Tempting the Prince(103)
Mikhail slanted his younger brother a smile and took another sip of his whisky. He wasn’t in the mood for his brothers’ jests and good-natured taunts, all his mental energy focusing on his wife.
“You have always been the most reasonable Kazanov,” Viktor said.
“Even peacemakers lose their tempers,” Drako remarked.
“Lavinia lost her composure and left the ball,” Rudolf told him.
Mikhail grimaced and rubbed his forehead, regretting what he’d done. He had always disliked making others uncomfortable. Losing his wife was no excuse for ungentlemanly behavior. Lavinia was not responsible for his lies. He hadn’t solved any problem, merely spread the misery around.
“You should not feel guilty,” Rudolf said.
“I feel no guilt,” Mikhail lied.
Rudolf smiled at him. “You have become quite an accomplished liar, brother.”
“I have no doubt that escaping her punishment appealed to Raven,” the Duke of Inverary said, “but you should have ordered Belle to stay home.”
“Have you ever given your wife an order?” Mikhail asked his father-in-law.
The duke narrowed his gaze on him. “Yes, of course.”
“Did Her Grace actually obey your order without complaint or argument or making your life a misery?”
The duke gave him a long look, clearly reluctant to answer the question. “I understand your point.”
A knock on the door drew their attention. Tinker announced, “Constable Black and Lord Blake have arrived.”
“Escort them here,” the duke instructed, “and then fetch Sophia and Tulip with their sketches.”
Upon entering the study, Amadeus Black and Alexander Blake shook the duke’s hand and accepted the glasses of whisky that Prince Rudolf passed them. A moment later, Sophia and Tulip walked into the room.
Their sketch pictured a good-looking man, his features pleasant but nondescript. There were no identifying marks on his face, nothing to set him apart from others.
“He does look familiar,” Mikhail said, “but I cannot put a name to the face.”
“The villain is pretty rather than handsome,” Tulip remarked, staring at the image of the man who had murdered her twin sister. “His mother must boss her baby monster around.”
The princes, the constable, and the duke smiled at her simplistic opinion.
“Your Grace, Squire Wilkins requests an interview with Constable Black,” Tinker said from the doorway, drawing their attention. “Apparently, the constable’s assistant directed him here. The squire has important information regarding the Slasher.”
Amadeus Black looked at the princes and the duke. “I suppose you want to listen.”
“Escort the squire here,” the duke instructed his man, and then looked at the two young women. “You may leave now.”
“I have faced that insane murderer,” Tulip said, her hands on her hips. “If you want me to leave, you will need to drag me away.”
The Duke of Inverary and the Kazanov princes smiled at her bravado. At a nod from the constable, the duke said, “You may remain, but I want no outbursts.”
Tinker escorted Squire Wilkins into the study. The squire stopped short when he saw the gathered group.
“Sit here,” Mikhail said, standing to offer his seat.
Folding his arms across his chest, Mikhail leaned against the floor-to-ceiling bookcase to watch the proceedings. He noted the majordomo had left the door slightly ajar. If he yanked the door open, he would find the man eavesdropping.
“What is this important information?” Constable Black asked.
“I know the Slasher’s identity,” Wilkins said, casting an apprehensive glance around the group. “Before telling you, I must confess to a crime. On my mother’s orders, I slashed Belle Flambeau’s face.”
“Bastard.” In a flash of movement, Mikhail grabbed the squire with both hands and slammed him into the bookcase. Books toppled off the shelves, striking both men. Mikhail raised his fist to strike, but his eldest brother wrapped his arms around him, pulling him away.
“The law will take care of him,” Rudolf growled, tightening his hold.
Every instinct urged Mikhail to shake his brother off and kill the other man. Gradually, his breathing slowed and he composed himself.
“Tell me the reason your mother wanted my wife hurt.”
“Mother wanted Charles to marry a woman with money and status,” Wilkins answered. “She knew Charles would reject her if Belle’s beauty was marred.”
“I want Charlotte Wingate prosecuted,” Mikhail told the constable.
“Justice will be done,” Amadeus Black promised, and then turned to the squire. “Give me the information regarding the Slasher.”