Page 84 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“Your Grace — the crimes of which the Duchess is accused are of such a nature that the jailer felt it would be prudent to —” The man stopped speaking as soon as the Queen turned to him.
“You will remove them at once. She is a duchess.”
The man sprang into action, removing the chains. Adele rubbed her wrists and thanked him, her eyes looking around the room.
There were few people gathered, and Adele’s eyes met the Duke of Erindale’s. His face was gaunt, and it was clear he had lost some weight in the last few months, but his eyes were not staring into the distance. They were fixed on her with a cold, burning hatred that turned her stomach.
He turned from her as soon as their eyes met, and Adele could have sworn that she saw his lips tilt upwards, but it must have been some trick of the light.
“Duchess Adelaide Scott of Scarfield, Duke Erindale has accused you of murdering his son and heir. You have asked that we grant you an audience so that you might speak your piece.” Queen Charlotte’s voice echoed around the room.
Adele’s eyes went to the Duke, and she could not help gasping. So, it had been him, not Warner, who had done this. Relief and confusion washed over her.Focus, Adele! He clearly means to see you hanged for this.
“Your Majesty, I swear to you I am innocent. I have spent many months trying to find the true culprit behind the Marquess’ murder.” Adele wished her hands were not shaking so much.
“If you are as innocent as you claim, then you will be able to answer the Duke of Erindale’s questions.” Queen Charlotte beckoned the man to come forwards.
The Duke bowed to her and then turned to Adele. All the frailty of the last few months vanished in an instant, and his eyes blazed as he advanced upon her.
“Why should we believe in your innocence?” the Duke asked.
“I have gone to great lengths to find out who killed the Marquess. I have spent months trying to uncover the truth.” Adele forced herself not to recoil away from the man. “I have risked my own safety for it.”
“If that is true, then surely you shared your discoveries with the Bow Street Runners.” The Duke arched an eyebrow at her. “After all, they were charged with the investigation.”
Adele swallowed. “I did not but —”
Duke Erindale’s eyes widened. “You thoughtyouknew better than professionals? Have you some skills we are not privy to?”
“I tried to tell them, but they did not want to hear what I had to say.” Adele lifted her chin, anger stirring within her.
“Perhaps they did not believe in your intentions. Several spoke to me, worrying that you were trying to derail their efforts.” He gestured around them.
“I find that difficult to believe — the Duke of Scarfield was the one in charge of things,” Adele pointed out.
Duke Erindale canted his head towards her. “The same man who is now your husband. Rather convenient for you, do you not think?”
Murmuring filled the room. Adele looked up at Queen Charlotte, whose face was still studiously blank. “Our marriage has nothing to do with this.”
“Yet, he stepped away from the investigation as soon as you were wed.” Duke Erindale’s voice was silky.
“He did not stop looking into things,” Adele countered. “He did not trust the Bow Street Runners and their impartiality.”
“And why was that? Was it because they were convinced that you were the culprit, and he would not hear a word against you?” Duke Erindale scoffed. “He would not be the first man to be fooled by a pretty woman’s face.”
“They made clear that they were determined to find the killer at any cost.” Adele looked from the Duke to the Queen. “They said they would do anything to make that happen.”
“So now you say that their commitment to justice is reason to distrust them?” Duke Erindale’s lip curled.
“No — what I mean is — they clearly wanted someone to face the King’s justice, but they did not care if it was the correct someone.” Adele shook her head, panic swelling in her chest. “You are twisting my words.”
“I am doing nothing of the sort. I am simply pointing out the fallacy in your own story.” The Duke turned to the Queen, the picture of a mourning father. “Your claims might carry more weight if it were not for evidence of your character. You were not content to just murder my son, but you saw fit to drag his legacy through the mud.”
The venom in the Duke’s voice was unmistakable. He turned to her, every step like the step of a predator advancing towards its prey. Understanding dawned on Adele in that moment, and she seized on it.
“Your reputation matters a great deal to you,” Adele murmured.
“Civilisation is built on reputation, Duchess. Our legacy is all that we will leave upon this world.” His eyes flashed, and Adele saw his hand curl into a fist. “You ensured that my son would leave no legacy. And then you drew his name into further disrepute with your deviant nature. And I will see you hanged for it.”
