A Murder in Time(148)

Would’ve. Could’ve. Should’ve.

Sam cleared his throat. “I won’t be staying long, lass. I . . . I just wanted ter see how you’re doin’. And ter say that you’ve got pluck ter the backbone. Female or not, you’d make a damn fine Bow Street Runner.”

Kendra stared at him in surprise. “Why, thank you, Mr. Kelly.”

“And I thought you’d want ter know that me man got back from the north. Mr. Dalton’s wife looked nothin’ like the other lasses. He also discovered a bit of gossip. Mr. Dalton’s wife died giving birth ter her lover’s child in Geneva.”

Rebecca put a hand to her throat. “Oh, how dreadful. ’Tis little wonder that Mr. Dalton did not want to discuss what had happened to her.”

Sam nodded. “I’ll be taking Thomas’s body back ter London for Dr. Munroe’s anatomy school. He never can find enough specimens.”

“’Tis that ridiculous law,” the Duke muttered angrily. “To restrict surgeons to only criminals who have swung in the gallows is the height of stupidity. How else can they expect to refine their skills if they aren’t given a broader selection?”

“Well, it won’t be a problem with Thomas since he’d have hung at Newgate,” Sam remarked cheerfully.

“I daresay Thomas will serve a better purpose for Dr. Munroe in death than he ever did in his miserable life,” Rebecca added. When the men gaped at her, she lifted her brows haughtily. “What? I am not to offer my honest opinion?”

Kendra suppressed a smile. She wasn’t the only female in the room that had pluck.

“What about Morland?” she asked. Something inside her tightened when she saw the men exchange glances.

Aldridge was the one who answered. “He will be buried in his family crypt at Tinley Park.”

Kendra fixed her good eye on him. And knew. “No one will know the truth, will they? He’ll be buried without anyone knowing that he was responsible for the death of those women. The death of Rose.”

“’Tis for the best.”

“Whose best?” she wondered aloud, bitterly.

Aldridge spread his hands. “My dear . . . there are innocent people to consider. Lady Anne may not be in her right mind, but she does not deserve to live out the remainder of her days under a cloud of suspicion.”

Kendra thought of Lady Anne. Had she ever been innocent? Morland had been born out of an incestuous relationship between Lady Anne and her father. Morland had implied that she’d been a willing participant and even continued the incest with the son, an abuse that had helped shape the monster that he’d become.

Yet could she believe anything that came out of the mouth of a psychopath? And even if Lady Anne wasn’t innocent then, her mind was undoubtedly shattered now.

The Duke continued, “And the servants at Tinley Park do not deserve to have their characters spoiled by the scandal. Right or wrong, they would have a difficult time finding other employment if it became known that they had served such a villain.”

Kendra wondered about that as well. Were they really ignorant of what had been going on at Tinley Park? Or had they turned a blind eye?

Aldridge’s blue eyes were grave as he regarded her. “It has to be enough for us to know that the madness ends with Morland’s death.”

There was an irony here, Kendra reflected. The cover-up involving Sir Jeremy had brought her to England, to Aldridge Castle on that specific night, at that particular moment in time. That had been the beginning of her journey. Was it chance? Or fate?

Gabriel had chosen the correct moment to come into the cave; the interruption had saved her life and cost him his. And Molly had unwittingly saved her life by insisting on pinning up her hair that morning. Without those hairpins, she’d never have been able to free herself.

Little twists and turns, she thought again.

Kendra became aware that everyone was waiting for her to say something. “I suppose there’s no point in forcing the issue,” she said slowly. “Morland’s dead. That’s what matters.”

Aldridge’s smile was tinged with relief. “Thank you, my dear. Now, we shall leave. You must rest.”

“A moment, Duke,” Alec said. “I need to speak with Miss Donovan.”

Sam was already out the door, but Rebecca and Aldridge hesitated, their gazes speculative. Kendra could feel her cheeks heat, but doubted anyone would notice with the bruising.

“Do not tire the girl, Alec,” the Duke admonished lightly, before taking Rebecca’s arm. “Come, my dear.”

Kendra put the poultice down and looked at Alec.

“Bloody hell,” he breathed. “Are you certain you are all right?”

“Sure. Let’s go dancing.”

He shook his head. “I think I died a thousand times when I saw you in that room.”

She didn’t know what to say. The last time they’d been alone, she’d told him that she was a time traveler. She wasn’t sure if that had worked out for her.

Alec let out a sigh, and looked away. After a moment, he brought a piece of paper out of his pocket. “I received this letter today. ’Tis a reply to the note I’d dispatched to Mr. John Murray. He is a bookseller in London. Specifically, he is the publisher of Pride and Prejudice.”

“Oh.” She knew where this was going now.