Page 32 of When He Was a Duke
“I know you’re Sebastian Ashford.”
“But how?” His heart raced, and despite his damp skin from the cool water, he began to sweat.
“Do you remember Mrs. Ellsworth? Your housekeeper? She was a good friend of my mother’s. When I first met you, there seemed something familiar about you. Your eyes mostly. Also, you’re clearly not the typical gardener—the way you hold yourself, the way you speak. I went to see Mrs. Ellsworth recently. She asked if you had any scars. I’d noticed the one on your hand.”
Sebastian instinctually covered the scar between his thumb and index finger that was now stark white against his tanned skin. He’d gotten it when he was a child from breaking a wine goblet in his father’s drawing room.
“She said you cut it when you were five. A wine goblet.”
“Yes, that’s right.” He braced himself. “Shall I pack my things?”
“No. I have a vested interest in the truth. I initially came to work here to keep watch over Lady Rose—I promised her grandfather Iwould. But there’s another reason. Lizzie was my fiancée.”
Sebastian nearly fell off the log. “The lady’s maid who was killed just after Lady Wentworth?”
“Yes. And I know without a doubt that she was killed by Lord Wentworth because she knew too much. Hargrave did it, I feel certain. So it was not only that I came here to keep watch over Lady Rose. I, too, have a thirst for justice.”
“But it’s been twelve years. Have you found nothing to support your theory?”
“Nothing I could go to the constable with, no. Our former constable was as crooked as they come, but the new one, Stephens, has told me himself he’s interested in discovering what really happened. I’ve spoken to him, but he needs proof.”
“How have you been able to work for Wentworth, knowing what you know?” Sebastian asked.
“Same as you, I suppose. My need for revenge outweighs logic or the wisdom to get as far away from here as possible.” Hale loosened his cravat with a deft tug. “I can’t rest until I’ve uncovered what really happened that night. It’s not just for me, either. Lord Wentworth is forcing Rose to marry Baron White. Unless we can change the course of history, she will be doomed to a loveless, abusive marriage. Just like her mother.”
Sebastian was at an utter loss for what to say next. Another man as keen to expose Wentworth as Sebastian? This scenario had never occurred to him.
“I saw you and Lady Rose today in the rose garden. I can see clearly what’s beginning to happen between you. But you have to be careful. Lord Wentworth has eyes everywhere. Hargrave’s sole purpose is to take care of the lord’s interests. Which means that you are in danger if he were to catch you and Rose speaking with such intimacy as you were today.”
Sebastian hung his head. “She has sought me out and I find thatwhen I’m with her, all else seems to fade. Even my purpose.”
“Which is?”
“To clear my father’s name and restore the titles and wealth that were wrongfully stripped of us.”
“Falling for Lady Rose would not serve you.”
“No, it would not.”
“I’ve been in the world a lot longer than you,” Hale said. “And I have to tell you—falling in love is not something one chooses with one’s mind. The heart is mysterious. Impractical.”
“I’ll not fall in love with her. She deserves better than a liar such as me.”
“Yet, if you were to clear your father’s name, she will lose everything. But you’ll have recovered all you lost. If you were to have your title and fortune restored, you would be able to ask for Lady Rose’s hand.”
Sebastian couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Yes, but we’re a long way from that.”
Hale sighed. “Yes, we are.”
“You won’t tell my secret?”
“I have no intention of doing so. In fact, I believe we should become allies. Together, we might have a chance of finally sending Lord Wentworth and Hargrave to their rightful places in hell.”
“But how?”
“I’ve no idea. But my mother used to tell me there was no problem I couldn’t figure a way out of.”
“What about Baron White?” Sebastian asked. “How can we save her from him?”
