Chapter 18
Dace woke the next morning in his townhouse and went to find Molly. In the gray dawn, she paced the service area behind the house and blew her nose loudly enough to wake the dead.
“What’s the matter? Molly, don’t cry. What has Angel been saying to you?” Dace opened his arms, heedless of the heads looking his way over the wall near Saint Sirin’s stables. Molly rushed to hug him and weep on his chest.
Her breath came in great sobbing gulps. “After you fell asleep, he asked me all about my husband. He wanted to know all about my William.” Molly stepped back to wipe her face on her apron.
He put an arm around her heaving shoulders. “Deeper and deeper he digs till the truth comes out. I’m sure he was saddened to find out Will was your own true love.”
Molly gave a snort and blew her nose. “What was the use of asking about my Will? He’s dead! Nothing is going to bring him back. Silly fool going off to get himself killed. What’s the use of talking about it now?”
Dace gave her a friendly shake. “Angel just wanted to know if Will had mistreated you, if he needed to be punished.”
“How? He’s dead!” Molly stared at him in disbelief.
“And Angel is nearly dead. It’s why he thinks he can exact revenge for you. He’d meet Will in hell and skewer him for you.” Dace gave an apologetic laugh.
“That’s silly talk! My Will is in heaven waiting for me.” Molly let her tears fall at the thought. She stomped up and down the area, trying to stop them.
Dace followed her. “Don’t tell Angel it’s silly, he has a list.”
“Of all the fools!” Molly turned into his embrace. He hugged her and rocked her. “Dace, I have a feeling he means to force someone to kill him. The duke or you. He seems to have given up on Mr. Rackham. You’ll watch yourself, won’t you?”
He patted her back. “Don’t worry about me. Angel might have a go if he meets Lizzie and she tells him her tale of woe. If she shows up looking for me, whatever you do, don’t let her meet him.”
“It were right funny last night with Lady Felmont sending Gladys Dyson to see if you were here. Where did she think you’d be? Did she not believe a word you said, about making sure I could manage your insane friend?”
“Did it never occur to you my wife might miss the pleasure of my company?” he asked with a woeful expression. Lizzie’s relief that Saint Sirin’s sister was in residence, and their dinner together, had not made his wife trust him to be where he said he’d be.
Molly laughed at him.
“Don’t you worry, our Dace, I’ll knacker that Mr. Anston if he steps out of line.” Molly clenched her fists. “Soft-tongued is right! If he tries to get me to sit beside his pillow again, I’ll throttle him.”
Lizzie Tempest Ruins A Viscount (Felmont Brides Series Book 1) Page 27