Page 48 of A Scandalous Bargain
“That’s good to hear. I regret I am not visiting under more agreeable circumstances, however I must beg more of your time to discuss new evidence that has come into my possession.”
Evidence? What the hell could he have? “I see, and what is that?”
Dearborn reached into the front of his coat and withdrew a piece of folded parchment. “This is a letter from Lady Rockbourne to her mother written a few months ago. In it, she says she is frightened of your temper. Do you have any idea what she meant by that?”
Damn.He’d always been so careful around her. In fact, he could only think of maybe three times he’d been truly angry—when he’d first learned of her infidelity, when she’d fallen asleep holding Regan and the baby had fallen to the floor when she was just a few days old, and the night Thea had died.
Thomas chose his words carefully. “I rarely knew what my wife meant.” That was the truth. Thea had been dishonest and difficult.
Dearborn unfolded the paper and held it out to Thomas. “She wrote that your father was abusive, that he beat you and your mother. She worried you would do the same to her or to your daughter.”
Rage spilled through Thomas. He ground his teeth together as his blood pumped hot and furious with the slamming of his heart. Why had he trusted her with his darkest, most agonizing secrets? He’d never revealed his father’s cruelty to anyone else or his fear that he might someday behave in a similar manner.
Taking the letter, he scanned the words written in Thea’s hand. “This is ridiculous.”
“What’s ridiculous? That your father beat you and your mother, or that you would do the same thing?”
“I’ve never hurt anyone, especially not my daughter.” The words cut from his mouth with a sharpness he hadn’t intended.
Dearborn studied him with concern and perhaps a bit of sympathy. “So your father did beat you?”
Thomas gave the offensive letter back to the constable. “I don’t understand how that signifies if I’ve never exhibited that behavior myself.”
“You said you wouldn’t hurt your daughter. Does that mean you might have hurt Thea?”
Thomas looked at him coldly, uncaring if that didn’t help his cause. “No, it does not.”
“Not even because she was unfaithful? You told Sheffield you confronted her that night.”
“Verbally, not physically.” Thomas clenched his jaw and realized he’d curled his hands into fists as his shoulders bunched up with tension. He forced his muscles to relax, but it was deuced difficult.
Dearborn nodded. “You also indicated that Lady Rockbourne’s mother might say that you were also unfaithful. She has indeed said so. You still insist that isn’t true?”
“Yes.”
Exhaling, Dearborn tucked the letter back into his coat, his gaze darting to the side. When he looked back to Thomas, there was a determination set into the youthful planes of his face. “You seem upset. Is there anything you’d care to tell me that might help with our investigation?”
Bloody hell.Thomas took a deep breath, trying desperately to push his anger away. “Of course I’m upset. My wife died.” And while he hadn’t directly caused it to happen, he was relieved. What did that make him? “In truth, I don’t understand why there is an investigation at all. I told Sheffield what happened. The countess and I argued. She was intoxicated and grew angry. She fell from the balcony.”
“Her mother insists you pushed her, and Lady Rockbourne’s maid agrees. She says you were often furious with your wife.” Dearborn pressed his lips together. “In fact, she said Lady Rockbourne was bruised a few weeks ago, and it was a result of you pushing her.”
Thomas’s breath tangled in his lungs. “That’s a barefaced lie.”
“You understand it’s my duty to investigate Lady Rockbourne’s death?”
“I do, just as I understand it’s your duty to let a family grieve a loss and not listen to nonsense.”
Dearborn nodded. “Yes, of course. I do apologize for bothering you during this difficult time. I regret that I must ask to speak with the remaining members of your household that we were not able to talk to on our last visit. That would be a footman called Osbert and your daughter’s nurse, Miss Addy.”
Thomas had known they hadn’t spoken to the nurse because she’d been occupied with Regan; however, he hadn’t realized Osbert also hadn’t been available. “Miss Addy is currently busy with her charge. You may return Monday afternoon to speak with her and Osbert.”
“Thank you, my lord. I appreciate your cooperation.”
“I am eager for this matter to be put to rest, Mr. Dearborn.”
“As is Bow Street. Again, I do apologize for troubling you during this time.” He bowed, then took his leave.
Thomas glowered at the portrait of him and Thea. He’d bared himself to her in the early days of their marriage, when he thought he might fall in love with her. When he’d hoped for such emotion.
