A Spring Deception (Seasons Book 2) (23 page)

“You lied,” Celia moaned into her hands. “You
lied
to me.”

“I did.” There was something in his even tone that made her look up. She found him staring at her evenly, all the pain on his face seeming very real. “I know you have
no
reason to believe me now, but I hated every moment I was forced to do so. I had no choice thanks to my case.”

“
What
case
?” Gray asked, stepping toward Aiden.

Celia recognized the way his posture went on alert. She’d seen it before, but now she understood it better. He was preparing to fight. Gray didn’t seem to care.

“Where is the
real
Clairemont?” Gray continued. “And why go to these depths, coming into our home and starting this courtship with Celia? Certainly that could have nothing to do with a case—it was only cruelty.”

Aiden flinched, and for a brief second, his eyes fluttered shut, like he was trying to find some control over his emotions. Then he looked right at her again and said, “The real Duke of Clairemont is…he’s dead.”

Celia let out a low sob that was so loud and mournful it surprised even her. She swallowed hard past the bile that had risen in her throat and prayed she wouldn’t proceed to be sick on her brother-in-law’s office rug in front of the man she loved.

Or was he the man she loved? He looked like him, but now he was telling her he was a lie, nothing but a lie. That everything he’d said or done was a lie.

“Clairemont,” came a hard voice from the door.

Everyone turned. There was a tall, thin, older man standing there, Gray’s butler behind him. Celia recognized him as the Earl of Stalwood. He was a distinguished member of Society. And he was staring evenly at Aiden.

Aiden almost sagged in relief. “I had hoped you would be at home when my message arrived.”

Stalwood jerked out a nod as the butler left them in privacy. He reached behind himself to tug the door shut. “Just barely.” He glanced around the room, looking at each of them, and then he frowned deeply. He faced Aiden, their eyes met and a world of communication flowed between them before he said, “Report.”

Aiden straightened up, his shoulders coming back, his tone becoming clipped and precise as he said, “Perry was here, he recognized I wasn’t Clairemont. Shot at Danford. He escaped after a foot chase through the park.”

Gray moved forward. “Do either of you want to bloody well explain what the ever loving
fuck
is going on?”

Celia flinched at the redness of her brother-in-law’s face and the harsh language she knew he would never normally use in front of her or even Rosalinde.

“You don’t have to do this,” Aiden said softly, his gaze on Stalwood. “You’ve never broken cover before.”

“This case is not average, though, is it? It’s more complicated, and I think, this is the best path. For the case. And for
you
.”

Aiden’s mouth thinned, and it was clear he was struggling even though Celia didn’t understand why. Finally, he waved a hand as if in surrender and turned away.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Danford,” Stalwood said, turning toward Gray with an incline of his head. “Clearly you have some information now that Clairemont’s identity has been broken. That is why I’ve come. It’s the same reason why I’m going to tell you now what very few know. I work for the War Department, as well.”

“He’s my handler,” Aiden said softly. “He assigns and manages cases for me and several others.”

Gray stepped back. He expression was bright with shock. “And are you truly the Earl of Stalwood or did you two kill
him
, as well?”

Stalwood frowned. “I
am
the Earl of Stalwood and no one from our department killed the duke, I assure you.” He shifted and looked at Rosalinde and Celia. “Perhaps the ladies should step out.”

Celia moved on him, her hands clenched at her sides. “I’m not going anywhere, my lord. You and this…this
man
engaged in a subterfuge that involved me more than anyone else. I have every right to hear the details as much as Gray does.”

Gray folded his arms. “I agree. Celia stays if that is what she desires.”

She shot him a look of gratitude even as she reached back to find Rosalinde’s hand. When her sister’s fingers laced through hers, she drew a long, deep breath. “Now, Lord Stalwood, you and Aiden…Clairemont…whoever he is…you owe all of us the whole truth. Please start telling us now.”

Clairemont stared at Celia, taking in the way she lifted her chin in defiance, how she held herself with such strength when he could see the tears sparkling in her eyes. He had never loved her more than in this moment, where she stood toe to toe with a wall of lies and deceptions and faced it down like a warrior woman.

Of course, he was also keenly aware that her tears had been caused by him and only him.

Stalwood cleared his throat and drew Clairemont’s attention back to him. He had never expected his superior to reveal himself. But he was keenly aware that Stalwood was doing it for him, because of their long and personal relationship. He recognized the power of that and appreciated Stalwood’s attempts to help him, even if he feared they would be fruitless.

“Very well, Miss Fitzgilbert,” Stalwood said, “if your guardians believe you should be here, I won’t dare to argue. First, let me restate that no one in my department killed the Duke of Clairemont. He was bludgeoned to death by an unknown party.”

Celia flinched and Clairemont longed to go to her. To take the hand that held Rosalinde’s and pull her in, soothe her. But she refused to look at him. It was like he wasn’t there at all. She took her strength from her sister now. She no longer wanted him.

“Of course, we had to investigate,” Stalwood said, and Clairemont forced his attention back to the very important matters at hand.

He wasn’t surprised that Stalwood was giving Danford all the information now that he’d started down that path. They no longer suspected him, and since Gray already knew part of the truth, it was better to give him all and hope he would become an ally. Though judging from Gray’s angry expression, Clairemont wasn’t certain that was possible.

“Wouldn’t that normally be the purveyance of the guard rather than the Department of
War
?” Gray asked, his voice still hard as steel.

Stalwood inclined his head slightly. “Perhaps under normal circumstances. These were not. What I am about to tell you must never leave this room. Not only was the Duke of Clairemont an important member of Society, but he was…let us say…involved in some damning activities that had attracted our interest for some time.”

“You think the
real
Duke of Clairemont was involved in some kind of treason?” Rosalinde asked, her voice catching.

Clairemont shook his head and forced himself to speak. “Not think.
Know
.”

“Then why not simply arrest him?” Gray snapped. “That could have saved everyone the pain that has been caused by your subterfuge.”

Gray shot a glance at Celia, and Clairemont gritted his teeth. His whole body hurt from the tension and self-loathing pumping through him.

Stalwood came to his rescue by replying, “We were aware of him for some time, but couldn’t directly tie him to his suspicions or get close enough to stop him. But it seems someone he was working with killed him. We didn’t know who, but his vast correspondence gave us a great many suspects.”

Gray stepped back. “His vast correspondence?” he repeated. “You mean with me?”

Stalwood nodded. “With you and some others, Mr. Danford.”

“You suspected
my husband
?” Rosalinde asked, her tone filled with outrage. “The man would no sooner consider treason than he would think to cut off his own arm. He is working to
further
the Empire, not damage it. How dare you?”

Gray smiled softly at her. “I appreciate the defense, my love, and all you say is true.” He turned his gaze on Clairemont. “But I suppose you had to explore all options. And do you
still
suspect me?”

“No,” Clairemont said firmly, happy at least to be able to say that. It was the only place where he hadn’t betrayed this family entirely. “After connecting with you and some deeper investigation, it became clear that you weren’t involved in the schemes. However, we don’t rule out that Clairemont and men like Perry were using your enterprises to manipulate and plot against king and country.”

Celia slowly stood. She looked toward Clairemont but didn’t meet his gaze.

“
That’s
why you got close to me,” she whispered.

“Oh, Celia,” Rosalinde breathed.

Celia shook her off. “You needed to investigate Gray, and a courtship with me would put you in the middle of his home. I was merely a conduit by which to insert yourself.”

She said the words so coldly that Clairemont had to physically restrain himself so he wouldn’t turn away from her words and her demeanor. “Celia—” he whispered.

Stalwood stepped forward. “Miss Fitzgilbert, let me explain something. This man is my best agent. He has saved the lives of hundreds of men and women, both in the field and here at home either through direct or indirect action. He is a hero.”

Clairemont dipped his head, loving the man for trying, but knowing he didn’t deserve such praise. Especially now.

“That is well and good, but you will not convince me that manipulating my sister is an act of heroism,” Rosalinde said with a glare that could have frozen Stalwood’s heart.

Stalwood ignored her. His focus was still on Celia. “When the idea of courting you to further our motives came up, I assure you, he was entirely against the idea.
I
insisted.”

Celia’s jaw worked, like she was digesting that idea. But still she didn’t look at Clairemont. “Why?” she asked.

Stalwood folded his arms. “As you suggested, it was in order to get closer to Danford, yes. But also because the return of the Duke of Clairemont to Society caused a bit more of a stir than we anticipated it would. All eyes were suddenly on him, the attention so intense that it kept him from being able to fade into the background easily.”

“And if he chose someone to court…” She swallowed. “
Me
to court, attentions would move elsewhere. Aiden would no longer be a catch.”

“Yes.” Stalwood tilted his head. “Miss Fitzgilbert, I apologize on behalf of the Empire for the pain that this has caused you. But I assure you, no one went into this lightly, nor without great dismay.”

“Do you really think Perry and Clairemont were using my business, my canals, to work against the Empire?” Gray asked.

Clairemont nodded. “We have a great deal of circumstantial evidence to show it. And Perry’s actions today all but confirm it to be true. They insisted on moving the terminal port of your ferry to Withershank, yes?”

“A questionable decision you and I discussed,” Gray conceded.

Clairemont shrugged. “Not questionable if you intend to take over the town and divert goods and whatever else you’re moving through the canals to the enemy.”

Gray gritted his teeth. “Do you think Perry is the one who killed Clairemont?”

Clairemont considered the question and all he’d seen that afternoon. “No, he seemed genuinely surprised when he saw me and realized I wasn’t the man he expected to find in your parlor.” He shook his head. “Had he been the killer, he would have known for certain that I was an imposter and probably been more prepared for my arrival.”

“I suppose that’s true,” Gray said. “Then you think they have a partner.”

Stalwood was the one who answered. “We do. Clairemont and I were going to do some research into your investors and associates, but you can make it easier on us by allowing us access to the information. Especially a list of anyone that Clairemont encouraged you to approach for involvement.”

Gray shot Rosalinde and Celia a look, then turned his attention back to Clairemont. “I am disgusted by what you did to my family. And when this is over, you had best be ready to meet me at dawn to settle the damage you’ve done. But the idea that anyone would use
my
ventures to commit treason is appalling to its core. I feel compelled to help you in any way I can.”

Clairemont pursed his lips. He deserved the duel that Gray was suggesting. He deserved far worse. “Thank you,” he said softly.

Celia stepped toward him, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, she lifted her gaze to evenly meet his. Her blue eyes, which had always been so warm and welcoming and healing, were now cold as an icy sea. She was pale as the finest parchment when she raised her chin with a hint of defiance.

“We must
all
help,” she said, her voice cracking.

Clairemont drew back, hardly able to breathe as he looked at her. “Celia?” he murmured.

Rosalinde stepped toward her and whispered the same. “Celia?”

She ignored her sister, and those icy blue eyes narrowed. “If our family were to suddenly cut you off, if our courtship were to end abruptly, it would draw more of that attention back to you, wouldn’t it? It might even reveal your duplicity in some way.”

Clairemont could find no words to reply, but Stalwood spoke for him. “Yes.”

“It could hurt many. Perhaps even lead to the deaths of some.”