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“Chastity was an innocent in this.” Valentine pressed hard on Tom’s neck and watched his eyes bulge. “All she wanted to do was help her sister.”
“Please,” Tom begged, clawing at his hold.
“By God you shall pay for this.”
The man’s eyes went wide and gradually rolled back in his head. Valentine felt the slowing pulse beneath his palm, fighting to continue beating. He had moments left and Valentine wasn’t sure what he deserved—justice by his own hand or justice in the eyes of the law. Tom passed into oblivion, slumping against his hold.
“Valentine?”
He dropped Tom abruptly and whirled at the reedy sound. Chastity pressed up from the ground with a groan.
His heart rebounded against his chest and he hastened over, dropped hard to his knees beside her and gripped her face. “You’re alive.”
She nodded and grimaced, then put a hand to her head. “Just about.”
“I thought he’d killed you.” His eyes burned and he fought to take all of her in, running his gaze over her body and face and those green eyes that were still vibrant. “I thought he shot you.”
“He did.” She gestured to her arm. “Then I think I hit my head.”
He twisted to view her arm, where a thin line of red and shredded fabric marred her arm. The bullet was long gone, thank goodness. When he put fingers to her hair, however, they came away strained red. That was where the blood on the ground had most likely come from.
He cupped her face again. “Do not fall asleep on me,” he ordered. “You have quite the head wound.”
“I do not think I could after what just happened.” She nodded in the direction of Tom’s prone body. “He did it, Valentine. He told me he killed Julian and penned a note to hide what he’d done. He was trying to blackmail him because he found out about him being your nephew.”
“How did he even find out?”
“I imagine he overheard it or perhaps Rose told him. Your nephew and the maid intended to marry.”
“Ah.” He ran a hand over his face. “Julian was my sister’s child.”
“You do not need to explain.”
Pulling a handkerchief out of his waistcoat pocket, he pressed it against the back of her head. She inhaled sharply.
“Forgive me. And yes, I do.” He exhaled slowly. “Julian was born to my sister when she was but eighteen. I do not know who got her in the family way, but the man would have nothing to do with her, even after promising love and marriage. She was so ashamed she hid her pregnancy until it was too late, and she went into labor. She died giving birth to Julian and I could not bear for anyone to think less of her, so I covered up her manner of death and placed Julian with a loving family—the Harpers.” He gave a tight smile. “I could scarcely even admit to you what had happened. I did not want to see her memory tarnished so.”
“You must have loved her very much.”
“I did.”
“You dealt with so much grief in such a short time. And at a young age too.”
Valentine lifted her chin to peer into her eyes. They looked clear until tears clouded them. “I am sorry I hurt you with those reckless words. I would never do so deliberately.”
“I know.” She gave a soft smile. “I’m sorry I doubted you, Valentine. I was scared.”
“I get scared too,” he admitted. “But, Chastity, my biggest fear is not having you in my life.”
Her eyes rounded. “It is?”
“Well, hell, if you are not going to say it, I will.” He gave a dry chuckle. “I love you, Chastity. I want to make you my wife. I’ll even shave and wear a cravat for our wedding and dance and be polite to everyone if you wish.”
She lifted a shoulder, then winced and touched his face. “I rather like the beard.”
“Is that a yes?”
Smiling softly, she nodded slowly. “I love you. So much. I did not think such love was possible.”
