Epilogue
Wyatt stood in the shadows as he’d promised Priscilla, just outside Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the New Police.
He’d been beyond satisfied when Ralph had gone to Eugene’s club and dragged the man bodily from the establishment.
Ralph had given Eugene a few good punches, which made Wyatt intensely satisfied. The fact that Ralph, rather zealously, peppered the beating with all sorts of facts from the folder about why Eugene was a fraud, also made Wyatt grin.
With that many lords in the know, it would be difficult for Eugene to escape the noose.
The door opened and Ralph came striding out, cape and mask in hand, as he made his way down the steps. “I know you’re there,” Ralph rasped. “Someone taught me to read the shadows.”
Wyatt stepped out. “Why aren’t you masked?”
Ralph shrugged. “It turns out that when you haul in cutpurses, no one really cares that you’re taking the law into your own hands. But when you start disrupting entire earldoms…”
Wyatt sucked in his breath. “What do you mean?”
“I’m to report back tomorrow to discuss my future within the realm.”
Wyatt’s stomach dropped. “I’ll come with you. I’m the one behind all the activity.”
Ralph shook his head. “You will not. You’re responsible for your lands and people.”
“The viscountcy can be damned for all I—”
“You’re responsible for Priscilla and her mother too. You will allow me to take credit for all the Bushy Hero’s activities.”
Wyatt shook his head. “I can’t, Ralph.”
“You can and you will. It’s already done. I’ve identified myself, Wyatt.”
“No.” A knot twisted in his stomach. This was not Ralph’s burden to assume.
“Yes.”
“But,” he started, “my entire life, I’ve not protected a single person I loved. You used to keep me safe all the time, take the brunt of his anger. I can’t allow you to be punished for my decisions. I could never live with myself.”
Ralph stopped walking then. “How could you ever worry you would be like him? Can’t you see what a good man you are, Wyatt?”
Those words made him stop. “Ralph.”
“How much trouble can I get in for bringing thieves to the police, right? I didn’t kill anyone, I didn’t steal anything.” Then Ralph clapped him on the back. “I just managed to get you on the right path. A woman, perhaps a baby in the future. Did the two of you make up?”
Wyatt gave a small smile at that. “We did.”
“Good.”
Wyatt hated the idea of Ralph suffering on his behalf. “As a viscount, what would the police do to me? I still think that I should confess.”
Ralph shook his head. “Not a chance in hell. Do you want to know the truth? Your goodness if the only thing that has pulled me through both childhood and adulthood. I’m still alive thanks to you, and I will face whatever consequences are coming tomorrow.”
Wyatt did something he hadn’t done in years. He hugged his brother. “You’d better leave me the cape.”
“Why?”
“Because if they toss you in prison, I’m breaking you out.”
Ralph laughed at that. “We won’t tell Priscilla.”
“Actually, I’d do better to tell her everything. And quickly. I shan’t make that mistake again.”
“Fair enough.” Ralph winked then. “Come on, let’s go home and have a drink. Tomorrow will bring whatever it brings.”
“Ralph,” Wyatt drew in a deep breath. “Thank you for being my brother. I know you had a choice.”
Ralph shook his head. “So did you. I’ve only made it this far because I have you at my side. Let’s go home, Wyatt. Our family is waiting for us.”
* * *