Page 84 of The Duke of Lies
Kit shook his head. “I have not.”
The groom lifted his head, his eyes full of tears. “I’ll do whatever is necessary. I never meant for anyone to get hurt. I was only following Mr. Kingman’s orders.” He turned toward Carlyle. “I’m a dead man for sure when my cousin finds out.”
“His cousin is one of the Blades,” Carlyle explained. He pressed his lips together and regarded the groom. “You’ve done your part for them. Explain that Kingman was arrested—for I expect he will be when he arrives—and that the money has stopped. That is not your fault, and that will be the end of it. And then don’t contact them again. I might even suggest looking for employment outside London.”
“Yes, my lord,” the groom said, nodding enthusiastically.
Kit looked to Carlyle. “When Kingman arrives... Where is he?”
“On Bond Street with his daughter. We sent one of his footmen to fetch them here.”
Fear gripped Kit’s gut. While Kingman hadn’t perpetrated any violence himself, the man was apparently capable of heinous crimes, and Kit hated thinking of Verity in his company.
Carlyle seemed to read his concern, for he smiled encouragingly. “I believe Her Grace is fine. She was quite prepared to lead her father on a merry chase to keep you safe.”
Kit’s heart swelled even as apprehension maintained its hold. “What of the other charges against me?”
“I understand there was no fraud, that you never intended to claim the dukedom. You were simply protecting Her Grace and the estate.”
“Yes.” Kit could scarcely believed Verity’s plan had worked, but then she was exceptionally clever.
Carlyle cocked his head to the side. “As for the other murder, did you do it?”
Kit wanted to lie—hell, he needed to lie. But the words wouldn’t form. Just as he couldn’t get the truth to form after he’d accidentally killed the man. “I didn’t murder him. We fought.”
“I see.”
“I went to see him and found evidence of his crimes. He attacked me, and I defended myself.” Kit winced. “I regret what happened, but it was Cuddy who was intent on murder. I also regret not informing the constable at the time.”
“We’ll sort that out,” Lord Carlyle said. “The way this all seems to be falling into place, I doubt you will be seen to have any culpability.”
“Found something.”
Kit turned at the call from one of the men. It was the Duke of Kendal who’d spoken. He bent and picked something up from the dirt. Kit rushed to his side.
“Looks like a signet ring,” the duke said. “Recognize it?” He dropped the piece of jewelry onto Kit’s palm.
The bright afternoon sunlight glinted off the gold. Kit held it up and instantly knew what it was. “This was my father’s ring. The ducal signet.”
“I’ve found bone,” Nick said grimly.
“What is the meaning of this!” The sound of Horatio Kingman’s voice drew everyone to turn toward the door to the house. As they did so, the man’s face lost all semblance of color. He clutched the doorframe as Verity rushed past him.
She ran directly into Kit’s arms, and he gathered her close, kissing her forehead, so glad to have her safe and whole in his arms. She touched his face and looked up into his eyes. “Are you all right?”
He curled his hand into a fist around his father’s ring. “Never better.”
She arched a dark brow at him. “Never?”
A smile dashed across his lips. “Maybe not never, but this is a fairly good moment.”
Lord Carlyle turned toward Horatio, his hands clasped behind his back, and announced in an authoritative tone, “Mr. Kingman, you are accused of killing Rufus Beaumont, Duke of Blackburn.”
“I didn’t! It was him!” He pointed wildly at Kit. “He wanted to claim his father’s title! He’s a bastard! He has the motive!”
Kit took a few steps toward him, and Verity stayed close to his side, her arm wrapped around his waist. “As do you, Horatio. While your intent may have been well placed, you chose to do business with the wrong people. And you threatened the wrong people too.”
“What was his motive?” Verity asked.
