Page 66 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

It was all well and good for Lavender to try to clear the Duke of Fenleigh’s name, but she didn’t even know Fenleigh. Was it really worth possibly putting herself through public humiliation for the slight chance that the man would give her a moment’s hesitation? The only reason she’d even considered him as a marriage prospect was because Tom had mentioned it.

And if she were publicly humiliated, what would that do to her father? She was supposed to be here to bring him peace, not to see him tortured. But what was she to do? At this point, her name and Lord Chilcott’s were too intertwined for her to extricate herself and find someone else to propose marriage.

There was no feigning a headache now. Lavender rested her forehead against the cool stone once again and tried to make sense of the tangled web of lies she’d found herself in the middle of.

It was in this position that Miriam found her a quarter of an hour later. “Goodness, Lavender, is everything alright?”

“No. It is not. Might we go home?”

“Of course. I will fetch Samuel. Would you like to come with me?”

Lavender couldn’t face Lord Chilcott so soon after what she’d heard. “I think I will just stay here.” She was well and truly done with the man.

Miriam pursed her lips together and then rushed away to find the duke.

Chapter 32

Thomas waited at the edge of the drive for the Duke of Gilfordshire’s carriage to arrive back at home. Jack had gone with them as footman tonight with strict orders to keep an eye on comings and goings. Waiting for news of how the evening had gone was driving Thomas as mad as King George. If Lord Chilcott proposed marriage to Lady Lavender at the ball tonight, what options were available to him?

He watched as a group of older boys raced up the street, the smallest of them claiming a victory at their destination. His comrades celebrated him with a little shoving and good-natured laughs. Thomas recalled his own youth: he’d been witness to many of the same scenes, but no one pushed or shoved a duke. He had always been deprived of that particular type of relationship. He’d not had true friends, only Ron and hangers on. That is, until Samuel. And now he had Jack.

It had taken the better part of a year watching and taking note of how the other duke conducted himself before he’d tried to become more than acquaintances. But that was how it had always been with Thomas since his uncle’s betrayal. Every member of Thomas’s staff had been researched and then questioned thoroughly upon entering into his service. It hadn’t been on purpose that Thomas had created a reputation for himself as the pickiest master in England—but it served his purposes all the same. There were far fewer servants applying to work for him who were of ill repute.

Thomas wondered, for a moment, when he would be able to act as the master of his house again. He scuffed his boot on the cobbled street.

The sound of an approaching carriage pulled him from his melancholy. He rolled his shoulders back and fisted his hands at his sides when he saw the crest of Gilfordshire emblazoned upon the side of the equipage.

Jack’s head of orange hair popped out from behind as they stopped. “Here again? I’m going to start calling you mother.” He laughed, but it was forced. “Don’t worry, we made it back in one piece.”

Jack opened the carriage door, and Thomas stood at the exit while Samuel climbed down, a slight shake to his head when he saw Thomas there. What does that mean? Samuel turned and helped down his wife and then stepped aside so Thomas could help down Lady Lavender. Her hand shook in his own. He squeezed just a fraction. “Are you well?” he whispered as she set foot on the ground.

Her eyes settled on him like a soft blanket. “I hardly know. But it is good to see you, Tom. It is a timely reminder that honest and good people do indeed exist.”

It was like a lance to his heart. She didn’t know him . . . not the real him. His entire presence in her life was a lie. And he hated it. “Lady Lavender, I—”

“Tom,” called Samuel. “Please allow Lady Lavender to return indoors. I believe she needs to sit down.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” Thomas guided Lady Lavender toward the duke and duchess who were just entering the front door. “Might I have a word, Lord Gilfordshire?”

Samuel let out a tired sigh and turned to Miriam. “I will be only a moment. Wait for my return before you begin your recollection of the evening.”

She nodded and then sent a small painful smile Thomas’s direction. She followed Lady Lavender inside and shut the door behind them.

Samuel came close enough for Thomas to whisper. “I need to tell her.”

“That would only put her in more danger right now,” Samuel snapped. “The less she knows about you, the better off she is, at least for the present.”

Thomas’s head pulled back. Samuel never spoke like that. “What has happened?”

“Lady Lavender is being . . . manipulated. Yes, that is likely the best word for it.” Samuel pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know how to protect her.”

“Then let me protect her,” Thomas pleaded.

“You? As what? A footman? Or as a duke labeled as a criminal to all of society? She is embroiled in this scheme just as much as you are,” Samuel hissed through gritted teeth.

A million questions battered at Thomas’s mind. “What happened tonight?”

Samuel ran a hand through his hair making it stick up at odd angles. “Your menace of a cousin happened.” He put up his hands to ward off whatever Thomas was going to say. “Don’t worry, she’s not engaged to the man. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. Lady Lavender has had enough shocks tonight.” He put a hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “Right now, I need to make sure she feels safe. Chilcott won’t get away with his plans—you and I will make sure of it.” He strode into the house without another look back.