye.
As soon as the carriage began to roll away, Lancaster walked toward Cyn.
After her initial grateful relief that he hadn’t been injured in the duel, she’d spent the morning glaring her outrage that he’d snuck from bed without waking her. As if he would have voluntarily exposed her to danger and bloodshed. But regardless of her previous mood, he couldn’t leave her alone now.
Her shoulders rose and fell in a deep breath. “Are you well?” he asked.
She wiped her cheeks and glanced back at him. “Yes.”
“She seemed…overwhelmed.”
“Yes, but she was happy to see me alive, and she didn’t try to persuade me to return home.”
“Good.”
Cynthia turned back to watch the carriage roll away. “I gave her half the money. I told her to keep it to protect herself or Mary if this sort of thing arises again, but she may turn it over to her husband as soon as she sets foot in Oak Hall.”
“There’s not much more you can do.”
“I know. It makes her feel safe to have a husband who’s so certain in all he does. Even…even after what’s happened. She apologized for not stopping the match but she said I’ve always been strong. Stronger than Mary ever will be.”
“You are strong. But that’s not an excuse to give you up to the world like that.”
“I know.”
He reached for her hand and held it tight until she nodded. “All right then,” she murmured. She set her shoulders straighter. “What happened with the magistrate?”
Lancaster shook his head. “He seemed oddly satisfied with Somerhart’s explanation. Only asked me to remain here for two or three days in case there is further inquiry.”
“Thank God.”
“I suspect it would be more appropriate to thank Somerhart. Seems he was right about the power of a duke’s word.” Setting aside his worry over the day’s events, Lancaster offered her a small bow. “If you have a moment, I thought perhaps we might walk in the gardens. The rain is holding off, it seems.”
Cynthia nodded and they strolled toward the gardens together.
“Are you well?” he asked in a low voice.
“I already said I was.”
“But after last night…”
She flashed him an exasperated smile. “I am quite sturdy enough to withstand even your most earnest assault, dear Viscount.”
Lancaster choked on his own breath and nearly tripped over an uneven brick on the path.
