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Dane gave a grunt of agreement. “I just wish I’d done it myself.”
Malcolm shook his head again. “I don’t. This was on me. This was nothing more than what I’d promised if he came back here.” He glanced over at a pale and shaken Lillian. “It was nothing less than what he deserved.”
Dane wasn’t about to argue that. “I’ll take care of the driver. Get rid of the body.”
Malcolm nodded, and Dane did what he did best. He scared the wits out of the carriage driver and made sure there was no one to argue that there’d been an accident. A fatal, unavoidable accident with the carriage.
He left Malcolm to Lillian’s care as he took care of the remains and made sure that the earl’s death wouldn’t come back to haunt them.
He returned in time to hear Malcolm’s speech. Or, enough of it, at least. Enough to know that his luck may have finally run out.
“Lillian, I want you to know that I had no idea,” Malcolm said, his voice low and sincere.
Lillian nodded. “I believe you.”
“I wish you’d come to me,” he said.
She dipped her head and Dane hesitated. He wanted to go to her, but this was between them. Less than a week ago she’d been his betrothed. Their entire lives they’d expected to wed.
He took a step back, ignoring the way his heart protested the thought of Lillian and Malcolm.
Not because he thought Malcolm would harm her. The opposite was what plagued him. After seeing Malcolm’s anger on Lillian’s behalf...the measures he’d gone to to keep her safe…
She did not need Dane.
Not truly. Not for safety.
“I was not certain you would believe me,” Lillian said in a high, tight voice that made Dane’s muscles tense as he fought the urge to go to her.
Malcolm’s expression was grim. “Lillian, I know…” He scowled as he seemed to fight for words. “I know our relationship has never been...what it ought.”
Her brows hitched up slightly.
Dane couldn’t stop watching her as Malcolm continued, talking in a grave tone about his duties to her. How he would uphold their contract, if she so chose. How he would raise his father’s son as his own.
Her eyes were wide as she waited for him to finish.
“I can give you the life you deserve, Lillian,” Malcolm finished. “I can give you the life you were meant for.”
Dane had heard enough. His heart crumpled like ash as he knew what he had to do.
What he would do because it was what was right for Lillian.
He turned to walk away.
