A Scandalous Bargain (The Pretenders #2) - Darcy Burke Page 0,5
my tree?”
“I’m Beatrix Lin—” Damn, she’d almost divulged her real name. She hadn’t made that mistake in years. “Miss Beatrix Whitford. I was, er, watching the duke next door.” She didn’t want to discuss that, and he couldn’t either, not with what had happened. “You can’t possibly be blamed for this. It was an accident. I saw her come after you.”
“And you would give evidence as my witness?” Rockbourne sized her up, from her men’s boots to the too-large men’s suit of clothing to the top hat on her head. “Why would Bow Street listen to you?”
“Because my soon-to-be brother-in-law is a Runner.”
His eyes widened briefly in surprise. “That may be, but acting as my witness will damage your reputation beyond repair.” He narrowed his focus on her. “Do you have a reputation?”
“I suppose so, yes.” She was trying to establish herself as a young lady of high regard in order to impress her father. Furthermore, her sister was marrying the son of an earl. He had a point—her reputation was vitally important if she hoped to gain her father’s favor. And protect Selina, which was just as critical.
Beatrix could hear Selina’s voice in her head: “Then why are you gallivanting around dark gardens dressed as a man?”
Beatrix inwardly winced. She’d been very careful, and if not for tonight’s unfortunate events, she would not have been found out. For years, she’d crept in and out of places without detection.
“If you are a lady with a reputation, you can’t be a witness. You shouldn’t even be here.” His voice broke, and he looked away, taking a deep breath. It was a long moment before he continued, whispering softly, “But I’m glad you are.”
She was glad too. “This is a horrible tragedy, but no one will think it is anything other than an unfortunate accident.”
“I am not as confident as you.” He stared at her in bemusement. “Why are you still here with me? You should have gone as soon as she fell.”
“I know. Forgive me, but I’ve been listening to the two of you argue—well, mostly her—for some time now.”
One of his ink-dark brows rose. “This is not your first visit to my garden? To spy on Ramsgate?”
“No.” Beatrix ignored the question in his gaze. Someday, she’d explain. Probably. Or not. “Why do you think you’ll be blamed for this?” That wasn’t actually the question she wanted answered. “Why do you think it’s your fault?”
“Perhaps you are unaware of some critical facts. First, we despised each other. Second, she was having an affair and I knew it. Third, I recently learned, rather publicly, that she tricked me into this marriage.” He referred to the manipulation orchestrated by his wife and her brother that had driven Rockbourne to marry her five years ago and that had been made public the prior week. It was no wonder he was angry, nor could Beatrix blame him for feeling that way.
“Fourth, I provoked her tonight because…” He cut himself off, his lips pressing together until they turned white. “I have plenty of reasons to wish her dead, and many people know it.”
Beatrix desperately wanted to know why he’d provoked her, but it was apparent he did not want to share that part. So she wouldn’t press. It didn’t matter anyway. “Provocation or not, this wasn’t your fault.” She cocked her head to the side, studying this man she didn’t know at all but felt a need to protect. “Did you hope she would fall?”
His brow furrowed, forming vertical lines that made the number eleven. “That was not my intent.”
She sensed there would be more, but he was silent. “Well, if she despised you and was having an affair, I’d argue she’d hoped you would fall. Perhaps she was trying to kill you so she could marry her lover.”
“No.” He said the word with cold finality. The ice in his eyes made her shiver.
Rockbourne took a step toward her. “She wouldn’t ever do that, and you won’t suggest it. Is that clear?”
“If you can prove she wanted to kill you—and I think you probably could—why not do so to vindicate yourself?”
“Because I won’t, and that’s the end of it.” His voice was soft, but dark with warning.
Beatrix wanted to debate him, but realized that would be pointless. He was absolutely set in his decision. Rather dauntingly so, in fact. “None of that signifies since it was an accident.”
Wasn’t it? Having watched what happened, she’d been completely sure. Still, his behavior was odd.