AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Different? How?”
“You looked dazed, like you couldn’t stay upright. You were swaying all over the place. And there was blood down the front of your shirt. That hadn’t been there when I had found you.”
Victoria stared.
“Are you saying that someone framed my husband?”
“I believe that’s what happened. Also, the shot that killed your brother was expertly done. It was a perfect kill.” Millinchip winced. “Forgive me, my lady, that was harsh. I was just saying with the way I saw Lord Blackmore in that moment, even if he had been conscious, he was in no fit state to shoot anyone as well as that.”
***
Rafe listened to this with growing shock. How had he not known about any of this before? Surely, his father would have brought this forward before. He could have been exonerated. Why hadn’t he?
He swallowed and flexed his fingers. His hands were feeling clammy.
“Did you tell my father about this?” he asked.
“I did. I told him what I saw, and he believed me. But…Viscount Selkirk was adamant about it. He said you had killed him, and I was just covering up for you.” Millinchip shrugged. “I suppose he didn’t want to take the word of someone who worked for your family.
Apparently, I would naturally be on your side. But had it gone to court, I would have said everything.” He straightened up. “My father raised me to be honest and never lie about something so serious.”
Rafe wished it had come to trial. Because then they could have heard this. He paced away from the young soldier, catching Victoria’s eye. She was staring at him in bewilderment. He couldn’t begin to imagine what was going on in her head right now. Six years of believing one thing, and now she was hearing a completely different perspective.
At least she was hearing that he was innocent. And Rafe was more confident in that.
“Is there anyone else who can back this up?” Rafe turned to Millinchip. “Or was it just you?”
“Just me, my lord. My apologies. But everyone was of the same mindset that you didn’t kill Lord Hayward.” Millinchip glanced at Victoria. “He was in a state, my lady. His words were slurred, and he couldn’t stand up properly. We had to escort him back to the house. The doctor had to be sent for to close up the wound on his head.”
“A wound?” Victoria stared. “He was wounded?”
“The back of his head was split open. That was what soaked the back of his coat and shirt. The doctor had to stitch it back up and bandage his head up.” The young man looked at Rafe. “I believe you were in bed for about a week before you were able to stand up and walk around without falling over. It took two of those days to start talking like you hadn’t been drinking.”
Rafe vaguely remembered that. The time after Richard’s death had been a blur, and even now, he could only put bits and pieces together. He reached up and touched the back of his head, where he had a scar under his hair. It had made him wonder why he had suddenly gained such a mark that seemed to throb when he had a headache.
Someone had clobbered him from behind. Now he could guess why he couldn’t remember much.
“And Viscount Selkirk still believes I’m guilty?”
“I don’t think he does now,” Victoria murmured. Rafe frowned at her, and she hurried on. “After all, he did agree to our marriage, something he wouldn’t have agreed with before. Your father must have gotten through to him somehow. Maybe he spoke about this.”
“Possibly. But they never said anything.”
“Probably because they knew I wouldn’t listen and that it was just another way to get you out of it.” Victoria turned to Millinchip. “And this event you remember never faltered in the last six years?”
Millinchip shook his head.
“Never, my lady. I know what I saw, and I’m not about to lie over something like this. If I had been given the chance, I would have told it to everyone. Then Lord Blackmore was sent away, and I went and joined the army.”
Six years of his life had been taken away. If Victoria’s parents had actually listened, they would have known that he was innocent. He had just spent six years in another country because of stubborn people. Rafe didn’t know whether to scream or cry.
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” he said roughly. He leaned against the settee, his stomach churning. “I do appreciate you telling me this. Would you be able to make an official statement and write it down? I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”
“I’ve already written a statement. I did a while back.”
“You have?”
“It’s in my family’s possession with some of my belongings. Just in case.” Millinchip paused. “Would you like me to fetch it for you?”
