A Wicked Wager (Avenging Lords 2)

The notion touched her in a way she had not thought possible. She would do everything in her power to ensure Susan’s sacrifice was not in vain.

“That makes Mrs Barbary my great-aunt.” Juliet tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. “She saw me as a Bromfield, as a member of the vile family who ruined her sister’s life. If only she would have embraced me.”

“The woman could not see past her bitterness.”

“She blamed your grandmother, too, for lying to her all those years.” As Juliet had no memory of telling Devlin anything about Mrs Barbary’s confession, she told him everything again from the beginning. “Do you think Mrs Barbary took her own life? Her death means we must tell the magistrate about my father’s illegitimacy.”

A brief silence ensued before Devlin said, “I told the magistrate a variation of the truth. Yesterday, Mrs Barbary informed Cook that the icehouse was unsafe and that until she had inspected the problem, no one was to venture down there.”

“Is that true?”

“It is. Cook verified that the conversation had taken place as she had wanted ice to make sorbets.”

“But how did you account for me being there?”

“I told them the housekeeper lured you down there on false pretences. That she harboured resentment over the death of my grandmother and Ambrose and blamed you, a Bromfield, for what had happened. Tilly and the other maids corroborated her open hatred of Hannah and the baron.”

“I see.”

Why had he not told the whole truth?

It was an opportunity to get his revenge on the Bromfields, too.

“Everything else I told them was the truth,” Devlin continued. “I explained that I went out to find you and Rufus, that the dog led me to the icehouse. I told them how she tried to make her escape and got caught under the wheel.”

A shiver crept down Juliet’s back like the trace of frosty fingers. The memory of being locked in that frigid room would haunt her forever.

“Did they believe you?”

Devlin raised an arrogant brow. “Love, I could sell rosary beads to the devil. Besides, there are no wounds or signs of violence on the body. And the doctor has confirmed that your symptoms are conducive with being in the cold for a considerable amount of time.”

A wave of relief rippled across her shoulders. But still, she had some compassion for Mrs Barbary. Hurt and disappointment had made her do dreadful things.

“But if you had told them about Susan, you would have hurt my father and Hannah, as you have wanted to do for so long.”

Devlin sighed. He came to sit on the side of the bed, captured her hand and brought it to his lips. Those dark, mysterious eyes she loved searched her face. “And for every stone I throw at your father I now throw at you, at our unborn children, at the hopes for the future.”

Love for her husband swelled in her chest. He had promised to protect her from the baron and not once had he faltered. “But I have suffered disgrace my whole life. I would welcome it gladly if I thought it might bring you peace.”

“But you would not wish to hurt our children.”

“We must hope they are strong enough of character to cope with anything that comes their way.”

“And they will be.” He bent his head and kissed her. “How can they not with you as their mother?” A mischievous smile formed. “Besides, we have the letters. We have the proof your father fought so desperately to find. We will use them to our advantage. Shall we go to London? Shall we visit your father and tell him of our lucky discovery?”

The thought of forcing the baron to acknowledge his hypocrisy caused a knot in her stomach. “Yes, though I doubt the meeting will be pleasant. And then promise me we can forget all about the letters.” She sat up, though the task was made more difficult by the mounds of blankets on the bed. Then she realised she was naked. “Good Lord.”

“You refused to wear one of the nightgowns purchased from the modiste.” Devlin’s gaze slid across her bare shoulders, igniting a fire in her belly. “I have had a hell of a night trying to keep you warm.”

“A hell of a night?” she teased. “What about today? I feel cold to my bones and Rufus is of no use.”

The hound opened one eye upon hearing his name but then fell back to sleep.

“What would you have me do?” Devlin said with a grin. “Stoke the fire? Fetch another blanket?”

He was the only thing she needed. “Body heat is supposed to be the best way to warm the blood.”

A wicked glint flashed in his obsidian eyes. “As I have a rather large body, I should be able to heat you quite quickly.” Devlin stood. He strode over to the door and called Rufus. “I shall take him down to the stables and let a groom take him out.”