He had, of course, set about discovering why Derrymanpersistently avoided all communications and attempts to bring the betrothalcontract to fruition.
What he had found was that Derryman had been lying to himfor twenty years.
His daughter had taken a tumble from a horse when she wasbut six years of age, she’d hit her head, and she hadn’t been the same since.
Or, rather, she was the same.
In behavior, she was still six.
However, her age was twenty-six.
This might also answer the question on everyone’s lips, whenMaxine was supposedly sent toFleuridiato attendboarding school, and shortly thereafter, Derryman’s wife took her own life in aghastly manner that still was spoken of with shock.
He had hoped Derryman would beg off himself, however the manneeded to do that to save face.
But this…
Ansley sat back in his chair.
He’d had a lengthy, and confidential, discussion with herdoctor.He was told she would never recover.It was an impossibility.
Unless they found some miracle.
He couldn’t even begin to imagine what Derryman’s play was.
But he would find out.
And then they would finish this, and Loren would be free.
Further, Ansley would be free to put his foot down.
His son was to find a woman, settle down, make her heavywith child (repeatedly) and stop galivanting aboutHawkvale(and farther afield), bedding women, partaking in games of chance, larkingabout…with heavy, terrifying doses of his activities of the night before.
Playing a vigilante.
The House of Dalton was at stake.
And every Duke in his line made several vows when heaccepted that title, all of which were crucial.
But the continuation of the line was the most important ofall.
Even more important than their vow of loyalty to the king.
On this thought, Ansley sat forward and took out a crisppiece of his stationery.
And he wrote his reply.
Chapter Two
Turkey Baster
Maxine Dawes
Community Manager
Hawkvale
The Road toPinkwickHouse
