The Rake's Wicked Proposal

She looked at Lucian. His grim silence was enough to tell her that once again she had guessed correctly.

It was unbelievable, incredible, and yet all the evidence now pointed to Francis somehow being responsible for the death of Darius’s wife and that of the Duke of Carlyne…

‘But why would he do such things?’ Her expression was pained. ‘What could he possibly hope to gain— No!’ she gasped, her face pale as final realization came. ‘Darius was to be next, was he not? All those hints and insinuations concerning Darius being the one responsible for his wife’s death, just like the vindictive ones concerning our own betrothal, will have originated from Francis. My uncle’s collapse did not occur until after Darius had arrived in London. And once we had all returned to Winton Hall it was Francis who implied— who accused Darius of being cruel and uncaring where the Duchess was concerned, hinting that it was the dukedom Darius had wanted all along. When all the time it was he who— He truly did inflict that blow upon his head, in another effort to cast doubts upon Darius!’ she gasped incredulously.

Grace’s conjectures were so close to the truth that Lucian could not hope to deny them. ‘Darius believes he was to be found dead in his bed one morning.’ He nodded grimly. ‘No doubt with a suitable note at his side, explaining that he had taken his own life during the night over the guilt he felt at having killed his wife and his brother.’

‘But what had Darius’s wife ever done to Francis that she had to be—to be—?’

‘This is all conjecture, you understand…?’

‘I understand.’

Lucian shrugged. ‘Then perhaps it was because Darius’s wife might soon have produced another heir and possible rival for the dukedom.’

Grace gave a dazed shake of her head. ‘That is what all of this is about, is it not? The dukedom,’ she realised weakly. ‘Francis becoming the Duke of Carlyne. I wonder how long it took him to realise that Simon dying in that sudden way meant that only two people now stood in his way…?’

‘Until Darius’s equally sudden marriage and the possible conception of yet another heir, perhaps…?’

‘Yes.’ Grace gave a shaky sigh. ‘That poor, poor woman.’

Lucian grimaced. ‘Obviously I can neither deny nor confirm the things you have said—’

‘I would not expect you to when you have given your word.’

‘But I am breaking no confidence by revealing that Francis has decided to remain abroad for the remainder of his life.’ Lucian’s mouth twisted with distaste.

‘It is better than he deserves!’ Grace’s eye sparkled with temper.

‘The alternative would bring scandal and shame upon the rest of the family, and it is Darius’s belief that the Duchess has already suffered enough.’

Grace looked pained. ‘Is my aunt aware of what has happened?’

‘Darius does not believe so, no.’

She frowned. ‘And it was because Darius feared for my aunt that he instigated her speedy removal to the Dower House?’

‘Perhaps. If any of what you have just described actually happened,’ Lucian added firmly.

Grace knew that it had! ‘But what of Darius? If none of this conjecture is ever to become public knowledge—’

‘It will not.’

Grace nodded. ‘Then the suspicion concerning the death of Darius’s wife, at least, will continue to hang over his head like a dark cloud…’

Lucian’s mouth tightened. ‘I believe that is a price Darius is willing to pay.’

‘That is very noble of him.’

‘Yes.’ Lucian gave a tight smile. ‘He really is not the blackguard you believe him to be, Grace. He is no angel, either,’ he added with a hard laugh, ‘but certainly no murderer of innocents.’

Neither the devil nor the angel that Arabella had once described Darius as being, but simply a man. A very arrogant man, admittedly, but a man who placed family honour before his own reputation or comfort.

As Lucian was a man who placed honour and loyalty before all else…

Grace regarded him.. ‘I have been unfair to you, Lucian, concerning your friendship with Darius.’