Chapter 29 #2
They had come to see him embarrass and shame himself further, as was his way. But this time, with an idea coming to mind, Edward realized that he could put an end to Lord Grundon for good.
What was more, he might just save his and Millicent’s reputation while he was at it…
“I spoke earlier with someone whom you might know, Lord Grundon,” Edward began, projecting his voice as the crowd behind them grew.
Lord Grundon opened his mouth to snarl but started in surprise. “What?”
“Sally Sanderson? I wonder if that name rings a bell?”
“What is this?” He snapped. “What are you –”
“She used to work for you,” Edward continued. “So, I suppose it is too much to hope that you would remember her. But we spoke of you, believe that we did. And I must say, she had some interesting things to say.”
Lord Grundon reared back, a flicker of worry passing across his face. He turned, noticed the crowds, and chuckled. “You are stalling, Your Grace. Or trying to divert attention. Whatever it is, it will not work.”
“What of the name Miss Wexley?” Edward asked. “Surely, you remember her?”
Lord Grundon’s eyes turned wide with realization, and he took a step back. “I… I do not know –”
“She was just seventeen, Lord Grundon. Still a child, yet to make her debut.”
“Quiet!” Lord Grundon barked. “Lies! You speak lies!”
“And yet you befouled her,” Edward sneered, his voice still raised. “You tricked her, used her, and put a child in her.”
“No!”
“Then you blackmailed her father so that he would not tell others what you did. So that he would not reveal that you are a predator!”
“Lies!” Lord Grundon turned to address the crowd. “Do not listen to this filth! His Grace… he is desperate! He will say anything he must!”
“I have been in contact with Miss Wexley,” Edward continued. As he spoke, he rested a hand on Celestine’s arm, just to show her that she was in his mind. “And she, as well as her father, are happy to confirm the story. In fact, I plan on inviting them to London next week to –”
“Liar!”
Behind Lord Grundon, the crowd gasped in shock and awe. It was too dark to see their faces, but the sense of their thoughts was obvious and not to be missed.
“You prey on the young and the innocent,” Edward continued. “Deny it all you will, but the truth will come out soon. I will make sure of it. Just as I will make sure that everyone hear knows you for what you are.”
Lord Grundon looked through the crowd for support. He half stepped toward them, which saw many rear back. Then he turned, his expression desperate and beseeching. Edward gave him nothing. No smile of triumph. No smirk of victory. He was as cold as ice.
“You… I was right about you,” Lord Grundon snarled. “And this changes nothing!”
“Why don’t you ask them?” Edward said. “I think they might disagree.”
“No!” Suddenly, Lord Grundon charged Edward.
Once again, the desire to put Lord Grundon in his place roared to life. The man was exposed, and surely nobody would begrudge Edward for doing as he had wanted to do for so long. However, as Lord Grundon came for him, Edward glanced at the crowd, and he saw amongst them Millicent.
He had embarrassed her once already. He had brought shame onto her in droves. He had nearly ruined her life, and why? Because he cared only about himself. That was a mistake he would not make again.
So, as Lord Grundon came for him, Edward pulled Celestine to the side as he stepped wide. Lord Grundon swung and missed, and Edward shoved the man hard in the back.
“Argh!” Lord Grundon wailed. “Urgh!” he then groaned as his body slammed into the stone balustrade behind them.
The crack of his face hitting stone ripped across the garden, followed by the thump of his body slamming into the earth as he collapsed. And then, finally, the sweet sound of him weeping as he lay in a heap, hands held to his face, the fight within him gone.
“You brought this upon yourself,” Edward said as he looked at Lord Grundon with no sympathy. “Know that.”
“Edward!” Millicent raced toward him.
“Celestine!” Celestine’s mother and sisters came also.
“Your Grace!” Cries from the crowd as they swarmed forward, desperate to get closer.
“Is it true?”
“Do you have proof?”
“I always knew there was something I did not like about that man.”
It might have been smart to have remained there and explained to the crowd the source of his story, proving it beyond question. Just as it might have been right to have used the moment to clear his own name, as he had so wanted to do.
Only, Edward became suddenly aware of Celestine clinging to his arm.
He looked at her just as the moon moved out behind a bank of clouds.
Her eyes shone, her face glowed white, and the look she held him in was enough to remind him that there was but one person who he cared about at the moment, so that nothing else mattered.
“Celestine…” His brow furrowed. “Might you… there is so much…”
“Not here,” she said.
“Home?” he offered. “Our home. It has not been the same since you left.”
“I should hope not.”
Still clinging to his wife, Edward pulled Celestine through the crowd. On the way, he was sure to ask Celestine’s mother if she might look over Millicent for the night, to which she agreed. There was so much he had to say to his wife, so much he had to prove, and he needed her alone to do it.
So, together, he and Celestine walked from the garden, through the ballroom, and toward his carriage. The first part of the night was finished, but the hardest part, that which he dreaded and reached for in equal measure, was yet to come.