Page 60 of Enticed By an Earl
Despite the tension of the moment, Dev could not help but smile. He knew he was asking a great deal of his family in asking them to accept Kitty, but the Ogilvys always had been open, and sometimes scandalous, in their thinking.
Bedminster sputtered and flailed, appealing to anyone who might agree with him. “This man is my son, Christopher Seymour, the Earl of Castleton,” he insisted. “How can none of you see that?”
Many sets of eyes turned to Kitty. Dev was acutely aware of how desperately Kitty hated being stared at in such a way and did whatever he could to shield her from view.
But Kitty stood tall, and though her voice was soft and quiet, she said, “I am and have only ever been who I am. I am not now and never was your son.”
Pride burst through Dev. The courage it took to say such a thing to someone who could potentially ruin her was enough to make him love Kitty even more than he did.
The impasse between Kitty and Bedminster continued for a few seconds before Dr. Pettigrew stepped forward and cleared his throat. When Bedminster dragged his eyes away from Kitty to look at him he said, “If you please, Your Grace, I am Dr. Pettigrew of Harley Street and London Hospital. I was called upon to, er, examine the bride, and I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that she is, indeed, as she says she is.”
“I beg your pardon?” Bedminster asked, quivering with anger.
“There were other witnesses in the room as well, Your Grace,” Pettigrew said with a nod.
“It is true,” the vicar said, stepping forward and surprising Dev with his agreement. He looked helplessly and apologetically at Bedminster before shrugging and saying, “Dr. Pettigrew was thorough.”
Bedminster’s face went red and his mouth hung open fora moment as if he could not believe what was in front of him. “Are you all destined for Bedlam now?”
Dev was prepared to step in, if only to demand that Bedminster and his son step aside so that he and Kit could finally leave, but another imposing figure strode into the church at that moment.
“I have been told that the Duke of Bedminster is here,” the strong, broad man said with a presence that made everyone in the room sit up straight and pay attention. Wilkes the tailor suddenly beamed and blushed and, if Dev was not mistaken, winked at the man.
“I am he,” Bedminster said, twisting to snap at the new arrival. “Who in blazes are you?”
“Detective Talboys of the Metropolitan Police Department,” the man answered.
Bedminster suddenly looked extraordinarily anxious. “And what do you want with me?”
Det. Talboys glanced briefly at Dev and Kitty, which Dev found curious, before giving his full attention to Bedminster. “Your Grace, I have come to report that the body of your son, the Earl of Castleton, was found in the silt and mud of the Thames early this morning.”
Another round of gasps rose up from the congregation.
“That is impossible,” Bedminster said, twitching as he glanced back to Kitty, who still clung to Dev’s arm, leaning into him.
“Positive identification was made this morning by a physician who has treated Lord Castleton in the past, Your Grace, though there has been a great deal of decomposition,” Talboys went on.
Several people behind Dev made disgusted sounds at the idea of a decomposed body.
“It is likely that the unfortunate man met his end several months ago, around the time he was first reported missing,”Talboys went on. “If you would like to come with me, I can refer you to one of my associates who might assist you in the legalities of registering your son’s death and naming a new heir.” He glanced to Lord George.
“I…I…this cannot,” Bedminster stammered.
“I am the new Earl of Castleton,” Lord George said before he could form his thoughts. “Just leave it at that, Father.” He lowered his voice and added, “Is this not what we wanted from the start?”
Bedminster snapped his mouth shut and glared at his son. He did not contradict him, however. He narrowed his eyes at Kitty for a moment as well before turning back to Talboys. “Very well,” he growled, clearly unhappy with the turn of events. “Lead on and we will settle this matter once and for all.”
Talboys stepped aside, bowing slightly and gesturing for Bedminster and the new Earl of Castleton to follow him out of the church. He turned back to Wilkes and winked before leaving himself.
Dev kept Kitty where they were for a minute or so to give Talboys time to take Bedminster away entirely, then escorted Kitty out into the bright, clear morning, followed by their family and friends. Once in the sunlight, Kitty took the first deep breath that Dev was sure he’d ever seen her take.
“It is done,” she said, smiling up at the sunny sky, eyes closed. “It is finally over.” She lowered her head and opened her eyes to beam at Dev. “I can live the life I was always meant to live now.”
The family carriages were waiting to take them all back to Russell House. Dev was beyond grateful to be able to whisk his bride out of the eye of the public and into the very private life he was certain the two of them would live. His parents climbed into the carriage with them, but they were allsurprised when Mr. Wilkes leapt into the carriage at the last moment to join them.
“Forgive the intrusion,” the lithe man said as the carriage began to move. “I would not insert myself so boldly into your private moment, but there are things you must know immediately.”
Dev exchanged a glance with Kitty, and then with his father. “What things?” he asked.
