“We?”
“Her Grace and I.”
Lucy closed the gap to the door and flung it open. “My apologies, Your Grace. I was expecting another.”
The duchess swept an appraising eye over her rumpled dress and tear-stained face as alarm dawned. “What has happened, granddaughter?”
She froze, wondering where to begin.The truth, she decided.All of it.
“Please come and sit, both of you. I have something to tell you.”
The duchess and Charlotte entered and settled on the sofa, their eyes curious and wary. Lucy perched against the edge of her bed. “Though I have been honest about my childhood and my time with Steadman, I have been less transparent about my initial meeting with Henry.”
“He rescued you from Sir Steadman’s gang, did he not?” asked Charlotte.
“In a manner of speaking, yes. However, I am not so innocent.”
With that enticement, Lucy shared in detail the events of Shooter’s Hill, her capture of the pursuing Henry, and their agreement to return the stolen gold. The duchess blanched as the story unfolded, and Charlotte’s hand became a permanent fixture over her open mouth. When Lucy finished the tale, she realized that her gaze had locked onto her knotted fingers. She cut her eyes up at the duchess.
“So, you see, Your Grace, I am a criminal. My actions have not only endangered my life, but they have cast a stain on House Huntington that cannot be cleansed. For that and more, I am desperately sorry and do not deserve even a shred of your forgiveness.”
The duchess opened her mouth as if to speak, but closed it as her gaze wandered to the curtained window. Lucy did not blame the woman if she never spoke to her again. However, the duchess recovered and reengaged Lucy.
“Mr. Beaumont agreed to lie for you?”
Tears began leaking from Lucy’s eyes. “He did, but then during his recent return to London, he informed Bow Street of my actions at Shooter’s Hill. He betrayed me.” She sniffled, and a stuttered breath climbed her throat to escape in the form of a heaving sob. “But that is not the worst of it. I have fallen in love with him, stupid girl that I am. And what did he do with my heart? He sold it to save himself.”
She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes to wipe away the flood of tears. The bed shifted as Charlotte settled next to Lucy and pulled her into a motherly embrace. “There, there, Lucy.”
Charlotte allowed Lucy to collect her unchecked emotion before gently pushing her away and grasping her hands. “I am a bit bewildered, though, by what you say of Henry.”
Lucy glanced at the duchess, who watched with a stony expression before looking again at Charlotte. “About his betrayal of me?”
“Yes, that.” She pursed her lips in apparent thought. “When I was eighteen, I fell in love with a dashing officer of the Royal Dragoons. I knew Father would not approve, but I wanted to be wanted. One day, he came to our estate in Father’s absence and made a show of asking for my hand. When I rejected him, he struck my face and laid hands on me.” She placed a hand to her right cheek, seemingly feeling again the blow. “Before I could say a word, Henry was there. Though just a boy, he threw his body at the officer and knocked him to the ground. By the time the man could escape the wrath of my younger brother, his pristine uniform was stained with blood. He mounted his horse and fled with Henry shaking his fist after him, crying justice. Within a month, I met my future husband. I have Henry to thank for the preservation of my honor.”
What Charlotte described unfolded in Lucy’s mind. She had already heard his version of the event, but now saw it through his sister’s eyes. “Why did you tell me this? To improve my opinion of your brother?”
“No, not that.” Charlotte smiled softly. “I wanted you to know how hard Henry fights for those he loves.”
Lucy blinked rapidly at her. “Henry loves me?”
“He does.”
“How do you know?”
Charlotte gently shook her head. “Oh, Lucy. I raised him. He is cautious about giving his love to anyone, but when he does, it is obvious. To me, anyway. And now, he has given his love to you, even though he knows the futility of offering it.”
Lucy ingested the insight, confused and awed by it. “What does this mean, then?”
“It means that he must have a plan. That what looks like pure betrayal is more complicated than it seems. Give him a chance. He would do the same for you, and more.”
Lucy’s mind whirled with chaos before logic brought it structure. Perhaps Henry did have a plan. Had he attempted to explain it when she’d slammed the door in his face? If Sir Hugh was here to arrest her, why would he allow the courtship to continue for days, putting the honor of a half-dozen noble houses at risk? Why would Henry persist in helping her if all hope were lost?
“I have decided.” The voice of the duchess drew Lucy from her self-interrogation.
“Your Grace?”
“I lost you for twenty years. I will not lose you again for another day. Regardless of what happens, I will bring all the authority of House Huntington to bear in protecting you. I will seek the return of every favor, leverage every connection, and lodge every threat necessary to preserve your freedom. I am not a woman to be trifled with.”
