Read Online The Duke Who Knew Too Much by Grace Callaway - Free Book Online

with proof that you were involved in Lady Osgood’s death.”
    Bloody Emma Kent. I’m going to wring her neck.
    “The testimony is utter claptrap.”
    “I don’t doubt it.” Tremont steepled his hands. “Unfortunately, it’s having an impact on our venture.”
    Hell’s teeth. The news pierced Alaric’s gut like an arrow. Tremont had been one of the first investors he’d tapped to join the United Mining venture, and their partnership had proved fruitful. In just over a month, they would hold a General Meeting to finalize an expansion plan that would include the purchase of several key mines in Scotland. When the vote went through, Alaric was certain stock prices would hit the roof.
    Everything had been going according to plan … until now.
    “How bad is it?” he said grimly.
    “We’ve lost a half-dozen investors, Surrey and Burrowes amongst them.”
    “ Damnation. ” Alaric’s hands clenched the arms of the chair at the mention of two of their scheme’s largest investors.
    “That might only be the start. Noblemen catch a whiff of scandal, and they bolt like it’s a fire. No one wants to be caught in a burning house.” Tremont paused before saying bluntly, “You should know that the current business has also resurrected talk about your previous marriage.”
    From the grave, Laura’s twisted beauty taunted him.
    You don’t love me—you’re not capable of it! You’re selfish, cruel, and black-hearted. Her cornflower eyes glimmered with rage, her red lips taking on a malignant curve. I’m going to make sure everyone knows what a bastard you are.
    Cold, unadulterated fury clawed at Alaric. Control was slipping from his grasp, chaos swirling around him. Clara was dead, a murderer on the loose. His business plans were suddenly in jeopardy. And now his past was rising like a dark tide ...
    All because of Emma Kent—the lies she’d told about him.
    All of this was her doing.
    “I’ll see to it that my name is cleared,” he vowed. “Whoever poisoned Clara and me will be brought to justice.”
    The marquess’ brow furrowed. “An attempt was made on your life as well?”
    Alaric hesitated before saying, “Yes.”
    Both he and Tremont were men who valued privacy, and they did not typically discuss matters outside of business. Given the scandal’s impact upon their venture, however, Alaric decided to make an exception and gave Tremont a brief summary of events.
    Tremont’s frown deepened at the mention of Silas Webb. “I recall Webb was irate when you dismissed him. But would he resort to murder?”
    “I intend to find out.”
    “You must take care. Murder is a dangerous business.”
    “Evidently so is scandal. Try to keep the investors placated. In the meanwhile, I’ll put a stop to the rumor that I killed Clara.”
    Tremont’s eyebrows went up. “How do you plan to do that?”
    By dealing with the cause of the fiasco herself.
    Jaw taut, Alaric said, “I have my ways. Let’s leave it at that.”
    “As you wish. For what it’s worth, I am sorry for your misfortune.”
    If there was anything Alaric despised, it was pity.
    “What do you know about misfortune?” he said in cool tones.
    Tremont’s gaze darkened, grooves forming around his mouth. Standing, he executed a stiff bow. “Good day, your grace.”
    After the marquess departed, Alaric was reminded that he and Tremont did have something other than business in common: they were both widowers. The resemblance ended there, however. Tremont’s lady had been known for her charity and kindness, and their marriage had been accounted a happy one, with an heir to show for it.
    Whereas Alaric’s duchess had been a lying bitch whose efforts to manipulate him had led not only to her own demise but that of their only child. His son, Charlie ...
    He felt a warning cracking inside, like the rushing of dark water under ice. The currents dragged at him, pulled him toward the vortex. He struggled for purchase, for control against the raging