Page 47 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

“I’ll make sure he does when he’s ready. I don’t think that is where his interests lie right now.” Samuel leaned against the open doorframe. “What else can I do to help you?”

“Have you and your mother decided whether or not I’m able to think for myself yet? I could talk with Lady Lavender,” Thomas suggested as if that wasn’t the only thing that would keep him from losing his mind. Then again, having had far too much time to think, he wasn’t convinced that telling her who he really was would be his best course of action. He didn’t want her to throw away her chances of making her parents happy if his name wasn’t cleared for a long time yet.

Samuel rubbed the palms of his hands down his trousers. “She’s been asking to speak with you. I don’t think the girl knows how to live if she isn’t being useful to someone at all times. I admire her selflessness, but I fear the reasons behind it.”

Lady Lavender had always been more concerned with the needs of others than those of her own. It was one of the reasons Thomas loved her. But if she wasn’t making choices that were good for her, he couldn’t stand idly by and watch her hurt herself. “I trust her, Samuel. But I care for her too much to allow her to suffer because of her connection to me.”

“Precisely,” Samuel agreed. “Once you’ve grown that awful hair back enough on your face, I’ll allow you back out to help Jack. But we are in no hurry. He’s getting along just fine; his hands are doing well.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I have more compassion for him now that I’m not allowed to do anything.”

“Yes, well . . . have compassion on the rest of us by being patient.” Samuel pushed back from the door frame and turned to leave. “Oh,” he said over his shoulder. “I leave tomorrow to Kent for your estate with the searchers. I’ve asked Lady Lavender to accompany me as a way to keep Lord Chilcott on his best behavior—if you catch my meaning.”

Thomas ground his teeth together. “No, I don’t. The man is a cad. Why is it that he gets to be part of the party?”

“He has headed the case from the beginning. And as he is your family, he has assured the Prince Regent’s Messengers that he will be more familiar with any hidden doors in the home than anyone else. It’s quite the to-do. The Prince Regent’s Messengers will be there, as will the high sheriff and a handful of clerks.”

“They can parade all of London through Everleigh Park, Samuel, just don’t allow Lord Chilcott to plant evidence that wasn’t there when he walked in.”

Samuel nodded solemnly. “I had the same thoughts. Don’t worry, Fenleigh, That’s why I’m taking Lady Lavender. She knows what to look for and to stay beside him throughout the entire search. And I will also be at his side.”

“And keep Lady Lavender safe.”

Samuel nodded and left Thomas to his thoughts.

Thomas ought to have been nervous for the search, but he couldn’t find it in him to care. His conscience was entirely clear. It was only that Lady Lavender and his devious cousin were spending so much time together that made him nervous.

But he trusted Samuel. He had to.

Thomas found his mind wandering again and again to what he would do once he did return to the House of Lords. A niggling in the back of his mind told him that he could make a difference, and he intended to. Teaching Jack to read had filled a void Thomas had either been unaware of, or too drunk to decipher before his time as a servant. If more of the servants could read, he was certain it would improve the whole of the country. He sat down and began drafting what he hoped would be a new proposal for parliament to consider that would better the lives of the lower classes.

Chapter 23

Everleigh Park held the most incredible library Lavender had ever set foot in. Everything about it made her heart soar. From the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves to the large fireplace taking up residence on one wall to an entire wall of windows overlooking orchards to the west. It was like something from her best dreams all in one room. It seems Tom wasn’t exaggerating when he told her the Duke of Fenleigh had an incredible library. She was tempted to marry the man for this room alone. She could put up with a good deal of idiocy if she had a haven like this to resort to.

Samuel had asked her to help him by keeping an eye on Lord Chilcott and make certain the man didn’t try to leave any papers behind him as they traversed the house. As Samuel was friends with Fenleigh, she understood the request. She wouldn’t want her friend to be framed for something of this magnitude either, even if it meant pulling someone as overlooked as herself into the scheme.

But at a nod from Samuel, she’d been asked to leave while the men investigated the duke’s study. Some of the official personnel were looking through ledgers with the help of the steward. Others were wandering the large house like Lavender was, looking for any evidence of treason. To be completely honest, she didn’t know what evidence would even look like, but she permitted herself to linger in the library at the large windows and look across the beautiful rolling hills that carved the countryside. The rest of the party moved on, but she remained where she was.

An older woman walked into the room but turned around when she saw Lavender.

“Oh, please stay,” Lavender asked her. “Are you the housekeeper?”

“I am. Mrs. Howard at your service, my lady.” She curtseyed to Lavender.

“Would you please take a seat and talk with me for just a few minutes?”

Mrs. Howard adjusted the white cap atop her head. “You are here on official business, I presume. Of course I’ll answer your questions.”

“Oh, I don’t wish to misrepresent my reason for coming. I am here to help, of course, but right now, I am simply enjoying this incredible room.” Lavender opened her arms wide and took in a deep breath of peace. “I’ve heard wonderful things about this library, and I assure you it lives up to its reputation and more.”

Mrs. Howard visibly relaxed. “It is the work of many generations, and hopefully many more to come as soon as His Grace decides to settle down and have a family.”

Lavender motioned for the housekeeper to sit beside her, and the elderly woman complied. “You seem confident he will return.” Lavender smiled at that. She hoped the man would come back. It would be impossible to see if the two of them would suit otherwise.

“He’s a man of his word, and he said he’d be back.” Mrs. Howard nodded as if to settle the issue.

“When was the last time you saw the duke?” Lavender asked.