"I fired early," Pembroke admitted with visible reluctance, his voice barely audible. "The pressure of the moment overcame my judgment."
"Indeed, it did," Lucian agreed with grim satisfaction. "And now you will demonstrate whether any vestiges of that judgment remain by withdrawing your accusations against my wife and acknowledging the falsehood of your claims regarding my competence."
The demand for public retraction represented exactly the sort of humiliation that Pembroke had hoped to inflict upon his cousin, turned back upon him through his own dishonorable conduct.
"I withdraw my statements regarding Her Grace's character," he said with obvious difficulty. "My accusations wereunfounded and motivated by personal animosity rather than factual evidence."
"And my mental competence?"
"You are obviously possessed of sufficient faculties to manage your affairs and protect your family's honour. My claims to the contrary were malicious fabrications designed to advance my own financial interests."
The admission struck the assembled witnesses with considerable force, confirming what many had suspected while simultaneously destroying any credibility Pembroke might have retained.
"Excellent," Lucian said with satisfaction. "And now you will explain to these gentlemen exactly how your financial difficulties led you to fabricate evidence and suborn witnesses in your campaign against my marriage."
"My debts are considerable," Pembroke began with defeated resignation. "Upwards of fifty thousand pounds. Gaming debts primarily, though there are also obligations to moneylenders and other parties of questionable reputation. The competency proceedings represented my final hope of gaining control over the Ravenshollow estates before my creditors could take legal action."
"And the evidence you presented regarding my alleged incompetence?"
"Fabricated," Pembroke said with the sort of defeated honesty that marked the end of all pretense. "Bribed witnesses, forged documents, paid testimony from disgruntled former servants. None of it possessed any foundation in truth."
The comprehensive admission sent a wave of gasps and exclamations through the assembled witnesses that echoed across the heath like thunder.
"Oh, Heavens!" Lord Worthington exclaimed, his military bearing unable to conceal his shock at such a completeadmission of fraud.
"Fifty thousand pounds in debt?" Mr. Brookes muttered to his colleague. "The man was desperate enough for anything."
"Bribed witnesses," Ashford repeated with obvious disgust, clearly regretting his association with such dishonorable conduct. "To think I served as second to such a scoundrel."
"This will be all over London by noon," one of the other witnesses observed with the sort of relish that marked those who dealt in social intelligence. "The scandal will be enormous."
"As it should be," came the stern reply from Lord Melbourne, who had arrived just as the proceedings concluded. "Fraud against the courts, perjury, conspiracy. This goes far beyond mere family disputes."
***
Evangeline not being able to stay at home had gone to the place of the duel and felt the world tilt around her as the full implications of Pembroke's confession struck home. All of it—every accusation against Lucian's mental state, every suggestion that their marriage was invalid, every whispered doubt about his competence—had been deliberate lies constructed by a desperate man drowning in debt.
He knew,she realized with growing amazement.Lucian knew he was competent all along, yet he was willing to surrender everything because he believed I didn't truly love him.The magnitude of his planned sacrifice struck her with devastating force, revealing the depth of his feelings even as it highlighted the tragic misunderstanding that had nearly destroyed them both.
Her heart hammered against her stays as she watched him standing there in the morning mist, magnificent in his vindication yet still maintaining that careful emotional distance that had marked their recent interactions. Even now, evenafter proving his honor and competence before witnesses who would carry the tale throughout fashionable society, he seemed reluctant to meet her eyes directly.
What have we done to each other?she wondered with growing anguish.How did we come so close to destroying the most precious thing either of us has ever possessed?
"The betting books at White's will need considerable revision," someone was saying with dark humor. "Half the club had wagered on Ravenshollow's competency being upheld, but none anticipated such spectacular vindication."
"Pembroke's finished in society," another voice observed with satisfaction. "No gentleman will receive him after this display of cowardice and fraud."
"As he deserves," came the sharp reply. "To fabricate evidence against one's own family member is beyond the pale entirely."
Evangeline barely heard the continuing commentary as her attention remained fixed upon her husband, noting the way he accepted congratulations with polite reserve rather than triumph, the careful control he maintained over his posture and expression even in victory. He had risked everything to defend her honor, yet seemed to derive little satisfaction from his success.
He still believes I married him from necessity rather than choice,she realized with sudden clarity.This morning's events have vindicated his competence and destroyed his cousin's schemes, yet he remains convinced that I could never truly love a man so altered by war's violence.
The thought that he might continue his planned withdrawal from their marriage, even after such dramatic proof of his worth, filled her with desperate determination to bridge the chasm that misunderstanding had carved between them.
"I believe this matter is now settled," Blackwood announcedwith obvious relief. "Lord Pembroke's admissions are noted and will be properly recorded for any interested parties."
"Indeed they will," Worthington agreed with grim satisfaction. "I suspect the Court of Chancery will find such information most illuminating when reviewing the competency petition."
