When Scandal Came to Town (Scandalous Sons 3)

“It would have been a nightmare had I not married you.” Her tone rang of gratitude. Gratitude was not the emotion he wished to rouse.

“Marriage was the only way to salvage the remnants of your reputation,” he said, stating the obvious.

“You mistake me. Marrying you has always been my dream. A dream I never imagined would come to fruition.”

He had no desire to dredge up old memories, to blame her for being too weak to disobey her father. The intimate moments they’d shared these last two days brought hope for the future, and so the best course of action was to focus on the present moment.

“Then we should both count ourselves fortunate. Marrying has always been my dream, too.”

“Mrs Crandall said you’d sworn never to marry.”

He cast her a sidelong glance and waited for her to meet his gaze. “I swore I would marry no one but you and I meant it.”

They stared at each other for a few heartbeats before she said, “Then we have every reason to celebrate.” Her smile brightened her eyes and the need to find the villain who had carried out the pernicious act burned fiercely in his chest. “Indeed, I cannot wait until we can put this matter behind us and work on building a future.”

“With the Wycliffs and Trents on the case, the truth will prevail.”

She nodded. “Before we left your father’s ball you said you had news to impart.”

“Yes. Numerous people can attest to the fact that Murray was one of the last to leave Lord Craven’s ball. Mrs Beckwith remembers him stumbling down the front steps.” She’d used the words drunken buffoon three times or more.

“That’s because his mother left early after suffering a megrim. He took advantage of her absence to get thoroughly sotted.”

A sudden movement in the parkland to their left captured Benedict’s attention. He brought Cassandra to an abrupt halt and motioned for Foston to investigate. The coachman moved stealthily from the path and disappeared into the darkness.

“Should we let him go alone?” Cassandra whispered, her breathless pants creating puffs of white mist against the cold night air.

“He’s armed, and most likely it’s just lovers looking for somewhere to satisfy their urges.” Still, Benedict’s heart raced until Foston returned to resume his position, a curt nod being the man’s only indication it was safe to proceed.

“Perhaps this is a foolish idea.” Cassandra gripped Benedict’s arm as he urged her forward. “The thought that the cruel devil left me here alone at night chills me to the bone.”

Benedict had to agree. The dark expanse played havoc with one’s imaginatio

n. It wasn’t hard to envisage evil rogues hiding in the blackness, waiting to commit vile deeds.

“We’ll walk as far as the Serpentine.” He did not want to cause her undue distress. Perhaps she was right. It would be better to inspect the park during the day. “We’ll visit the spot where I found you and then return to the carriage.”

“Very well.” After a brief pause while drawing in a deep breath, she said, “Let us continue our conversation about Lord Murray while we walk. It will help to occupy my mind.”

While Benedict attempted to recall what he had told her thus far, another thought occurred to him. “Did you say Lady Murray left the ball early?”

“Yes, apparently she took ill with a megrim.”

“Does that not seem suspicious to you?” It gave Lady Murray opportunity. As for motive, well, perhaps she wanted her son to marry a lady whose father wasn’t so domineering.

“It does, but then someone of Lady Murray’s size could not have carried me from the gate to the Serpentine.”

“No.” It was a fair walk without the burden of lugging a body. A treacherous walk in the dark. “Then she had an accomplice.”

“It has to be Lord Purcell. Did you get the chance to question him tonight?”

Benedict had searched every room, had scoured the house looking for the arrogant lord, but to no avail. “Purcell neglected to attend. I would have asked Tregarth but didn’t want him to see the cut on my face.”

Cassandra gave a curious hum. “That surprises me. Like my father, Lord Purcell takes every opportunity to impress his lofty opinions.”

“Having insulted my father, no doubt Purcell sought to avoid a confrontation.”

“Or he is guilty of the crime and is keen to avoid drawing undue attention.”