A Rogue to Ruin (The Pretenders #3) - Darcy Burke Page 0,91
provide testimony.”
North put his hands on his hips, his tawny eyes narrowing with frustration. “Well, that’s bloody inconvenient.”
“She spoke specifically about my uncle’s plan to have the fire kill my father and me so he could inherit the earldom. He didn’t want my mother or Selina to die, apparently.” When he thought of his mother trying to save his father and dying in the process, he wanted to rage at anyone who could support Mallory’s position.
Aylesbury stared past Rafe and let out a low sound. “That…makes sense.” He looked at Rafe and hesitated.
Rafe’s skin pricked with foreboding. “What?”
“I knew your father very well. I liked him immensely. When I think about how my son married his daughter, I’m a bit overcome.” He cleared his throat, and his brow furrowed. “There was a rumor that your uncle had also fallen in love with your mother during her first Season. But she chose your father.”
The heat on Rafe’s neck and spine intensified. He recalled what their nurse had said about their uncle, that he’d wanted everything his brother had. Did that include his wife?
Rafe struggled to breathe. “You’re saying my uncle was jealous.” He tried to fight through the thoughts assaulting his brain. “What was he planning? Wasn’t he married to my aunt when my parents died?”
“Yes, she didn’t become ill until ten years ago or so.”
“Christ, was he going to kill her too so he could have my mother?” Nausea swirled in Rafe’s gut.
“I doubt he would admit it even if that were true,” Aylesbury said with disgust. “We should inform the committee of all this information.”
North crossed his arms over his chest. “Without evidence?”
“I think we must. I don’t doubt the veracity of any of it. Why would Mallory lie?” The earl looked to Rafe. “You wouldn’t, would you?”
“I’ve freely admitted my criminal past. That should answer your question.”
Aylesbury exhaled. “Indeed it does.”
“Can we assume you had a reason for that behavior?” North asked. “You were kidnapped, were you not?”
“We were. Our nurse’s brother was a footman at Stonehaven. My uncle enlisted him to start the fire. The nurse was to save Selina but leave me to die. She took us both and gave us to her brother. She was afraid because she hadn’t followed my uncle’s instructions. Her brother brought us to London, where he used us to steal and swindle. After a few years, he sold us to a man who ran a number of gangs.”
Both men stared at him, their expressions full of first shock and then sympathy.
“I am not proud of my past but I am proud I survived it,” Rafe said. “I did what I had to do with what was available to me.”
Aylesbury clenched his jaw. “Harry will find the proof you need.”
“He’s running out of time,” North said, earning an angry glare from his father.
“Well, you have my vote.” Aylesbury clapped Rafe’s upper arm. “You’re part of the family, and we won’t turn our backs on you.”
“Thank you.” It was all Rafe could think to say. He was incredibly humbled by this man’s acceptance. It gave him hope that there was perhaps a small chance Anne would forgive him.
As he walked toward Upper Brook Street, his thoughts turned completely to her. He’d barely slept last night, wondering if she’d been able to find her rest.
Would she give him the chance to apologize? To explain?
He didn’t know how long he could wait to find out. It seemed the more time passed, the less likely he would be able to win her back.
Be patient.
He wanted to scream the word no, that he was done being patient. If he waited for Harry to find proof of Mallory’s crimes, justice might never be done. And if he waited for Anne to summon him, he might lose her forever.
Rafe wasn’t going to let either of those things happen.
Moonlight spilled through the opening in the drapes in Anne’s room. Lying on her side, she forced herself to close her eyes and try to sleep. Though why she expected this time would be any different from her other attempts over the past two hours was a mystery.
Because you’re a bloody optimist.
And because she couldn’t stop thinking of Rafe. Of how much she loved him. Of how she missed him. Of how hurt she’d felt.
She’d thought of little else all day, choosing to remain in her bedchamber and sitting room in order to brood by herself. Jane had visited a couple of times, but Anne hadn’t felt like talking.