My Bratty Wife

Back in Carleton, in Ryan’s study, Davis laid out his findings before him. "Your Grace," he began, his voice grave, "I’ve compiled the list of the parliament members." He paused, his eyes scanning the list before him. "They are sixteen in total, Ten are dead.

Ryan’s voice became cold. " Give me names of those who are dead." He commanded.

Davis replied. "They are: Baron Bradley, Lord Ashton, Viscount Augustus (Conrad’s father), Viscount Loftus (Dinah’s husband), Lord Collin, Earl Crowley, Baron Abercrombie, Duke Beamount , Lord Caldwell and..." He hesitated, his voice trailing off.

Ryan’s eyes sharpened. "And?" he prompted, his voice low.

Davis looked up, his expression troubled. "And Duke Charles, your father," he finished, his voice so low Ryan had to strain his ears to be able to hear him.

A tense silence filled the room. Ryan’s expression remained emotionless, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of shock and disbelief. Davis then brought out a separate list, detailing the victims of the past murders. They matched the statistics. He attempted to find a connection between them.

"Luke," he noted, " died because he was a spy, a threat to the killer’s secrets. Doris died because she was caught, a loose end that had to be eliminated, as did the woman who killed Lord Collin, who turned herself in."

"Viscountess Dinah," he realized, "died in place of her husband, who had passed away years prior. Viscount Conrad died in place of his father, who had also died before the murders began."

" He paused, his voice heavy. "Is your father’s death related to this, Your Grace?"