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"What did she ever do to you?" Albert asked. "Was there ever a time you saw her as a daughter?"
"No," she deadpanned.
"At least you have the decency to be honest in one regard."
"I never thought you a man to make accusations without proof, Your Grace. I suppose I was wrong."
"My accusations are not without grounds, Lady Mercer." He crossed his arms, studying her face. She was too calm.
“Would you mind sharing those grounds?" When Albert did not say anything, she leaned forward in her seat. "You should wait until you have good evidence before summoning me." Then she stood and left, knowing he would not stop her.
* * *
Three hellish days later, there was still no remarkable improvement in Edwina’s condition. Albert spent his days and nights by her bed, only leaving to eat and bathe.
"You are going to harm yourself if you do not rest, Al," Elaine said. "Edwina needs your strength, and I doubt you can give her that if you fall ill from exhaustion. Lady Mathews and I will look after her while you rest."
Albert agreed to nap. When he woke up, he went to his study to attend to the work he had neglected, but instead of working, he sat there, listening to the clock as it ticked, while he thought of his wife.
“May I come in?” It was Lord Mercer. At Albert’s nod, he entered, his expression grim. Edwina had told him about her reconciliation with her brother, and he respected her decision and tried not to hold anything more against the boy. Lord knew he was being punished for his crimes against her already.
"My deepest apologies for the recent events, Your Grace," he said, sitting in front of his desk.
"I shall get my Wife the justice she deserves," Albert vowed.
"That is why I am here, Your Grace." He moved to the edge of his seat, his gaze meeting Albert’s. "My mother should pay for her crimes."
"Your mother did this?" The confirmation of his suspicions sent rage surging through him.
"I know she did," Mercer replied. "I heard her threats, and tried to stop them by talking to her, but I never dreamed she would go so far as to attempt to take Edwina’s life."
"What evidence do you have?" Albert asked calmly despite the war inside him. "We would need some if she is to be brought before the law."
"Sadly, I do not have any. She thinks me an imbecile, but I have been watching her.” If the boy had been older, his word would have held more ground against his mother's in the courts.
"This information might not be helpful, but it felt right to come forth with the little I know. I apologize for taking this long to come to you." Albert understood. Prudence was his mother. "I am only here until my sister recovers. Then I shall leave for Town once that happens."
"I appreciate your efforts, Mercer." Chessman appeared to announce John, then, apologizing for interrupting them. Albert almost turned him away, but then he thought of what he was talking about with Mercer. Perhaps John knew something.
"Did he just say Baron John Mills?" Mercer asked, the color draining from his face.
"You know him?" The question had already come forth before Albert remembered that the Mills had neighbored the Mercers.
"John Mills isdead!" Mercer said. "I remember being in the drawing room when Edwina tore open the letter and read it. She was devastated after."
Albert was quiet, recalling Edwina saying something to him about his death. He had been too engaged to understand her meaning.God! Is there no end to my folly?
John walked in, and Mercer shot to his feet, regarding the man with great suspicion. "Say what brought you here and leave my Mansion," Albert ordered.
“The Dowager Viscountess did not wish for me to marry Edwina because I was in debt. She paid me to falsify my death. Recently, she came to me with a scheme to make a fortune from Edwina, using our affair as leverage.”
Albert closed his eyes and turned toward the window. He could not look at the man because he did not think he could stop himself from strangling him if he did.
"My debts are too great, and I was desperate. I know she poisoned Edwina now because she said if she cannot get what she wants, then Edwina would pay." Albert thought there was more that John was not telling him.
"First you forge a letter and lie to her, and now you come to extort her? You are despicable," Tommen spat.
"You ruined your family’s fortune, Mercer," John said. “You are in no place to judge me.”
