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.""Mrs.Damrill, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance." Signor Moscabowed slightly and spoke in flawless English."Likewise." Serenity feared she spoke directly to her future gaoler."Arturo had investigated the former Earl of Chetwood's death, and well, Arturo,please tell my friends what you've concluded."Mosca was a short, affable, well-fed man of an age with Lucien, stylishly dressedthough balding rather prematurely.Serenity feared his smile belied the horrible newshe would soon impart.Terror consumed her until she thought she might wretch."My friends, I have indeed determined the death of the earl was of a naturalorigin.According to the doctors I have consulted, the earl died of problems related tohis heart.His body was examined, and without going into too much detail in deferenceto the lady, it appears the gentleman died in his sleep and had been dead many hoursbefore discovery."Martyn jumped up from the chair and stalked to where Signor Mosca stoodbeside Serenity."This is simply not so! Not so at all.This woman killed him; I am sureof it."Serenity's gaze darted from Martyn to Prentice to Signor Mosca, avoiding Lucienaltogether."I am sorry, your lordship, but I have it on the best authority, your brother, mayhe rest in peace, died by no one's hand but that of God, who no doubt called him homemuch sooner than you would have liked." Mosca raised a wary eyebrow.Martyn mumbled, clearly defeated.Suddenly, he shouted, "Can she not becharged with some crime? She left him and notified no one of his passing."Signor Mosca raised both eyebrows in Serenity's direction, silently concedingMartyn's point."Her failure was of a moral nature, my friend.She must live with thatfor all her days."Martyn retrieved his hat and silently left the room.For all his previous bluster,he shuffled out as though the news had hit him hard in the gut.Serenity would have liked to give him some words of condolence, for they both had shared the life of WinsorThorndyke, but prudence kept her from embarrassing Lucien or herself any further.Lucien had not moved, sitting transfixed in his leather chair behind his desk.He'd listened to everything Signor Mosca had said and realized he was relieved his wifehad done nothing worse than fail to notify the authorities.His simmering jealousy ofthe dead man came to a boil.Prentice and Mosca spoke in hushed tones while Serenityremained seated in the chair, her head bowed.He could hear the muted sounds of hersobs.Her shoulders bobbed up and down as she dabbed her nose with a lacehandkerchief.Lucien had felt his life had slipped into a state of numbness since hearing ofSerenity's activities in Italy.During the past weeks, myriad emotions had overtakenhim, not the least of which was shame.He'd been unable and apparently unwilling todo what a husband must in order to keep his wife at home where she belonged.He'dbeen all too willing to watch her travel out of his life and did nothing but ignore her.When she finally presented herself on his doorstep, his only thought was of carnalpleasures.Of all the emotions he should be feeling, he'd never accepted the realpossibility he could ever care for her, as a husband should care for his wife.He allowed his eyes to fall upon her pathetic figure.She was obviouslyconsumed in a maelstrom of emotions, all of which were being uncomfortablydisplayed before strangers.Lucien rose from his chair and in three long steps, knelt before his wife.Heplaced his strong hand over hers in her lap and lightly squeezed."Gentlemen, Iappreciate all you have done to clear my wife's name, but I feel I must get her to thesanctity of her chamber.This has been quite an ordeal."Prentice nodded and placed a hand on Arturo's shoulder."Lucien, it was mypleasure to do what I could to help the lovely Mrs.Damrill.Arturo, there are manydelights to be had at the Sapphire Club, and my friend, you have earned them all.I amsure we can find you an accommodating partner.Possibly Lady Foxworth would be willing to show you around." Prentice bowed to Serenity, clapped Lucien on the backand escorted Mosca from the room."Come, my dear, let me get you to your chamber.You need to rest."Serenity remained steadfast in her chair.Her body stiffened under his hand.Hecould feel her anger."Get your hands off me," Serenity growled slowly, emphasizing each word.Lucien removed his hands as though scalded.Slowly, her head came up, her eyes transfixed, as cold as death."Now you believeme?""Yes, of course, I believe you.""No, not 'of course'.You did not believe what I told you until someone else toldyou the way of it.You believed me to be a liar and worse, a murderer, until SignorMosca traveled all the way from Italy to tell you differently.What does that say of youropinion of me, Lucien?"He bowed his head.Shame shrouded him, veiling him in the certainty there wasno way out of this situation.He wanted a way out; he wanted his wife; he wanted hismarriage.He'd been a fool for not seeing Serenity for the strong woman she was, buthe'd resisted her at every turn
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