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“Then you also know that one of them, our friend Plymouth, did not return from the battle at Waterloo?”
She nodded. “I am sorry for your loss.”
He tilted his head in acknowledgment. “What most people do not know is that he was murdered. By one of five English officers also present that day. The five remaining dukes only learned of this very recently, and since then, we have each investigated one of those officers in the hope of finding the murderer.”
Elizabeth frowned. “An English officer killed the Duke of Plymouth?” she repeated slowly.
Sterling nodded. “One of five. Your deceased husband was amongst them.”
Elizabeth stared at the duke without speaking for fully a minute. Initially out of shock at learning such a thing could have happened, followed by disbelief when Bristol stated Thomas was one of the five officers suspected of carrying out the crime.
“Two of the Ruthless Dukes have already cleared two of those officers of any wrongdoing,” he continued. “I was assigned to investigate whether your husband was responsible.”
“He was not,” Elizabeth denied without hesitation. “Thomas would never have done such a thing. Never,” she repeated for emphasis. “Do not ask me how it is possible when he had such a father, but Thomas was the kindest and gentlest man you could ever wish to meet.” She lifted her chin. “He was incapable of committing murder.”
“He was a soldier, and we all killed when we had to,” Sterling reminded softly.
She widened her eyes. “But not in cold blood. Besides, what possible reason could Thomas have had for doing such a thing?”
The duke shrugged. “The receipt of remuneration for having carried out the deed appears to be the obvious motive.”
Indignant color warmed her cheeks. “We might not possess anything like the obvious wealth of you and all your ducal friends, but neither are we paupers. Thomas would never have accepted money to kill an innocent person.” She frowned. “Do you know who this person is who paid for someone else to carry out such a heinous crime?”
Bristol shrugged. “We still do not know their identity either.”
She gave a disgusted snort. “You prefer instead to go around throwing out wild accusations about someone who is no longer alive to defend himself.”
“No—”
“Yes,” Elizabeth snapped. “Next you will be adding to your recent insults to me by accusing me of having made love with you to divert your attention away from Thomas being guilty of murdering your friend.”
The duke gasped. “I would never—”
“Or, as is more likely”—she glared as her fury increased—“the reasonyouseduced me was for the sole purpose of questioningme, during a moment of weakness, in regard to my husband’s possible involvement in your friend’s death.”
Bristol’s brow cleared. “Thisis why the duchess told me I must confess all to you before attempting to tell you how I feel about you.”
“I have no wish to hear another single word you have to say.” Elizabeth’s hands were clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms. “My only wish is for you to leave and take your disgusting accusations with you.”
“Elizabeth, please,pleaselisten to me.” He waited until she had given him her full attention before continuing. “If you say your husband had no involvement in Plymouth’s death, then I believe you.”
She eyed him guardedly. “You do…?”
“Of course.” Bristol nodded. “You knew him better than anyone—” He broke off as the door was thrown open and the little whirlwind that was Elizabeth’s son stormed into the room.
“Peggy, Mary, and I went to the park and fed the ducks, Mama!” Christopher told her excitedly before skidding to a halt on the pale pink carpet, eyes widening as he stared at the Duke of Bristol. “Sterling!” Without further ado, the little boy launched himself into the duke’s arms.
To say Elizabeth was stunned at her son’s ready delight in seeing Bristol again would be seriously understating herreaction. “You must address him as Your Grace, darling,” she gently rebuked her son.
Christopher turned to look at her from where he was now securely held in the Duke of Bristol’s arms. “He said I could call him Sterling. Didn’t you?” He looked at the duke for confirmation.
“I did, Christopher, and so you may.” Bristol’s glance in her direction was challenging.
Elizabeth had witnessed his gentleness with her son on the night she woke and saw him sitting beside her bed in vigil, Christopher snuggled into his arms.
How could she ever forget it, when it was the same moment she realized she had fallen in love with Sterling.
But until now, she hadn’t realized Christopher and Sterling had conversed together. To the extent they seemed to have forged some sort of rapport between them. Christopher certainly showed none of the caution or restraint most people did in regard to the cold and haughty Duke of Bristol, or the aversion Christopher invariably showed toward his paternal grandfather.
