Page 97

“You are right. If he gets drunk enough, he may cause more trouble—or, even better, reveal that he had orchestrated the attack.”

“Or he may attack you himself. In that case, it would be easier to link him to the attack.”

“Now, I would love to see him try and attack me,” Edwin scoffed, cracking his knuckles.

If the Earl dared to attack him, he would be all too happy to put him in his place right before he threw him behind bars.

“Now, this may pose more problems than it is worth, because what if he attacks the wrong person in a bid to attack you?” Magnus pointed out.

Something about his quizzical look jolted Edwin back to the present. He had been so focused on catching Wilbury that he forgot his biggest concern.

Ava.

His heart sank. “What if Wilbury attacks her?”

“I am afraid that might happen,” Magnus cautioned. “The man is rather mentally unstable at the moment.”

“I must protect her!” Edwin jumped to his feet and began scrambling around, looking for his coat and shoes.

How could he have been so foolish?

“Edwin. Edwin!” Magnus called as he rose from the couch. “You do not have to panic, I assure you.”

Edwin shook his head frantically. “But you do not know that. You have said it yourself—Wilbury is unpredictable.”

“That does not mean that he will attack your wife. In fact, he would be foolish to do that.”

“And yet we both know that he is capable of doing it. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to Ava.” Edwin’s hands shook as he tried to button up his shirt, and his stomach churned.

“I assure you, Edwin, nothing will happen to her,” Magnus insisted, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Your estate is secure, is it not? Wilbury would have to fight off your footmen before he could get to Ava.”

For the first time, Edwin felt a semblance of peace.

Magnus was right. It would not be so easy for Wilbury to attack Ava in the estate, especially not in full view of the servants.

“You are right. Ava is safe in the est—Oh no.” Edwin’s eyes widened with fear.

“What is it?”

“Ava doesn’t quite stay at home. What if she is attacked when she is out in London, shopping with her sisters or having tea with her friend?”

“Oh…” Even Magnus looked worried. “It is not impossible for a lady’s carriage to be attacked on the road.”

Edwin’s heart thudded hard against his ribs. “Ava must stay at home for now.”

“Not quite. You could assign guards to follow her wherever she goes,” Magnus suggested.

Edwin shook his head. “I cannot trust anyone with her safety. She must be around me at all times so I can ensure her safety. I cannot possibly leave anything to chance now.”

“I understand,” Magnus said. “It is your responsibility to keep your wife safe.”

Edwin’s mind was set on one thing only as he straightened his coat: protecting his wife.

“I must leave now,” he announced.