“So he is in gaol?” the earl asked.
“He died but moments after our arrival,” Duke said.
A hush hung over the group for a few minutes before it splintered.
“Well, he got what he deserved,” Aunt Sarah said cheerfully.
“He will not bother us again,” said someone else.
The sisters offered up various slightly more sympathetic words to Violet, aware of what she witnessed.
Duke saw the color slip from her face, but she squared her shoulders and shook her head. “He brought it upon himself. No doubt he harmed many a person in his lifetime. At least his reign of terror is over.”
Duke nodded and exhaled. “Indeed. And his father has lost a son and shall most certainly hang for his crimes. It was doubtful even I could get his hanging commuted to transportation. He has paid with his life and the life of his son for his crimes.”
Violet’s smile trembled on her lips. He longed to snatch her up, to hold her close and remind himself it was truly over.
At least where Doyle and his son were concerned.
He still had to convince Violet to marry him. After everything that happened today, he was not certain he could hold to his promise to be patient.
“Why do we not let Marmaduke get some rest?” Aunt Sarah suggested, making shooing motions with her free hand. She and Simon the cat led the group from the hallway.
Roman paused briefly beside him. “Next time you get in trouble, do not go alone.” He put a hand to Duke’s shoulder. “We have been looking out for one another since our boyhood. You should have allowed me to watch your back once more.”
“I told you, Roman, there was no time.” He nodded toward Violet who lingered in the hallway, her hands twined together in front of her. “If I had waited, I might not have reached her in time.”
Roman swung a quick look at Violet. “It seems you ignored my warning.”
“Not ignored exactly…”
“Just found it too hard to obey, eh?”
Duke nodded and allowed himself a slight smile. “I’m going to marry the damned woman if she lets me.”
Nodding, Roman returned the smile. “These Musgraves are a law unto their own. You’ll never be the same again you know.”
Duke considered his bachelor lifestyle—nights spent drinking or flirting or mornings in a strange bed. He rather looked forward to never being the same again. “Good,” he said firmly.
“Good,” Roman repeated then with one more glance at Violet he walked out of the room.
Duke waited but a heartbeat before scooping her up into his arms and pressing kisses to every available soft, warm bit of skin. When he released her, she laughed. He welcomed her sunny smile and the sweet sound as a contrast to the dirt and cold and grim reality of the day.
“I’m so glad you are safe,” she said against his mouth.
He drew back slightly to view her again. “What exactly did you mean by ‘they know?’”
Her smile broadened. “They know I love you, of course.”
He chuckled, shook his head, and held her tight. He couldn’t quite fathom what he’d done to deserve the love of such a woman, but he’d take it.
“But of course.”
Epilogue
“You could have had a big wedding at St. James’s if you had but waited, you know?” Violet’s father took her face in both his hands. “We all know what a wonderful, respectable girl you are. I would wager the attendance would have been high.”
Violet pressed her lips together. “A Musgrave marrying in London? What a scandal that would be.”