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“What did you love about your late wife?” John asked, giving a very clear accusation. “From what I understand, it was her funds that you loved and nothing more.”
Darkmoor nodded his head as though impressed by what John had said. “I see. My wife had a tragic demise.”
“You let her go. And then, there was her money which you threw away in cards.”
Now, Darkmoor’s face lit up with anger. “How can you say all of this?”
“Because it is the truth. I know it as well as you do. And now, the viscount shall discover these facts in London, and Margaret will be my wife.”
“Very impressive,” Darkmoor replied.
Just then, the cook entered, her hands shaking as she carried the tray. “Here we are then,” she added with a faint voice.
John replied, “I thank you.”
He felt Darkmoor’s eyes upon him. Finally, Darkmoor spoke. “You went to all of this trouble to win the hand of a girl with no money.”
“Which brings up an interesting question,” John went on, taking a sip of his tea, “Why did you wish for her hand when you knew that not only was there no financial gain, but you could not provide her father with any kind of funds?”
Darkmoor leaned back on the sofa, seemingly impressed. “Hm… Now you are toying with a most difficult truth.”
“Speak.”
“I know that you may find it hard to believe, Young Man, but I wanted love as well.”
“You do not even know what that is,” John accused, gritting his teeth.
“Precisely,” Darkmoor replied with a smile. “And that was why I hoped to find out.”
John, feeling disgusted by the man sitting across from him yet again, asked, “And what were you going to do when the viscount discovered that you did not have the funds that you promised?”
Darkmoor folded his hands neatly and placed them in his lap. “Oh, I was going to flee from here well before then. The destination was Scotland, and heaven knows what would happen after that.”
Through his disgust, John felt satisfaction yet again, for he knew that rescuing Margaret was the right decision in more ways than one. She was to be held captive by this man, and then, the viscount would have suffered nonetheless. The situation was more horrific than John had ever imagined.
“Now that we’re speaking the truth,” John went on, “Why don’t you tell me if Lord Bolton just so happened to blackmail his own daughter.”
Darkmoor took a sip of his tea before replying. “It was my idea,” he said. “I told the viscount to lie. It was the only way for Margaret to comply. And in so doing, she would be my wife, and I would flee with her.”
John nodded, now seeing all of it too clearly. “This was all a game for both of you, was it not? A game of cards where Margaret was the prize. But all this while, you were each trying to ruin the other. Such a remarkable friendship,” John said with disdain.
“I did what I had to do. Bolton is a disaster. He can’t possibly be long for this world. I wanted my own happiness, and that is that.”
There was too much for John to endure in this conversation, and he was done with it. John stood, looking down at Darkmoor wearily. “Sir, if you would be so kind, I would be most glad if you would leave Pelham Downs at once. So much has transpired in this day, and I need rest.”
Darkmoor stood, meeting John’s eyes. “So, I suppose that you have been victorious.”
“I have been,” John said with surety.
“I am most impressed.”
“And I shall never find you anywhere near Margaret again, shall I?” John asked, his gaze unwavering. “For if I do, it shall cost you your life.”
A wave of fear came over Darkmoor’s face, and it was apparent that he sensed the threat to be real. “Very well.” Darkmoor tipped his hat and made his way to the door.
John merely stood there and watched him leave. All at once, John felt like weeping. Margaret had been in more danger than she had ever even realized, and now… now she was safe, and John would do everything in his power to ensure that she would be safe for the rest of her days.
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