“She told me,” Kenneth replied, leaning back in his chair as he crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on his mother who scoffed.
“Well then if the lady said she was pushed, I am sure she was,” the Duchess said, her tone laced with insincerity. “She surely would not say such things to garner sympathy from this family she’s attempting to become a part of, against the wishes of its matriarch.”
“Judith, I have had quite enough of your poison tongue. The entire household, indeed, the entire neighborhood know that Lady Ruth is not your choice. However, our son has made his, and we must support it. Unless you would rather not have a wedding at all, and without a wedding the certainty of their not being an heir.”
“Speaking of the heir, I have a very good idea who was responsible for this fall and who pushed her down the stairs.”
Both his parents looked up at him and he went on with his explanation.
“Ruth’s memory was impacted by the fall of course, but she remembers clearly a confrontation between you, my dear mother and herself at the top of the stairs, just before.”
She gasped at this. “She accuses me? That wretched girl.”
“No, Mother. She has made no such accusations. However, it was because of the confrontation between the two of you that she was extra vigilant as she approached the stairs. She informs me she heard the door and looked up, worried it might be you again, come to involve her in another quarrel.
The Duchess’ nostrils flared and he knew she was getting ready for yet another rebuttal, but his father silenced her with one sharp look.
“It was because of that attention she paid that she saw Lawrence exit his chamber, a few steps away from the stairs. Moments after, she was pushed down the stairs and then kicked as she attempted to hold on to the railing.”
“Kicked?” The Duke’s voice was higher in pitch than usual at this declaration.
“Indeed. The physician examined her this morning and found bruises in the exact area where she says she was kicked. I venture to say that it was indeed Lawrence who pushed her, in an attempt to cause her great harm, or even death.”
“But why? I do not understand,” Kenneth’s father said. “What does he stand to gain from harming her?”
To Kenneth’s surprise, it was his mother who spoke up and lead credence to his summation.
“We all know how steadfastly Kenneth has refused marriage, insisting upon marrying only for that elusive connection he refers to as love. It stands to reason that Lawrence believes if Lady Ruth met an untimely end, Kenneth would be unlikely to wed any other. If Kenneth refuses to marry, he will be the last Duke in our family and the title will naturally go to Lawrence and his heirs.”
“He may even hope I might die young from a broken heart, vile as he is,” Kenneth said with distaste.
“Indeed. Even if this was not the case, if she did not die, he might still have hoped that she will be injured enough to prevent an heir from being born. He is a simpleton. We cannot put too much stock in his thoughts and ideas. However, he would stoop so low as to attempt murder, that I readily believe.”
Kenneth was surprised to find himself in such agreement with his mother. Most days, they did not see eye to eye on anything, especially not when it involved Lady Ruth. His father, on the other hand, did not seem to agree with their conclusions.
“I must caution the both of you from making assumptions and passing judgement. I have no more love for my nephew than either of you, the thought of him succeeding me as Duke is one of my worst nightmares. He is a louse and a weasel, and I am ashamed of him on the best of days. However, even if Ruth saw him at the top of the stairs, that does not mean he was the one who pushed her. We cannot convict him without evidence.”
“Then what do you propose we do, Father? Nothing and wait until he strikes again?”
His mother shook her head. “That we cannot risk. The scandal if he committed a murder or even attempt it on the grounds of Goldclaw Manor would ruin our reputation throughout society. We would always be the family who was connected to a murderer. We cannot have that.”
Kenneth lowered his eyes.
Of course, she cares about nothing but our reputation. She does not care about Ruth or what Lawrence might do to her. Only how it would affect her and her reputation. Her standing in society.
His mother was by no means done, either. “You do both know how hapless Lawrence is. He would surely be caught. Indeed, if he succeeded. he might be silly enough to announce it himself by accident one of these days. He loves to boast about his dubious accomplishments at the best of times.”
She broke into a wide smile then, a sight so rarely seen that Kenneth found it unsettling.
“I say we use this as our opportunity to rid ourselves of Lawrence Cragshade, once and for all.”
“Judith, Judith, Judith, I see your devious mind hard at work.” Her husband sighed and dropped his shoulders as he shook his head, his resignation painted all across his face. “Go on then, share your plans with us if you will,” he requested through gritted teeth.
The Duchess picked up her teacup, sticking her pinky up in the air as she always did.
“It’s a simple plan. We watch him carefully. We will ask a couple of trusted servants for assistance. If he has the opportunity, he will surely attempt to strike again. Once he sets out to, we will stop him, catch him, and the constables will take him away. The attempted murder of the daughter of a Peer of the Realm will see him in the gaol. Even if Kenneth never has an heir, neither will Lawrence. The line will die out. A grave shame, but preferable to Lawrence ruining our legacy.”
Kenneth felt a burning rage spread in his stomach, not for his cousin and the plans his mother had for him. No, not at all. For an entirely different reason.