Page 177 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

Only after the physician departed did the room finally grow quiet. Jane remained beside her mother for several moments. Then she slowly stood.

Hector knew immediately what was coming. She turned toward Zachary. Her uncle looked exhausted.

The slap echoed through the room. Hector did not move. He could not blame her. Zachary’s face turned sharply.

Jane’s hand trembled at her side. “Howcouldyou?” Her voice broke. “How could you bring that man near us?”

Zachary looked away. “I did not know.” The words came quickly. Almost desperately. “I swear to you, I did not know what he intended.”

Jane stared at him. “You expect me to believe that?”

“It is the truth.” His voice shook. “I thought he wanted leverage.”

Hector’s jaw tightened. “Leverage.”

Zachary flinched. “I believed he wanted to force the duke to stop interfering. To frighten you. Perhaps use information against him.”

“You thought kidnapping my wife and her mother was acceptable?”

“No.” Zachary shook his head. “No. I did not know it would become this.”

Hector stepped forward. The urge to put his fist through Zachary’s face was almost overwhelming. This man had handed Jane to a criminal. Whether he understood the consequences or not changed very little.

But Jane had already suffered enough. Another act of violence would not fix anything.

“You were bribed.”

Zachary lowered his eyes. “Yes.”

“Explain.”

He swallowed. “Strachan approached me after I became steward. He knew my frustrations. He knew I wanted control ofthe earldom.” A bitter laugh escaped him. “I thought he could help me.”

Hector looked at him with disgust. “You sold your own family for a title.”

Zachary had no answer.

Then Hector spoke. “You will leave London.”

Zachary looked up. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“But the earldom.”

Hector’s expression remained cold. “I will speak with the necessary authorities. You may continue managing the estate from the countryside.”

Zachary stared. “And here?”

“Any matters requiring attention in London will be handled through me.”

“You cannot simply take control.”

“Perhaps not, in ordinary circumstances.” Hector’s voice lowered. “But an accessory to attempted murder does not possess the bargaining position he believes he does.”

Zachary’s face fell.

Jane stepped forward. “You helped him trap us.” Her voice was quieter now. “You brought my mother and me into that room knowing something was wrong.”