Be vigilant, Juliet. The path ahead is fraught with danger, and I trust you to navigate it with the strength and grace that have always been your nature.
With all my love and a brother’s concern,
Bradley
Still reeling from Bradley’s words, she lowered the letter and handed it to Ewan. The silence was deafening.
“We must act.” Those weren’t just words. In her heart, they were a vow. “Bradley’s last wish was to protect us and expose the viper’s treachery. I owe it to him to see this through.”
Ewan’s eyes met hers, filled with determination. “Juliet. This fight is ours now, yours and mine. Together, we will bring theviper to justice and protect our families.” Ewan folded the letter and handed it to her. “We have what we need. I’ll ask Barrington to speak to Reynolds. Now, let’s see this through—for Bradley.”
As she turned to leave the room, she paused. “What confuses me is what part Fray and Eclipse played in all this?”
“Do you mean Whitby and Gray?” Lord Aurington asked.
Juliet and the others stood and waited.
“Whitby or Fray was deeply in debt. Gray, or Eclipse, was helping him. They were trying to gather information to help me to protect Ewan and expose Sebastian. They were allies, not enemies. Bradley misunderstood their intentions.”
“There is no doubt.” Lord Aurington stood firm. “Sebastian has been behind the crooked games, the thievery, and even the deaths. Your brother saw it. I read a few more pages in his diary. Are you familiar with the King’s Gambit? It’s a chess opening where a pawn is sacrificed to gain a stronger position.”
Juliet nodded, her curiosity piqued. “Yes, Duncan has explained it to me. But how does that relate to our situation?”
Aurington leaned forward. His voice was filled with urgency. “Sebastian’s moves have been calculated and bold, much like the King’s Gambit. He’s sacrificed pawns—Bradley, Quinto, and he tried to sacrifice me—to position himself for a greater gain. But just like in chess, his arrogance will be his downfall. He believes he’s outmaneuvered us, but we’ve seen through his strategy.”
Juliet’s eyes widened as the metaphor clicked into place. “Sebastian’s been playing a dangerous game, thinking he’s always one step ahead. But now, we have the advantage.”
Aurington nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. “Exactly.”
“Lady Glenraven,”
“Yes, my lord?” Her heart skipped a beat as her husband’s words resonated deeply. The title felt like a promise, a declaration of their bond.
A warm smile lit Ewan’s face. “Go with Aunt Geraldine and get ready for the evening. I’m looking forward to seeing the look on Sebastian’s face when we announce our marriage.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
The grand ballroomof Aurington Park was spectacular. The air was thick with the murmurs of the elite and the subtle fragrance of opulence.
“I made my husband change his plans to attend this evening. I had no intention of missing this event.” Ewan stifled a grin as he nodded at Lady Campbell as he slipped by. He was confident Lord Campbell would rather be at his country house fishing.
Juliet deserved credit for the overwhelming attendance, which gave him a degree of satisfaction, but his sights were still on the rest of the evening. The room was a sea of finery and whispered speculations—rumors of royalty attending the event sent ripples of excitement through the crowd.
Juliet had yet to enter, and her absence was as conspicuous to him as the glittering chandeliers above. The archbishop mingled with dignitaries, his presence lending a solemn grace to the evening. The Ashfields surveyed the room with keen eyes. Sebastian’s arrival, marked by a certain pompous air, drew the attention of many, his confidence bordering on arrogance. With Duncan’s skillful help, Ewan was able to avoid him.
With all but one of the necessary players in place, Ewan needed a moment. He excused himself from the conversation with his friend Mr. Thomas and made his way to the library. The promise of solitude and brandy seemed a welcome reprieve.
When he entered the room, he found neither solitude nor the need for a drink. Instead, he was met with a vision that arrested his every sense.
Juliet stood by the window, the soft candlelight creating an enticing image. She wore her dark green gown, the fabric hugging her form in a silent echo of their wedding day. The sight of her, poised and magnificent, had him speechless.
Regaining his composure, he approached her. “Lady Glenraven, you look ravishing this evening.” His voice carried a gentle formality. His words were sincere yet tempered by the reserve that had grown between them.
Juliet turned, her eyes meeting his, and in them, he saw a reflection of the same complex emotions he felt. “Thank you, my lord.”
Rather than reach for the decanter, Ewan extended his arm in a silent invitation. “Shall we join the others?” The simplicity of the gesture contradicted the significance of the moment. “Your plan has worked better than you could have expected. We will be fortunate if there is room to walk and greet the guests. Everyone is here, including Sebastian.”
“Of course.” She placed her hand on his arm, accepting their tenuous truce, and together, they stepped into the ballroom.
