Page 85 of The Duke of Lies
Kit looked down at her. “He wanted Rufus to behave in a more ducal manner, and when he refused, Horatio hired brigands to frighten him into behaving. There is some dispute as to whether he wanted them to kill Rufus or merely intimidate him.”
Horatio’s eyes were huge in his pale face. “I didn’t mean for him to die. But you should be glad he did—Rufus was a murderer. He watched Godwin drown so he could inherit the title, and I’m confident he poisoned the duke, starting at that house party.”
Verity gasped. “And yet you did nothing. You may not have killed anyone directly, but you are guilty of terrible things.”
Carlyle cleared his throat. “Regardless of what happened, the discovery of the duke’s body in Kingman’s garden will reflect poorly on him.” He looked toward Kit. “And you can prove he embezzled—that alone would cause him to hang.”
“No!” Horatio cried. He brought his hands up and covered his face, tipping his head down as sobs racked his body.
Verity’s forehead creased, and she shook her head. “I don’t want him to hang.”
Carlyle’s gaze was tinged with sympathy. “We can ask for mercy and seek transportation instead, but it will be up to the judge. Take him to Bow Street, lads.”
The Runners, who’d been loitering near the house after escorting Kit to the garden, took a still-sobbing Horatio by his arms and dragged him back through the house.
“What of the Blades?” Kit asked, feeling Verity stiffen as she slowly turned back toward the garden.
“We’re always trying to catch them for one crime or another,” Carlyle said. “Rather,theyare. That’s not my job any longer.” He nodded toward Verity. “I’m sorry for the way this turned out.”
Verity pressed closer to Kit and shuddered. “I don’t know what to say.”
Kit held her tight against him. “You don’t need to say anything. This is a great deal to comprehend. I’m not sure I do fully yet.”
“What are they digging up?” she asked. “Is it…him?”
Kit pulled back to open his hand and showed her the ring. “Titus found this. It was my father’s.”
“I recognize that. Rufus wore it after Augustus died.” She looked toward the garden. “So he really is there?”
“Yes.” He didn’t offer any condolences because he didn’t think she’d want them. “Are you sad?”
“No. I’m relieved to know, and I hope he’s at peace. We should take him back to Beaumont Tower and bury him properly there. For Beau.”
Oh God, Beau. What were they going to tell him?
“I agree. I… I don’t know what to say to him.”
She turned in his arms and looked up at him. “About his father?”
“About him, about me, about any of it.”
“We won’t tell him everything at once.” Her forehead creased. “I think I’d like to take him home as soon as possible.”
“Not until we take him to the museum and Gunter’s and the Tower. He’ll be devastated if we don’t.”
“I’ll be devastated too,” she said. “I was so looking forward to doing all that. As a family.”
Despite the events of the day, hope and peace made Kit smile. “And I so wanted to take you to a play.”
She smiled back. “You will. Someday.”
Simon came to the edge of the garden and leaned on his shovel. “This is going to be an even bigger scandal now. Nick, I do believe the focus may finally be off us permanently.” He winced and ducked his head. “Sorry, perhaps that was too soon.”
Verity surprised Kit by laughing. “No, and you’re right. We’ll need to complete our sightseeing and be on our way as soon as possible.”
“We could cause an even bigger scandal and get married,” Kit said softly.
She looked up at him, her eyes glowing. “Yes, please. The sooner the better.”
