A Rogue No More - Lana Williams Page 0,87

from a book.”

Sir Alexander gasped as he stared at his friend. “What?”

“I know it to be true as well,” Cummings added.

Thomas had told Thornton and Cummings his plan and asked them to join him, suggesting there was safety in numbers. When they’d hesitated, he reminded them that by not coming forward, they were guilty as well.

“As do I,” another man stepped forward as well.

Sir Stuart’s shock was nearly as palpable as Sir Alexander’s. “I can’t believe you’d sink to such a level. What were you thinking?”

The knight glanced around at the room filled with acquaintances and peers. “You don’t understand. None of you understand. This is all a huge mistake.”

“One the authorities can sort through,” Sir Stuart said. “You are hereby relieved of your position.”

Thomas watched as Sir Stuart took control of the situation, arranging for several of the other directors who were there to work with the police in an investigation of Sir Alexander’s activities. The knight was escorted out, still protesting his innocence. Thomas leaned against the table for a moment as relief poured through him. He’d never been so pleased to have a game of cards over in his life.

“I can’t thank you enough.” Sir Stuart approached Thomas and shook his hand. “I had no idea he was doing such terrible things. You have my word that his crimes will not go unpunished.”

“I’m pleased to hear it,” Thomas said then watched as Sir Stuart stepped away to speak with the Earl of Arlingwood.

“Thomas, I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am,” Graham said as he slapped Thomas on the shoulder. “Who knew you were capable of catching a murderer?”

“Certainly not me,” Hugh added with a smile.

“Your brother is quite the hero,” Aberland told Graham and Hugh as he joined them and clasped Thomas’s hand. “A man of action.”

“Thank you for your assistance.” Thomas was truly grateful for the earl’s contacts that had enabled him to convince Sir Stuart to come. The head director’s presence had been key to the plan.

“Of course.” Aberland nodded. “But I hope we don’t need to deal with anything similar in the near future.”

“As do I,” Thomas agreed. Then Aberland moved away to speak with Arlingwood.

“I’m impressed by your methods to shed the light on what Sir Alexander did.” Graham raised a brow. “That was quite the feat.”

“He made it easy when he told me so much of his plan the day he came to Artemis Press. His threats to make someone I cared for the next murder victim made me hesitate. But I realized I had to try to stop him.” His mouth went dry when he thought of how the evening could’ve gone. “I appreciate you both coming to support me. I wanted at least a few people in the room on whom I could depend in case things went wrong.”

“You can always count on us,” Graham said.

“What are brothers for?” Hugh asked.

Thomas paused, studying each of them. Was this the moment he’d been waiting for? To find out for certain what they knew? In truth, he was tired of wondering and worrying. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that.” He glanced away for a moment. “Did Father tell you that he believed I’m not his son?”

“Yes.” Graham’s lips tightened as his eyes filled with sympathy. “But that doesn’t matter. You’re still our brother.”

“Always,” Hugh agreed. “You can’t be rid of us so easily.”

Thomas nodded, emotion tightening his throat even as another wave of relief washed over him. “I’m pleased to hear that, for I don’t know what I’d do without the pair of you.”

What a night this had been. Now he had one more task before him come the morning. Then he could focus on his future with Annabelle if she’d still have him.

Chapter Twenty

Annabelle rose after a fitful night to wash and dress before hurrying downstairs, hoping the broadsheet wasn’t already in her father’s hands or she wouldn’t see it for hours. She was anxious to know if the editor had managed to print the story.

Before she could look in the library, she heard her father’s voice in the dining room and entered to find him and her mother beginning breakfast.

“Have a look at this, dear,” he told her mother as he held out the broadsheet. “This is quite the tale. Very entertaining.”

A glance over his shoulder revealed he was referring to her story. Annabelle couldn’t help but smile. She often read to him, sometimes even her own work, but he didn’t always react to it, let alone remember