A Spring Deception (Seasons Book 2)(31)

Clairemont shook his head and forced himself to speak. "Not think. Know."

"Then why not simply arrest him?" Gray snapped. "That could have saved everyone the pain that has been caused by your subterfuge."

Gray shot a glance at Celia, and Clairemont gritted his teeth. His whole body hurt from the tension and self-loathing pumping through him.

Stalwood came to his rescue by replying, "We were aware of him for some time, but couldn't directly tie him to his suspicions or get close enough to stop him. But it seems someone he was working with killed him. We didn't know who, but his vast correspondence gave us a great many suspects."

Gray stepped back. "His vast correspondence?" he repeated. "You mean with me?"

Stalwood nodded. "With you and some others, Mr. Danford."

"You suspected my husband?" Rosalinde asked, her tone filled with outrage. "The man would no sooner consider treason than he would think to cut off his own arm. He is working to further the Empire, not damage it. How dare you?"

Gray smiled softly at her. "I appreciate the defense, my love, and all you say is true." He turned his gaze on Clairemont. "But I suppose you had to explore all options. And do you still suspect me?"

"No," Clairemont said firmly, happy at least to be able to say that. It was the only place where he hadn't betrayed this family entirely. "After connecting with you and some deeper investigation, it became clear that you weren't involved in the schemes. However, we don't rule out that Clairemont and men like Perry were using your enterprises to manipulate and plot against king and country."

Celia slowly stood. She looked toward Clairemont but didn't meet his gaze.         

     



 

"That's why you got close to me," she whispered.

"Oh, Celia," Rosalinde breathed.

Celia shook her off. "You needed to investigate Gray, and a courtship with me would put you in the middle of his home. I was merely a conduit by which to insert yourself."

She said the words so coldly that Clairemont had to physically restrain himself so he wouldn't turn away from her words and her demeanor. "Celia-" he whispered.

Stalwood stepped forward. "Miss Fitzgilbert, let me explain something. This man is my best agent. He has saved the lives of hundreds of men and women, both in the field and here at home either through direct or indirect action. He is a hero."

Clairemont dipped his head, loving the man for trying, but knowing he didn't deserve such praise. Especially now.

"That is well and good, but you will not convince me that manipulating my sister is an act of heroism," Rosalinde said with a glare that could have frozen Stalwood's heart.

Stalwood ignored her. His focus was still on Celia. "When the idea of courting you to further our motives came up, I assure you, he was entirely against the idea. I insisted."

Celia's jaw worked, like she was digesting that idea. But still she didn't look at Clairemont. "Why?" she asked.

Stalwood folded his arms. "As you suggested, it was in order to get closer to Danford, yes. But also because the return of the Duke of Clairemont to Society caused a bit more of a stir than we anticipated it would. All eyes were suddenly on him, the attention so intense that it kept him from being able to fade into the background easily."

"And if he chose someone to court … " She swallowed. "Me to court, attentions would move elsewhere. Aiden would no longer be a catch."

"Yes." Stalwood tilted his head. "Miss Fitzgilbert, I apologize on behalf of the Empire for the pain that this has caused you. But I assure you, no one went into this lightly, nor without great dismay."

"Do you really think Perry and Clairemont were using my business, my canals, to work against the Empire?" Gray asked.

Clairemont nodded. "We have a great deal of circumstantial evidence to show it. And Perry's actions today all but confirm it to be true. They insisted on moving the terminal port of your ferry to Withershank, yes?"

"A questionable decision you and I discussed," Gray conceded.

Clairemont shrugged. "Not questionable if you intend to take over the town and divert goods and whatever else you're moving through the canals to the enemy."

Gray gritted his teeth. "Do you think Perry is the one who killed Clairemont?"

Clairemont considered the question and all he'd seen that afternoon. "No, he seemed genuinely surprised when he saw me and realized I wasn't the man he expected to find in your parlor." He shook his head. "Had he been the killer, he would have known for certain that I was an imposter and probably been more prepared for my arrival."

"I suppose that's true," Gray said. "Then you think they have a partner."

Stalwood was the one who answered. "We do. Clairemont and I were going to do some research into your investors and associates, but you can make it easier on us by allowing us access to the information. Especially a list of anyone that Clairemont encouraged you to approach for involvement."

Gray shot Rosalinde and Celia a look, then turned his attention back to Clairemont. "I am disgusted by what you did to my family. And when this is over, you had best be ready to meet me at dawn to settle the damage you've done. But the idea that anyone would use my ventures to commit treason is appalling to its core. I feel compelled to help you in any way I can."

Clairemont pursed his lips. He deserved the duel that Gray was suggesting. He deserved far worse. "Thank you," he said softly.

Celia stepped toward him, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, she lifted her gaze to evenly meet his. Her blue eyes, which had always been so warm and welcoming and healing, were now cold as an icy sea. She was pale as the finest parchment when she raised her chin with a hint of defiance.

"We must all help," she said, her voice cracking.

Clairemont drew back, hardly able to breathe as he looked at her. "Celia?" he murmured.

Rosalinde stepped toward her and whispered the same. "Celia?"

She ignored her sister, and those icy blue eyes narrowed. "If our family were to suddenly cut you off, if our courtship were to end abruptly, it would draw more of that attention back to you, wouldn't it? It might even reveal your duplicity in some way."         

     



 

Clairemont could find no words to reply, but Stalwood spoke for him. "Yes."

"It could hurt many. Perhaps even lead to the deaths of some."

"Soldiers and spies," Clairemont admitted past a suddenly dry throat. "Depending on whether the real duke and his partners are moving weapons or information."

"Or both," Stalwood supplied, his concern clear in his tone.

"Then the courtship will continue," Celia said at last.

As Clairemont's lips parted in surprise, Rosalinde reached out and grabbed her sister's arm. "Celia, you don't have to do this. No one could expect it of you."

Celia kept her gaze firmly on him. "But I shall do it. I shall do it for my country."

Clairemont's hands began to shake and he shoved them behind his back as he nodded slowly. "I appreciate that, Celia. I certainly don't deserve it."

"Call me Miss Fitzgilbert," she said, then turned on her heel and paced away.

Stalwood sighed. "It has been a trying day for everyone and Clairemont and I must go and do some work regarding Perry. He is loose on the streets and must be contained if we can manage it."

Gray nodded. "Of course. In the mean time I will gather all correspondence from Clairemont for you. And I'll look into my records and compile any information that might lead you to Clairemont's partner."

"Excellent." Stalwood moved toward the door, but before they could leave, Rosalinde approached Clairemont. She stood before him, hardly more than a wisp of a woman in comparison to his strength. Without preamble, she slapped him hard across the face.

Celia spun around with a gasp, and for a moment no one in the room moved. Clairemont's cheek stung, but he didn't recoil. He simply stood and waited for her to repeat the action. He deserved no less.

Instead, she reached out to touch his hand. "That was for hurting my sister. But I also thank you for saving my husband today."

With that, Rosalinde turned and left the room. Gray followed, and then Stalwood. Clairemont waited for Celia to step away, as well, but she hung at the door, staring at him.

"You told me a few days ago that if I needed to sneak away I should call on you to help me," she said when the silence had stretched between them for what felt like forever.

"Yes," he said. "I did say that."

"Then meet me tonight, in the same place you dropped me off after I saw my grandfather," she said. She moved for the door. "Midnight. Don't be late."

Clairemont stared at her retreating back, then hurried to follow her. Did she truly want to meet in private with him after everything he'd done, everything that had been said?

It was a very bad idea. But he would do it. She deserved the privacy to fly at him, to curse him, to give him the hell he had earned.

And he couldn't help but want to be alone with her one last time.





Chapter Nineteen





Celia stood away from the door, but she couldn't help but stare at Aiden's retreating back as he made his way to his horse. His shoulders were stiff, rolled forward, and his pain was as clear as her own. Finally, Gray shut the foyer door and cut the image away.