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She nodded but said nothing.
Isaac reached toward Fredericks. “Grandpapa.” A single word, but the plea for forgiveness was plaintive. Nicholas looked to Fredericks too.
“I know, son. I know.” Fredericks did not move toward Isaac, but his expression softened. Nicholas could feel the old man’s love drifting through the room, its invisible tendrils a tangible force. He bristled, fighting sympathy. For God’s sake, the man had killed Daniel!
“Tell Lord Walford everything.” Fredericks held his grandson’s gaze. “Everything.”
Isaac shifted uncomfortably, glancing between Fredericks and the other members of the small party gathered in the library. Finally those wide, innocent-seeming eyes settled on Nicholas.
“I would never harm Daniel, ever.” Isaac choked, gulping for air.
Although difficult to do, Nicholas waited without a word.
“Not deliberately.”
The damn man burst into a fresh set of tears, wailing a lament fit for a funeral pyre. Thornwood crossed to the table, grabbed the decanter, and filled two new glasses. He pressed one into Isaac’s hand, and Langdon leaned forward, welcoming the second. Thornwood topped up his own, then propped himself against the mantel, eyeing the weeping criminal as he sipped from the glass.
Isaac took his sweet time calming before addressing Nicholas once again. “I know you will not wish to hear this, but I loved Daniel.”
Nicholas swallowed his revulsion as everyone remained quiet while Isaac sipped once again before continuing.
“I have loved him since I can remember. I was happy to serve him. Happy to spend every moment of the day that I could with him.”
Nicholas swirled the brandy, staring at it. Isaac had beeninlove with his brother.Bloody wonderful. He raised his glass, ready to toss back the contents, begin the numbing. Instead, he lowered it. He wanted a clear head for the coming confession. For the decision that must inevitably follow it.
“I was distraught that your brother loved him as well.” Isaac was addressing Catherine now. “Forgive me, but it was untenable. I loved Daniel, but he clearly was in love with Laurence.” He leaned forward in his chair. “Oh, not that he ever said as much to me. No, we shared many confidences but not that one. He was the soul of discretion, I promise you.” He threw back the remainder of his brandy. “But did he think me blind when he snuck out at night? When he talked of your brother with such shining joy? I may be servant-born, but I am no fool.”
“So you killed him out of jealousy.”
Pain and disgust flittered across Isaac’s face. “Yes, my new Lord Walford. You would think that, wouldn’t you? God forbid my love for your brother be true. Or his for Laurence be as pure as yours for the sister.”
The cherub had the audacity to raise his glass. Thornwood lifted an eyebrow at Nicholas, then strode across to pick up the decanter. He refilled Isaac’s glass. Out of the corner of his eye, Nicholas caught Catherine lifting her glass for a top-up. He would look at her, but she clouded his thinking. He needed to remain focused.
Isaac took a long sip. Nicholas glanced at Fredericks. His expression was pained, but he had not moved. Nan stared at Isaac. What did they know that he did not? Nicholas’s patience was wearing thin, but it was clear pressuring Isaac would only slow the truth. And he had promised Catherine he would listen.
“I was devastated by their love; I’ll not refute that.” Isaac took another drink, gazing at Catherine. “When you offered yourself for them, I thought all would be well. I would never have Daniel’s affections, had always known I would not, but at least I would not be tortured by his trysts with Laurence. For I knew full well that, if he said vows with you, he would abide by them. You might think otherwise, my lady, having made kind under-the-table deals with each of them, but I know both men full well. Daniel would have honored those vows. Laurence would have abided by them as well.”
Gratitude, adoration, and pain swept quickly across Isaac’s features. Nicholas stiffened. Was the man playing to her sympathy?
“Then Daniel had a change of heart. I knew it in his conversations with me. He gave the letter to me to deliver that morning, instructed me to take it to Stratton Hall and ensure it got into Laurence’s hands. I read it and knew he was going to renounce the betrothal. I would have to watch him pursue his love of Laurence.”
The tension eased from Nicholas’s shoulders. The truth at last. “So you killed him.”
Isaac scowled at him, all histrionic emotion gone. “Yes, again, that would be your conclusion, Captain Sinclair. Oh, I beg your pardon, Lord Walford now, isn’t it, master of all under his domain.” His sarcasm dripped belligerently.
The nerve of the damn, little peacock! Nicholas leaned forward, hoping he looked as menacing as he felt, but Isaac seemed oblivious to his fury. Staring at him from under the sweep of those ridiculously long lashes of his, Isaac continued, undeterred.
“Daniel adored you. I could never fathom it. He was kindness and light. Loving and giving. Full of laughter and joy. He was twice the man you are and will ever be.” He tossed back the remainder of his brandy and looked at his grandfather, who still stood rigid, Nan’s hand resting on his arm. “Yet it is true. I killed him.”
Fredericks stepped toward his grandson, but Nan restrained him, whispering in his ear.
“I did, Grandpapa. I’ll not deny it.”
“I killed him,” Isaac continued, talking directly to Catherine. “But I did not mean to. Please believe me. I would never…I loved him.”
Catherine leaned forward, though it clearly caused her pain, and nodded her understanding, encouraging him to continue.
“I knew they were to meet in the woods that morning.” He wiped at his eyes, still staring at Catherine, telling his story to her and only her. A wave of irrational jealousy swept over Nicholas, and he bit back a response.
