Page 83 of A Dilemma for the Duke

When Rockford didn’t respond, she stole a glance and watched as his face turned ashen, his usually steady composure fracturing before her eyes.

Chapter Thirty-Five

The man removedhis hat and coat, revealing a clean-shaven face. Rockford’s breath caught in his throat. Despite the deep facial scars that a thick grey beard had once hidden, he knew that face. It struck him like a musket shot, impossible, yet undeniable.

Fear, anger, disbelief, each surged through him, twisting together until he could no longer separate them. For years, Langley had been a ghost, a shadow of Rockford’s own regrets. And now, here he stood, flesh and blood, as if the past had never let go.

The playful figure by the street vendor who approved of his hat. How could this be?

“Captain Langley,” Rockford managed, his voice strained. The man who had seemed so harmless was the specter that had haunted him since the war and now stood before him.

“Good evening, Commander Rockford.” Langley saluted smartly, his eyes reflecting regret and determination. He glanced at Lora. “Lady Lora,” he nodded respectfully before returning his gaze to Rockford.

Barrington stepped forward, his expression a careful mask. “Captain, why are you here? More importantly, how are you here?”

Langley drew a deep breath. “It’s been a long journey to get here, and I owe you both an explanation. The events at the Battle of Toulouse set a series of actions into motion that connect to tonight.”

Rockford’s jaw tightened. “Go on.”

“I was tasked with exposing a traitor while under your command,” he said to Rockford. “The man you saw me speaking with on the battlefield was an enemy contact. The traitor was playing both sides. France wanted him eliminated as much as England did. During the process, we had a brief alliance regarding his removal.”

Rockford’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“There was no time, and I was sworn to secrecy by Duke Oakdene—”

“My brother!” Barrington exclaimed.

Langley glanced at Barrington and nodded. “Yes, sir. His involvement complicated matters greatly. After the explosion, which was an attempt on my life devised by the traitor, I had to disappear to continue my mission. I couldn’t risk informing anyone, not even you, Rockford.”

Rockford felt a tumult of emotions, betrayal, and confusion, but all with a flicker of understanding. “And now?”

Langley turned to Lora, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “Lady Lora, your bravery provided the break we needed. The highwayman had been elusive for so long. You hold the key piece of evidence. Please share what you discovered.”

She glanced at Rockford, who offered a reassuring nod. Gathering her composure, she faced Langley. “When the highwayman abducted me, I noticed he wore a unique fragrance, a blend of lemon and smoke.”

Langley’s eyes lit up. “The lemon is from bergamot, and the smoke is from birch tar.”

Langley turned to the others, his voice carrying authority. “Bergamot and birch tar is a unique cologne crafted for the Order of Shadows. In addition, I followed you and Hastings to the lodge.” He glanced at Rockford. “I kept a watch over her until you arrived.”

“You were the specter that followed me after my carriage accident,” Rockford’s voice was soft.

Langley nodded.

“There is one more piece of evidence. You see, the criminal is very brazen. He lost two buttons from his coat. One in the lodge which I believe Barrington found. The other was at the tree in the clearing where the highwayman retrieved Earl Fallsmith’s letter to His Royal Highness.” Langley took a button from his vest pocket and showed it to Barrington.

“Well done, Langley.” Barrington put the button he found into Langley’s hand, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

He shifted his gaze to his left, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “These are your buttons, Charles Hastings.”

A collective gasp rippled through the guests, the air thick with shock and disbelief. Lora’s eyes widened as she stared at Hastings, pieces clicking into place. Rockford’s jaw tightened, fury simmering beneath the surface, his fists clenched at his side.

Hastings blanched, his veneer of confidence slipping. “This is absurd.” His voice wavered as he made his half-hearted declaration.

Langley went on, his voice commanding attention. “The buttons, retrieving the letter, and your cologne gave you away, Hastings. Combined with Lady Lora’s testimony and the evidence we’ve gathered, your treachery is undeniable.”

“Anyone can purchase that cologne.” Hastings remained adamant, though his voice lacked conviction.

Langley produced a letter sealed with a distinctive crest. He held it up for all to see.

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