Chapter 31
Though resting in bed, Adrian winced in response to the wound he’d sustained.
The result of a stupid miscalculation. He muttered a curse.
O’Leary had been a wounded opponent. Besides the sprained ankle he’d also had a crushed hand, which explained how he’d managed to free himself from his restraints.
It also meant he should have been easy to kill.
After all, he’d been outnumbered three to one. Not by novices, but by skilled combatants.
And yet, the Irish bastard had carried out an impressive assault that could have ended very differently, had Samantha been less adept.
Adrian expelled a slow breath that pulled at his wound. Despite Harlowe’s faults, Adrian was glad the man had trained Samantha as hard as he had. It was what ensured her ability to survive when faced with unfathomable danger. Even when she herself was still recovering from previous ordeals.
It was high time she got the well-deserved rest she required.
He flung an arm over his eyes. A cup of tea would be lovely. Or brandy?
Yes. Brandy would make everything better.
The sound of the bedchamber door opening caught his attention. He turned his head, prepared to tell Samantha how sorry he was for the way in which the events had played out. But it wasn’t Samantha who entered the room.
It was Edward.
His longtime friend wore a grave expression. He walked to the bed, his footfalls slow, almost pensive. “Your wife is having a plate of food in the kitchen. If you’re hungry, I can have some sent up for you.”
“An early breakfast would be welcome.” Adrian attempted a smile but Edward didn’t reciprocate.
“You snuck out of my home in the dead of night,” he said, his voice flat. “Nearly got yourself and Murry killed.”
“Edward…” Adrian tried.
“The worst part is, I suspected you would. And I did nothing to try and stop you.” Edward shook his head. “What the hell am I supposed to tell Bow Street when they come knocking?”
“There’s no guarantee they’ll do so.”
“Are you mad?” Edward stared at him as though he very well might be.
“When they stumble upon the corpse of the man who burned your house to the ground, what do you think they’ll believe?
That someone else got to him first? No, they’ll know it was you and since you’re staying here, they’ll want to question me too.
My wife and servants as well, no doubt, to see if we might have aided you in some way.
Especially when Kendrick knows what I’ve done for you in the past.”
A fair point since Edward was the one who’d persuaded Kendrick to help Adrian avoid getting hanged.
“I can be gone from here within the hour.”
“That’s not the bloody point and you know it.
” Edward raked his fingers through his hair and swore so loudly Adrian’s cheeks heated.
“I have always stood by you, even when it went against my better judgement, so when I brought you into my home and offered you sanctuary, I expected you to treat me with respect.”
“I have the utmost of respect for you, Edward.”
“No, you don’t, or you would not have done what you did.”
There was no pretending O’Leary wasn’t dead. Adrian’s wounds proved he’d been in a dangerous fight. Edward wasn’t stupid. He could easily put two and two together. Anyone could, so to try and deny it would be insulting at this point.
Adrian frowned. “Would you have rather I did nothing?”
“When will you let the authorities do their jobs?”
“Perhaps when they prove their competency.” He clenched his jaw and dropped his gaze to the neat embroidery on his coverlet. “Had I allowed the authorities to do their jobs before, Evie’s killer would have gone free.”
“You don’t know that,” Edward said, his voice suddenly soft.
“Oh, but I do. Clive Newton was a viscount’s son. If I’d left him alone, he’d have gone on living his life as though he deserved to exist on this earth.”
“Nevertheless, this has to stop.” Edward almost sounded sad now. “When you go after criminals, other people are dragged into your cause. And however just or noble you think you are, you leave pain and death in your wake.”
The words were like a punch to the gut. Perhaps because there was truth to them. Mostly because they came from Edward, the only man Adrian had ever known who was truly beyond reproach.
“Your coachman,” Edward said. “Phelps, if I recall correctly. Then there was that associate of yours, the last time you tried to go after O’Leary. Now one of your maids…”
“Susie,” Adrian said, filling in the name while a weight settled firmly upon his chest.
Edward fell silent before he said, “And of course, your poor sister.”
Adrian almost choked on the knot that formed in his throat, even as fury crashed through him. “How can you suggest her death was my fault?”
“Forgive me.” Immense sadness filled Edward’s gaze. “But the truth is, her reputation was deliberately tarnished so she would fit Newton’s profile. Someone encouraged him to go after her. Why? What motive would they have had besides you?”
Even though Adrian knew this must be the case, having Edward say it out loud seemed to sharpen the reality of it. He felt as though he were standing before Saint Peter himself, being judged for his sins.
“I don’t know.” An honest answer. The only answer worth giving.
Edward nodded, ever so slowly. “You and I have always been from different worlds. To preserve our friendship, I always made sure any…questionable choices you made took place beyond my peripheral vision. But the boundaries between your path and mine have blurred. Our lives are intersecting in ways that pose an increasing threat to me and my family, Adrian, and I… I have a difficult choice to make.”
It felt as though he were being stabbed once more. The rawness with which Edward spoke, the knowing what he would say next, and the panic this caused to Adrian’s heart, was awful.
He stared at his friend, the man he considered a brother, and prepared for the crushing blow he would surely deliver.
As much as it would hurt, Adrian understood.
Edward had to protect himself and the family he was building with Melody.
He also had a mother and two sisters to consider. Nieces and nephews as well.
Seeing Edward’s internal struggle etched on his face, Adrian told him hoarsely, “I cannot fault you for doing what you have to in order to keep your family safe. Were I in your position, I’d cut ties with me as well.
In fact, every choice I’ve made these past two years have been made for the same exact reason that you’re doing this. Love.”
“I’m sorry.” It was clear Edward meant it. Deeply.
“As am I.” Adrian made another attempt at a smile for the sake of lighting the mood. “Kendrick’s company isn’t nearly as enjoyable as yours.”
This time, Edward’s lips twitched just a little before returning to a serious line. “Perhaps one day you’ll succeed in acquiring that quiet countryside life you once dreamed of.”
“The only thing keeping me from it is the need I have to avenge Evie. Once that’s done, I intend to embrace a law-abiding existence for good.”
“Then despite my disagreement with what your vengeance will likely entail, I hope you meet with success as soon as possible. For though I cannot stand by you right now, I’d be proud to associate with the man you dream of becoming.”
Edward backed away from the bed, gave a short bow, and left the room. Adrian did not see him again before he departed the Mayfair home with Samantha, Alexandra, Murry, and Emma later that day.
With Finn O’Leary taken care of, it was time for him to return his attention to finding the scoundrel responsible for his sister’s murder.