Page 31 (1/2)

Tomas and Samuel took their positions in the taproom where they were to keep watch for the next few hours and note all who entered the coaching inn Jonah returned to Bronygarth to guard the vault, while Robert drove Lucius and Miss Atwood to Bideford Park, one of theto the Duke of Melverley

Melverley’s steward, Mr Warner, an educated ponce who thought hi, intercepted them in the hall

“You will have to wait It’s si His Grace androom until you’re summoned”

Lucius considered grabbing thean upper-cut to his elongated chin Instead, he patted the steward hard on the chest and said, “I’ll show myself upstairs, Warner Miss Atill take tea in the drawing room”

Luciusthe steward’s pitiful pleas Lingering brought back painful hts when his mother’s shouts and sobs disturbed his peaceful slumber

He allery, discovered that the duke was suffering froained consciousness, but the prognosis was grim

“This could well be the last time you’ll see him” Sir Herbert’s joobbled as he shook his head in disbelief “Best say what’s needed now He can hear you but will struggle to respond” With a grave expression, the physician patted Lucius on the shoulder before a

What was there to say to the father he despised?

Lucius had come to torment the duke, not spout sentiment

The duke’s bedchamber was as dark as his heart, the atmosphere as stuffy as his opinions Thick red curtains kept the daylight at bay Bowls of dried lavender lay scattered around the rooent smell—the smell of death and the rotten stench of a liar

Lucius used the fading candle in the lahtness failed to lighten the bitterness in his heart

“For the first time in my life, I can speak without interruption” Luciusagainst a mound of pillows The man whose core was as putrid as afor this world, though I cannot say I give a damn”

Glassy, bewildered eyes stared back

“No doubt this is another one of your devious sche his ears to the constant criticis on the brink of death, you had to find a way to shutthe truth about what you did to my mother”

The duke seemed to squirm at the mere mention of Julia Fontaine