There was a pounding of boots, and he lifted his head to see Taunton and then Brett barrel onto the balcony. He gave them a brief nod, which Taunton returned, his eyes on his daughter. Julia looked up, and seeing her father, she ran into his open arms.
Taunton held his daughter. “I thank you.”
“No, I thank you,” Daniel said, grinning.
“It was your cousin,” Brett said, wonder in his voice. “Lord Bryant shot him. The man’s a crack shot. Probably years of watching birds. Has a keen eye.”
“I owe him my life.”
“I would say you are even,” Brett said. “Had he mailed you Shaw’s package, this might have been avoided. Lord Bryant said he had received a letter from you saying you were returning home, so he was holding Shaw’s papers until you visited. Thought to turn them over to you in person. What the devil was in them?”
“Confessions and a change in my inheritance. Later, I will explain it all later,” Daniel said, a weariness sweeping over him.
Julia stepped away from her father and returned to his side. “I am sorry about Edmund, Daniel. So very sorry. I had no idea he was . . .” She shuddered. “Thank God you ruined me.”
“It was my greatest pleasure.” He tucked a loose curl around her ear. “I am sorry, too. But I have friends who stand beside me, a new family, a wife whom I love dearly, and a nursery to fill. All things considered, that is pretty good for a scrawny runt.”
Julia smiled, her eyes shining with love. “Let us go home.”
He hesitated, and then cleared his throat. “About that. It seems we will be residing at Bedford Hall. You will make a magnificent duchess.”
“As long as you are there, Your Grace.”
“Just try to rid yourself of me,” Daniel murmured, pulling her into his arms.
He had claimed his destiny.