Page 29 of Seducing a Stranger

Morley nodded. “I think that’s best.”

Her father’s shaking hand followed the length of his beard to his sternum. “For the sake of our department, Morley. Our reputation. If you take her to the Yard, I want it done quietly, do you hear me? I will not be humiliated more than needs be. Her innocence will be proven quickly enough.”

Tears finally pricked her eyes. Her father. Her stern, distant, self-aggrandizing father believed her at least. Believedinher.

Morley glared over at her, but this time his gaze lifted no further than the blood on her pearlescent gown. “That remains to be seen.”

Pru wanted to bury her head in her hands and cry. She almost did. But remembered the blood in time. She might have lost what was left of her wits if she’d smeared it on her face.

Morley stepped to her father and put a hand on his elbow. “She’ll be taken quietly. You have my word. You should inform the guests of the death, but not the murder… none of the details need be made public. And I think you’ll need to control your son-in-law.”

“Honoria will see to that,” her father stated with absolute faith.

Honoria controlled everything she possibly could.

Her father turned to Pru and she locked eyes with the man she’d desperately tried to please her entire life.

And she saw what broke her heart.

Doubt.

He might claim to believe her, but he didn’t in his heart.

“What am I going to tell your mother?”

He left before she could answer, taking the hand-wringing reverend with him.

And they were alone.

Pru looked down, locking her knees to keep from going to him. From prostrating herself in front of this stranger.

So much blood.

She’d been so proud of this dress. She’d loved it. And now… it was all she could do not to rip the blasted thing off and throw it in the fireplace.

They stared at each other for a silent eternity, and when she could bear it no longer, she took a step forward.

“Prudence Goode,” he stated blandly. “I’m arresting you under the suspicion of the murder of George Hamby-Forsyth, Earl of Sutherland.”

“It’syou.I know it’s you. I’ve been looking everywhere since that night—”

“I told you to leave him,” he said furiously, stabbing a finger at the body of her would-be husband. “Iorderedyou that night, and here you are.”

“I know.” Her miserable heart shriveled away from him.

“Did you do it?” he asked, his eyes snapping with constrained anger. “Did you kill him?”

“No! I just told you what happened. He was already—”

He held a hand up, turning half away as if he couldn’t stand to look at her before he gathered himself and faced her with a greater sense of calm.

“Tell me the truth,” he said with more restraint. “And this could be one more secret between us. Tell me now and I’ll do everything in my power to keep you from the gallows…”

Pru stared at him incredulously.He didn’t believe her.He truly didn’t think she was innocent. Her heart dropped like a stone. This man… this stranger who knew her more intimately than anyone in the world. This dream lover who’d treated her with more care than anyone in her life…

He thought she was a murderer.

“I won’t go to the gallows,” she said stoically. “I don’t need your help.”

“Like hell—”

“They won’t hang a woman in my condition.” Her hand went to her waist.Thishad been her secret. Not the murder.

His mouth opened soundlessly, and his fists curled shut as he stared at her for a multitude of shocked moments. “You’re…pregnant?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “And the child is yours.”