Page 39 of A Spinster for the Rakish Duke
The head constable began to look over the paperwork. Donovan was extremely impatient, though, fearing the true culprit would escape into the night.
“Sir, we can only be certain of Mr. Dole’s whereabouts for a short time. If he panics and flees-”
“Excuse me, Your Grace, but it was a presumption of justice that led us to detain you. I ask but for one more moment to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again,” the constable was asking but asking firmly. “I am not fond of being misled, nor having my time wasted. Worry not, this Mr. Dole will face justice.”
Donovan began to pace the room while the constable surveyed the written testimony.
It truly wasn’t long at all before Donovan and Alistair were on the road, their carriage following the insistent pace set by the constable’s horse. They would be at the village inn within a few minutes. Still, that was enough time for Donovan’s guilt to churn unpleasantly inside him.
“Alistair…” he began.
“Please, Donovan, no sappy apologies. It is beneath me and far beneath you,” Alistair begged.
“I was a cad. I barely treated you civilly, let alone as a brother,” Donovan continued insistently.
“That is true. And although I have been a right pain to you on more than a handful of occasions, you were pretty rough with me,” Alistair began. “The way I’ve seen it, we’ve both been trying to shove off the memories of Mother and Father onto the other for a long, long time.”
Donovan looked like he was about to say something, though the words fell from his lips before he spoke them. His brother was right, even if it was a harsh truth.
Alistair took a deep breath and continued, “So, I say, with consideration to all things, we call it even. From this point, everything hurtful is left on the road behind us, and we move forward as brothers,” the younger sibling said, offering his Duke brother his hand.
Donovan didn’t hesitate, but there was a pause that was filled with gratitude and admiration before he took his brother’s hand. “Thank you,” Donovan said to him.
“Thank you, Donovan. Just don’t expect me to straighten up anytime soon. My lifestyle is entirely my own bullheadedness and stupidity,” Alistair assured him, “Even if our parents are gone, someone has to disappoint them.”
Donovan rolled his eyes but still gave his brother a wry, understanding smile.
Donovan did not consider himself a particularly vindictive gentleman. He would likely take offense if someone suggested otherwise. But in the dark recesses of his mind, there were few moments more cherished than the look on Mr. Dole’s face when the constables sat on either side of him. They were the very constables that had assisted in the apprehension of Donovan only a day ago. Now they were here for Mr. Dole.
“Are they allowing you to rest here before bringing you to London to face the consequences of your actions?” Mr. Dole tried to ask with the courage of accusation in his voice, but the tremble and squeak of fear held tightly to his throat.
“No, Mr. Dole. They are here for you. They are witnesses for what you say to me while the chief constable looks through the mountain of evidence that says you kidnapped Benjamin Bradford.”
“Evidence?” Mr. Dole laughed nervously. “What evidence? That is absolutely preposterous.”
“They know who signed the letters. They know who had them delivered. The thing I don’t understand is your motivations. I know that you know me, but what brought you to Miss Bradford and her brother? You could not have kidnapped him to get to me; the timeline doesn’t add up.”
“Your Grace, if you have been truly framed, then I am glad to hear it. A true weight is lifted from my heart to know you aren’t a kidnapper. But if you think I could have done such a thing? That’s absurd,” Mr. Dole stuttered.
Donovan said nothing. He could feel the cowardice emanating off the man. He could threaten him with all sorts of punishments, as allotted by his station, but it was beneath him. Instead, he simply leaned forward and stared at him expectantly.
Mr. Dole looked nervously to the constables on both sides of him, muscles taught against their uniforms, ready if he were totry and escape. “This isn’t fair…” he said in a hissing whisper. “None of this was my idea, to begin with.”
Donovan did let his concern or curiosity show on his face. “Speak.” That was all he said.
“When this started, I was just supposed to marry the woman, Miss Bradford. I was going to keep the dowry, and all I had to do was keep her happy and occupied. But then you entered the picture, and she decided that the plan had to change. I never wanted to be a part of anything like that. Not with you.”
“Not with me? What are you talking about?” Donovan asked.
“Your family... the deaths of your parents, I mean. You’ve been through enough. I didn’t want to frame you for kidnapping but getting rid of Benjamin had been part of her plan all along. She wanted to use you as an excuse to get rid of two birds with one stone, and you were a convenient loose end. Only I didn’t want to hurt anybody like that... I just don’t have it in me; you must believe that much of me.” Mr. Dole was practically weeping, which was embarrassing to say the least for Donovan to sit there as the man cried.
“For heaven's sake, right yourself man. You are barely making any sense. It’s pitiful,” Donovan snapped angrily. “Who compelled you to do this?”
“You can’t!” Mr. Dole suddenly cried. “You can’t go after her! She is dangerous. She acts nice enough, but I’ve seen a look in her eye. I know she can kill if she feels the need to. That's why I hadto do what she said. I’m against violence, and she used it against me.” He was babbling now.
“Mr. Dole! You will tell me who you speak of right this instant,” Donovan demanded.
Mr. Dole looked up at him, eyes filled with fear and regret. He spoke the answer Donovan demanded of him, though not one he ever expected. At first Donovan didn’t believe him, Mr. Dole was inclined to lie after all, but then Mr. Dole provided the Duke of Lowe with several letters he kept on his person, proving that he spoke true. The answer and the proof caused Donovan to rush out of the inn and into his carriage.
