“And inmycare,” Duke Kendall said darkly. “You of all people know how quickly an injury like his could turn grave.”
The breath left Matthew’s lungs. His heartbeat slowed. Without a doubt, Duke Kendall would kill Lord Rothwell—he nearly had tonight. A snap of his fingertips, and the deed would be done. With a dead body, anyone could control the narrative.
“Don’t concern yourself with any details,” Duke Kendall said. “I’ll draft the marriage contract myself, and you’ll sign it publicly at my birthday ball.”
Matthew shook his head, unable to speak. He would rather die than give this monster his sister. Squeezing the chair’s armrests, he pictured his hands around the Duke’s throat. He could end it all now. Could overpower him in an instant. Strangle him, save his sister…
And make Jasmine a widow.
He kept his hands where they were.
Duke Kendall stood and brushed off his cloak.
“I’ve said what I needed to, and you’re free to go. I’ll leave this with you.” Duke Kendall nudged the pistol on the table. He lifted the used round and deliberately slid it into his pocket. “And I’ll keep this for insurance.”
Duke Kendall stood and knocked on the door. It opened immediately. Before he stepped outside, he threw over his shoulder, “I’ll seeourentire family on Friday. Have your ill-bred wife wear red. I won’t tolerate surprises.”
Without another glance, he turned down the hall, taking his servants with him. He left the door wide open, leaving Matthew trembling in the cell.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Must I marry him?” Caroline whispered, staring at the floor.
Jasmine held her hand on the sofa in the Reeves’ sitting room. She still wore her opera gown, the fabric ruined and wind-blown after driving to find help for her husband. Matthew sat in an armchair with his elbows on his knees, hiding his head in his hands. Cassandra sat on other side of the sofa, barefoot and in her night clothes, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. Seth and Lord Blackmoor stood along the wall, both with circles under their eyes—waiting for Matthew to speak.
But he said nothing.
The sun had yet to rise, leaving the room in darkness save for one candle on the tea table. The flame swayed as Jasmine moved to kiss Caroline’s brow.
“You won’t marry Duke Kendall.” She addressed the group. “There must be something we can do.”
Seth stepped forward. “I say we take her to Lincolnshire now. If she rides with me, I’ll have her there in two days.”
“How long are you going to hide her? You might miss the baby’s birth.” Cassandra placed a hand on her belly. “We should send word to Earl Bolderwood in Hampshire. He will not allow this.”
“You’ll never get a letter to him,” Lord Blackmoor said. “If you try to remove her from London, Duke Kendall will find her. Every movement will be tracked.”
Jasmine pursed her lips. That was the only reason she hadn’t rushedoff to her parents. She would certainly need their guidance, but they hadn’t been able to stop him before. How would now be any different?
“If we hide her, he’ll kill Rothwell, and I’ll hang.” Matthew lifted his head. “I know he will. He’ll do it to get me out of the way.”
“If he suspects any treachery, he might do it anyway,” Jasmine said. “If he’s watching us, we should act like we’re doing as he asked. When he proposes, Caroline will refuse him. Anything after that will make him seem like a spurned suitor.”
“As if that will matter to him.” Cassandra shook her head. “Caroline will suffer either way. She’ll never marry if she publicly rejects a duke. We’ll need to end this quietly before that happens.”
“Nothing about this will be quiet,” Matthew said. “Reputation and marriage are the least of her concerns. Isn’t it better for her to be a spinster than—”
“You speak as if I’m not here!” Caroline shrugged out of Jasmine’s embrace and stood. “No one has the right to make this decision for me. I want a family, and I want my children’s uncle to be alive.” Tears spilled from her eyes. “He’ll hang you if I don’t agree. How could you ask me to choose myself over you?”
“I’m not asking anything—only that you be patient with me.” Matthew’s voice gentled. “I know one thing—we need to find Rothwell. If he shows his face in public even once, Duke Kendall will lose his leverage. Blackmoor, do you think you can help on that front?”
“I’ll try, but the mansion is a fortress.” Blackmoor frowned. “I’ve sent scouts in before, but they’ve never returned.”
“Maybe I could convince him to tell me where he is?” Caroline offered. “He wants me, and he thinks I’m innocent. We can use that to our advantage. I could flirt with him, get him to lower his guard.”
Jasmine remembered her own attempt at the same thing. “It won’t work—I’ve tried.”
“Yes, but he wasn’t interested in you,” Caroline insisted. “This ismy life, too! It’s worth a try, at least. If we let him think he’s won, maybe he’ll slip?”