Page 74 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

Tom helped Lavender back into the carriage and squeezed her hand once more, but she couldn’t look at him. Not after what she knew he’d just witnessed. He knew her heart was his alone, so maybe she was wrong in thinking he actually loved her. How could he stand by and watch her practically beg another to marry her?

When the carriage door clicked shut behind her, Lavender could not keep the tears at bay. She’d failed. She was no closer to knowing anything about the Duke of Fenleigh than she had before the ill-fated trip. And with each passing day, she was certain her parents were growing more agitated by her lack of ability to secure a safe future.

“I’m going to be sick,” Miriam said from across the carriage.

The dowager shook her head. “I blame your breakfast.”

Miriam placed her hand atop her stomach. “Yes, I do as well. But also, Lord Chilcott is the most despicable man. How could he choose revenge over you, Lavender?”

Lavender looked out the window, allowing her tears to trace down her cheeks without wiping them. “I don’t actually want him to choose me. But I had hoped that if he thought I was on his team, he would open up his plans to me. And aside from that, I admit it is painful that he is still determined to ruin me. Aside from that, I am accustomed to being overlooked.”

The dowager pulled Lavender to rest her head on her shoulder. “Don’t you give up, yet. Tom was busy while you were in conversation with the baron, and he didn’t leave Lord Chilcott’s home empty-handed.”

Miriam sucked in a breath. “What did he find?”

“Some letters in the library.”

Lavender sat up. “Did he take them?”

“Only one of the many copies of the forgery they’d been working on. Your dear neighbor does not like you, Lavender.”

Miriam scoffed. “That would be putting it lightly. But why didn’t Tom take all the letters?”

“He didn’t want them to suspect we know what they are up to. She held up the paper to show Miriam and Lavender. “We will keep this copy of the letter as evidence should the Duke of Fenleigh need it.”

“Why was I not aware of what Tom was doing?” Miriam asked her mother-in-law.

“You were far too engrossed at listening to the conversation at the door.” The dowager smiled across the carriage at Miriam.

That letter could change everything. From what Lavender understood, the Privy Council was about to drop the case altogether, so their investment in the scheme was already losing steam. If they had this letter to solidify that Lord Chilcott’s efforts were a farce, the Duke of Fenleigh was bound to show up again soon. But if Lord Chilcott intended to publicly ruin her and her family tomorrow, she needed to be far from London.

It was time to run . . . and she knew precisely where to go.

Tom helped the ladies down from the carriage, but Lavender refused to acknowledge him: it might weaken her resolve. Her trunks were packed, so all she needed now was Jack’s help.

A knock on the door to Lavender’s bedchamber made her jump. She quickly pushed her traveling trunk behind the bed so it wouldn’t be visible from the doorway. “Come in,” she called.

Jack’s head of red hair popped into view. “What can I do for you, my lady?”

“Oh, Jack, it’s you!” Lavender looked over his shoulder into the corridor which was empty. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Anything, you know that.”

Lavender smiled at the young man. “Jack, can you keep a secret?”

He nodded.

“I need you to prepare a carriage for me as quickly as possible, and I need to go without anyone else knowing I’ve left. Do you understand?” Lavender whispered.

Jack’s brows pulled together. “You’re leaving?”

“It is the only way to protect myself and my family.”

“But what about Tom?”

Lavender felt like a dagger was plunged into her heart. She supposed that everyone in the household knew about her romance with Tom. “Tom doesn’t want me, Jack. My remaining here is a burden to everyone.”

“That’s not true. We all love you here.” He gestured to himself.