by Bree Wolf
“Report him!” Claudia insisted, her voice full of anger as she looked up at her brother, the gaze in her eyes intense. “He tried to kill you. He deserves no mercy for he himself showed none.”
Evelyn could see the soft smile that touched her husband’s lips and knew how much his sister’s devotion warmed his heart. It seemed he was only now slowly becoming aware of the fact that his family loved him.
Sebastian nodded. “I agree. His attack was devious like a knife to the back. He did not confront you.”
Beside her, Camilla sighed. “I cannot help but feel sorry for him,” she all but whispered, the look in her eyes somewhat apologetic. “He was wronged. I cannot deny that, and it makes me wonder if we should not consider showing mercy. After all, he is family.”
“But, Mother, –”
Placing a hand on her daughter’s, Camilla silenced her with one glance. Then her eyes came to settle on her son. “Of course, the decision is yours, Richard. You are the one who was wronged in this, the one who suffered. I will support whatever you decide.”
Richard nodded, and Evelyn could see the indecision in his eyes. She knew now that despite his cold exterior, he had a caring heart. If he were to hand Mr. Adams over to the authorities, the man would most likely be executed. After all, he had tried to murder a peer. His fate would be sealed.
Could her husband live with his? Could he remain the kind-hearted man he was if he condemned another to death? It was far from an easy decision.
“If you let him go,” Sebastian counselled, reading the doubt on his friend’s face, “he might return to try again. You cannot know what he will do. You and yours would be forever in danger.”
Richard swallowed hard, his jaw tensing as he looked up and met Evelyn’s eyes. Yes, this was the other side of the medallion. If he allowed Mr. Adams to go free, would they ever feel safe again?
“I do not want his death on my conscience,” Richard finally said, holding Evelyn’s gaze as though he spoke only to her. Nodding her head in support, Evelyn found his shoulders relax slightly, and she revelled in the knowledge that he needed her thus. “Still, I cannot allow any of you to be put in danger.” He glanced around their small circle. “Another solution must be found.”
Silence fell over the room at his words.
Wracking her mind, Evelyn once more felt like a failure as she could not conjure a solution that would ensure both, her husband’s peace of mind as well as their safety.
“There is no other solution!” Claudia exclaimed, and Sebastian nodded. “You must do what must be done. Not every decision is easy, but that does not mean we do not have to make it.” Tears stood in her eyes as she spoke, but her chin remained raised as she held her brother’s eyes.
For a long moment, brother and sister looked at one another, and Evelyn could see her husband begin to crumble under her imploring gaze.
“There is a way,” Mr. Lambert spoke up, all heads turning toward him. He had remained so quiet throughout their discussion that they had all but forgotten about him.
Turning his gaze to his second cousin, Richard lifted his brows. “What is it?”
Mr. Lambert inhaled a slow breath. “I understand that you are reluctant to seal Mr. Adams’ fate. However, if you ever wish to see yourself and yours safe again, he cannot be allowed to go free.”
Her husband nodded in agreement.
Mr. Lambert’s face tensed, and Evelyn could tell that what he was about to say, weighed heavily on his conscience. “Then accuse him of a lesser crime,” he finally suggested. “Something that would see him in prison, but not executed.” He inhaled a slow breath. “If you wish, I could advise you.”
Remembering that Mr. Lambert was a barrister, Evelyn nodded to her husband as their eyes met. It was indeed a good idea, and the only one they had. It would ensure their safety as well as her husband’s peace of mind. And it would teach Mr. Adams that actions did have consequences while also showing him mercy. Still, Evelyn wondered if he would see it like that? Accused of a false crime, would he not feel betrayed even more?
Still, there was no choice.
“I will accept your generous offer,” Richard said, nodding to his second cousin, a soft smile on his face. “Thank you. You have truly proven an invaluable friend, and I’m proud to call you family.”
Returning Richard’s smile, Mr. Lambert nodded. “I am glad to hear it,” he replied, then lifted his hand as Richard was about to turn away. “I do have one question though.”
“Anything,” Richard said, nodding.
“Did you invite me here,” he began, his gaze drifting around the room, from one of them to the next, “because you thought I had a hand in the poisoning? In order to inherit?”
Briefly bowing his head, Richard met the man’s gaze. “It was the reason, yes,” he admitted, stepping forward and placing a companionable hand on the man’s shoulder. “I apologise for misjudging you. You are an honourable man, and I regret that we have not known each other all our lives.”
Relief came to Mr. Lambert’s eyes, and an honest smile showed on his face. “I do regret the same, dear cousin. What you say is true. You could not have known the kind of man I was, and you were right. Objectively speaking, I do have a motive.” A small chuckle escaped the usually so serious man. “However, I do hope that this will not be cause for unease between us in the future.” The expression on his face sobered. “I assure you I would never dare to harm you or yours.”
“I have no doubt,” Richard replied, and Evelyn could see joy in his face over connecting with another member of his family. “I’m certain we can avoid such a misunderstanding in the future by being better acquainted in the present.”
Smiling, Mr. Lambert nodded. “I would like that very much.”
Chapter Forty-Four – False Accusations
Richard felt his shoulders tense as he stepped toward his former footman. Despite the safety that would come from his second cousin’s offer to have Maxwell detained through a false accusation, Richard could not deny that it felt wrong to walk down that path. It felt dishonest. It was dishonest. And yet, he could not think of a better way.
Glancing at his wife standing beside him, Richard hardened his features before he met Maxwell’s hateful glare. “For what you have done,” he began, “I should see you executed. I would be well within my rights to do so, and it would ensure not only mine but also my family’s safety.”
Maxwell’s glare turned darker, and heat crept up his face. Still, a hint of fear showed in his dark gaze. “I would have expected no less from someone like you.”
“Still, I will show mercy,” Richard continued, seeing the subtle change his words caused in Maxwell’s face. A sense of relief as well as disbelief hung there, and for a moment, Richard wondered what relationship they would have had had life allowed them to walk side by side. “I will not condemn you to death, however, neither can I allow you to go free.”
Maxwell’s face darkened with renewed suspicion. “Will you keep me tied to this chair until the end of time?” he snarled as though Richard had been the one to wrong him.
Shaking his head, Richard crossed his arms. “No, I could not abide to have you in my house.” Taking a step closer, he bent forward, his gaze fixed on Maxwell’s. “Instead of accusing you of attempted murder, which would ensure your execution, I will accuse you of a lesser crime, which will see you spend the rest of your life in prison. I’ll leave the details to a friend of mine.”
Guessing wrong, Maxwell cast a hateful glance at Sebastian standing by the far wall before his eyes returned to Richard. “I am not surprised that once more you will cast me off, but know that–”
“Cast you off?” Richard demanded. “What do you expect? Do you truly believe any man would allow you to go free? Would welcome you into his family after what you have done?” Shaking his head, Richard snorted, “Only a fool would. No, Mr. Adams, you’ve crossed a line from which there is no coming back, especially not since you still do not see that you acted wrong
ly. You still believe yourself in the right, insistent in your wrong notion that this decision has anything to do with rank.” Leaning forward, Richard brought his face closer to Maxwell’s, his eyes trying to see a glimmer of understanding in the man’s gaze. “You’re wrong. This is about loyalty and trust, about doing the right thing even when it breaks your heart.” Stepping back, Richard inhaled a deep breath, momentarily reminded of his sister’s quivering lower lip as she had spoken to him so vehemently the day before in his study.
Eyes cast down, Maxwell gritted his teeth as the fight seemed to have left him. “What about your sister’s child?” he asked, not looking up. “What will happen to it?”
Concern gripped Richard unexpectedly, and he wondered if he was making the right decision. “That is none of your concern,” he snarled. “She and her child are mine to protect. Not yours.”
Raising his eyes off the ground, Maxwell glowered at him. “Then I pity them.”
Gritting his teeth, Richard fought the anger that rose in his veins. However, it was Sebastian who suddenly flew forward, gripping Maxwell by the front of his shirt and hauling him to his feet. “You know nothing of which you speak,” he snarled before dropping the man back down with a loud thud. “Nothing but lies and false accusations come out of your mouth!”
Maxwell laughed, but it spoke of a man at the end of his rope, a man on the brink of madness. “Isn’t that ironic?” he asked, still chuckling. “You are falsely accusing me? Shaking his head, Sebastian turned to him, his chest heaving with calming breaths. “You should leave,” he said, glancing at Evelyn. “I will speak to Mr. Lambert and ensure that everything is done as discussed.”
“Thank you,” Richard replied, clasping Sebastian’s arm. “You’re a good friend.”
A smirk came to Sebastian’s face. “Don’t I always tell you that?”
Smiling, Richard nodded before he turned around and pulled his wife’s arm through his. Her eyes were gentle as they met his, and he sighed at the peacefulness on her lovely face. If anyone could calm the anger in his heart, it was her.
As they closed the door behind them, Evelyn stopped in her tracks after only a few steps and turned to him. “You’re a good man,” she whispered, a gentle smile on her lips as her eyes sought his. “I’ve always known that. Do not believe what he said. I can see that it gnaws on you. Do not let it.”
Richard swallowed. “I would never…”
“I know.” Her hands tightened on him. “It is always easy to speak when one is not the one responsible for the happiness of others. I know that now. I, too, was wrong. I misjudged you. I’m sorry.”
“No, you were right,” Richard objected, pulling her deeper into his embrace. “I do want what is best for my sister and her child, and you were right to say that I cannot exclude her from that decision. It is her life and her child, so it should be her decision as well.”
Evelyn nodded, and her thumb brushed over the small indentation in his chin as she smiled up at him. “In every way, you’re the man I always hoped I’d find,” she whispered, “and call husband.” Then she pulled his face down to hers and kissed him soundly.
And despite everything that had happened in the past few days, Richard knew that he had finally found his place in this world.
And it was right here.
In Evelyn’s arms.
Chapter Forty-Five – A Choice Given
Sitting on one of the armchairs in her husband’s study, Evelyn watched as Richard paced up and down the length of the room, his hands linked behind his back and his brows drawn down. When a knock sounded on the door, he almost flinched before his long strides carried him across the room.
“Please come in,” he said gently as he held open the door for his sister.
Stepping inside, Claudia eyed him curiously before her eyes drifted to Evelyn. “What is the matter?” she asked, taking the seat her brother offered her. “Is something wrong? Did that evil man–?”
“This has nothing to do with Mr. Adams,” Richard interrupted, sinking into the chair opposite the two women. “This is about you…and your child.”
Watching her sister-in-law carefully, Evelyn immediately noticed the tension that gripped her shoulders at the mention of her child. Her eyes widened, and she inhaled a calming breath. Still, her hands trembled as she tried to act unaffected. “What about…my child?”
Clasping his hands together, Richard met her eyes. “I asked you here because I do believe it right that you have a say when it comes to your own as well as your child’s future.”
Gritting her teeth, Claudia shook her head. “Why are you doing this?” she demanded as tears began to pool in her eyes. “It was already settled. There is no need to discuss it.” She made to rise, but Evelyn held her back, putting a gentle hand on Claudia’s trembling ones.
“Please listen,” she whispered, drawing her sister-in-law’s right hand into hers. “Please.”
Richard swallowed, giving Evelyn a quick nod of gratitude before turning his attention back to his sister. “You’ve always said that this was your life and that you ought to have a say in it. You’ve always complained that we, Father and I, did not ask your opinion, not even when the decision concerned you.” An apologetic look came to his eyes. “And you were right. We did not, but we should have, and I am sorry for failing you thus.” Reaching out, he took Claudia’s other hand in his. “This is your life, and from now on, you will have a say in it. I promise.”
Clenching her jaw, Claudia fought the tremors that shook her as she stared at her brother, tears spilling silently down her cheeks. “Thank you, Richard,” she mumbled, and Evelyn once more felt awed by the silent strength that lived in Claudia’s heart. “But you know as well as I that there is no choice. Not truly. Yes, I wish things had gone differently, but wishful thinking will not change the fact that this child is a bastard.” Her voice hitched as she spoke the last word, and she pulled her hand from Evelyn’s grasp to gently place it on the soft swelling of her belly. “I’m not as naive as you think me, Brother. Not anymore. I know what life would await me and my child should I choose to keep it.” Briefly closing her eyes, she shook her head. Then her gaze came to rest on her brother’s once more, and Evelyn wondered where they would stand today if they had found a way to speak to each other sooner.
“I want my child to grow up safe and protected,” Claudia continued, the sinews in her own hand beginning to stand out white as she clutched her brother’s hand. “I don’t want it to be shunned and looked down upon. I want it to have a good family. To be loved. To be cherished. To be respected.” A sob escaped her lips, and she clamped her mouth shut. “If I were to keep it, it would only suffer.”
Tears stung Evelyn’s eyes as she watched Claudia’s misery. Sadness clung to every word, and yet, her new sister fought like a lioness to protect her child, to be brave and stay strong. To do the right thing even when it breaks one’s heart. Had those not been her husband’s words?
Still, Evelyn could not silence the quiet hope that lived in her heart. “What if…?” she began, feeling like an intruder in this moment between brother and sister. And yet, she had to speak her mind before it was too late and the time for regrets had come. “What if you were to…marry? What if someone could be found who–?”
“No!” Shaking her head, Claudia turned to look at her. Her hand, though, stayed safely wrapped in her brother’s. “I cannot. I am not the type to sit idly at home. I’ve proved that, have I not?” A heart-wrenching scoff escaped her. “Deep down, my heart still aches to find true love, and I will never have that if I marry now, marry someone simply to give my child a father.”
Although Evelyn understood Claudia’s reason, she could not help but think that there was more. Another reason, Claudia would not share. Did she still long for the man she only saw in her dreams? Had her heart still hope?
Claudia swallowed, wiping at the tears that wet her face. “I fear I might come to resent my child for it, as unjustified as it would be. After all, the
re are many ways to ruin a life, and I will not allow myself to cling to false hope.” Clearing her throat, she blinked back the last tears and turned to look at her brother. “I would ask you to find a good home, a good family for my child and to never tell me anything about it.” Abruptly, she rose to her feet, her hand slipping from her brother’s grasp.
As Richard rose to his feet, his eyes full of sadness and regret as he looked at his sister, Evelyn joined him, slipping her hand into his and squeezing it gently. His skin felt warm, and she could feel him take comfort in her touch.
“I want to pretend it never happened,” Claudia said, her hands balling into fists as she took a step back. “I must, or I will not be able to continue on.” She swallowed, her teeth clenched. “Will you do that for me, Brother?”
Shoulders tense, Richard nodded. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” Then Claudia spun on her heel and hastened out the door. The look on her face had spoken volumes, and Evelyn suspected that she was headed somewhere quiet where she could be alone and weep for the loss of her child that approached with every passing day. Evelyn would go and find her later, but for now, there was nothing she could do but give Claudia space and time to mourn her impending loss.
Later, she would offer comfort, and she could only hope Claudia would take it.
“Perhaps we should not have asked her,” Evelyn wondered, leaning on her husband’s warmth. “It pained her greatly. Perhaps you were right.”
Richard shook his head, then kissed the top of hers. “No, it was good to give her a choice. She needed to know that she matters, that I see her, that I love her.”
Tilting up her head, Evelyn saw unshed tears clinging to his eyes.
“Thank you,” he whispered, and his gaze found hers as a single tear ran down his cheek. “Without you, I would never have known how to speak to her. I would never have been able to get closer to my family. I wouldn’t have known how.” Closing his eyes, he shook his head. “All my life, I thought they resented or at least disliked me for my inability to show emotions and interpret theirs.”