Page 77 of My Cruel Duke

“I saw you that day. When you came to Thornbury Hall to meet with my father. You demanded to meet with him even after you were told he was unavailable.” Rhysand’s voice was rough and edged with steel.

“Is this why I have been imprisoned? You Grace, you have completely missed it. You have the wrong man. Yes, I had gone to Thornbury Hall to talk to your father. To plead with him about what he saw at the lake, and I had. He told me it was all right, and he would never say a word to anyone concerning what he had seen,” Wilson paused, “I left immediately after he assured me he would keep my secret, but then I went back because I noticed my handkerchief had fallen somewhere in your father’s study. I returned to find Huxton lying in the pool of his own blood. Your father had already been killed by the time I returned, and I got out of there as fast as I could. I did not kill him though.”

Rhysand hated the way Wilson sounded so sure of himself like there was no way he could have possibly killed his family.

“Tell me then, Mr. Hislop, who ordered the killing of my family?” Wilson swallowed.

He had cradled this secret for years. Of course, he did, he promised he would, but he was betrayed. The real killer moved freely, while he rotted away in prison. Wilson was tired. Why did he uphold his end of the deal when the other party did not? They had a fine plan, and he was true to it, and look where that got him.

“Your silence is not convincing, Mr. Hislop.” Rhysand smiled. He did not believe him for a second.

“Your Uncle, Harold Patterson, has all the answers you seek,” Wilson said and Penelope sucked in a breath.

“What does that mean?” Rhysand furrowed his brows.

“Your uncle is responsible for the deaths of your family.”

Chapter37

Penny could not find the right words to say to break the silence between them as they rode in the carriage back home.

The visit to her father had proven to be more damaging than helpful. Truths were revealed that they had not thought of, like what had happened with her mother, and the big revelation about Harold Patterson—perhaps Penny could not call it the truth yet, as they were yet to confront Uncle Harold about the matter.

Rhysand had been unmoving since they started their journey back to Thornbury Hall, only holding on to her hand tightly like it was the key to his sanity.

She understood what Rhysand was feeling in that moment; Denial with a dose of betrayal. He could not believe his uncle would do such a thing to his own brother, his father, but he also knew there was a possibility it happened.

“This is a very strong accusation!” Penny had narrowed her eyes at her father. She had lived with Uncle Harold for months in the same house, and he had been the sweetest man to her and her family, except that one time he completely ignored them, but he had been supportive of hers and Rhysand’s relationship, or as supportive as he could be. He was quick to crack jokes in any awkward situations, and he seemed like an overall good man. Was it possible that her father lied in an attempt to save himself?

“He loved your mother. I had seen the way he looked at her on multiple occasions, and his gaze remained the same, like a fool in love. I never understood it, but I kept the secret because he knew about what I had done to my wife.”

“How did he know about that?” Rhysand asked with a slight tilt to his head.

Wilson Hislop released a bitter scoff.

“Do you forget your father and uncle were brothers? Harold claimed Huxton told him.”

“We need to think of a plan. Some way to find the truth so he does not hide,” Penny finally said.

Rhysand turned to her slightly.

“I shall handle it. You do not have to worry about a thing.” His voice was stern and distant. He was trying to remove her from the situation.

“Weshall handle it. Together!” Penny returned. For the first time that afternoon, and the only time that day, Rhysand smiled.

It was possible that Rhysand scowled for at least two days. There was nothing to smile about.

Over the past days, the heaviness of the revelations had settled, and no one smiled. He had heard his staff liken the ambiance of the large estate to how it had been before the duke wedded his bride. To how it had been after she left for long months. He heard they could not see a future for the couple until the duke had appeared with her in his arms, drenched from head to toe.

He had heard them talking like this that day. The day he declared he could live without the sun of his life, Penelope. He had been foolish to let their words move him to make a decision that he regretted badly. If he could turn the hands of time, he certainly would have hugged Penelope that evening when she called him herDarling. He would have never brought up the separation.

“Rhysand, Aunt Augusta is here.” Penny’s velvety voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He popped his eyes open immediately and sat upright to receive the older woman.

“Penelope briefed me on what I must do. I only hope I can do a good job and not take his life with my bare hands for how badly he treated me before he confesses…”

Penelope’s face reddened at her aunt’s vile words and Rhysand chuckled.

“You cannot say such things, Aunty,” Penelope scolded, “but I trust you will do a great job. Three hours is more than enough time for us to find everything we need,” she added.

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