Page 75 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

A stray tear slipped down Lavender’s cheek. “And I love all of you. But things between Tom and I are impossible.”

“Where are you going?”

Lavender hesitated for a moment, but she trusted Jack. “If you’ll drive me, I want to go to the Duke of Fenleigh’s estate.”

The boy pinched his lips between his teeth, even while a hint of a smile played in his mischievous eyes. “That’s a long trip, my lady.”

Lavender nodded. “I could use a long trip, Jack. I’ll be bringing my lady’s maid, so I won’t be alone, but I do wonder if you would be the driver? I will leave a note for Miriam telling her that you will return.”

“If that is what you wish, I’ll do it. You were my greatest comfort when I burned my hands.” He bowed his head. “I won’t let you down.”

She put a hand on his cheek. “Thank you, Jack. I have one more request.”

He smiled at her. “You can’t make it easy on me, can you?”

“You must promise not to tell anyone where I am going . . . including Tom.”

He opened his mouth as if to argue with her, but she cocked her head and raised her eyebrow at him.

He nodded. “I won’t say a word. Except maybe for a purple frog.”

Lavender laughed. “I do hope no one produces a purple frog in the next half hour, or my plans will all be foiled.”

Chapter 36

Thomas paced Samuel’s study, wishing it was his own. He could not regret his choice to disguise himself as a servant because that was what led him to Lady Lavender, but it was past time he stripped himself of the disguise and faced his foes. He’d decided to do just that, but he hadn’t done it. He’d been so selfish, so ridiculously arrogant to believe that other people would solve his problems for him. It wasn’t for his friends’ lack of effort in the matter, but Thomas’s disappearance made it all the more difficult for them to prove his innocence in the accusation of treason.

The letter he had slipped from Lord Chilcott’s library was his ticket to freedom. But he had to speak with Lady Lavender first. She deserved to hear from himself who he was and why he’d been lying to her all this time. She deserved to know that he loved her as Tom the gardener, and that he would continue to love her as Thomas Monteclare, Duke of Fenleigh. He ran his fingers through his hair—longer than it had ever been—and willed Samuel to come to his study.

The door opened, and Thomas strode to greet Samuel. It was Miriam, however, who entered the room. “Good morning, Tom. What can I do for you?”

“I was hoping to speak with your husband.”

“Oh, he went to White’s.” She grimaced.

Thomas slapped his leg. He couldn’t keep putting this off. “Then I’ll appeal to you instead.” He took a deep breath. “Now that we have evidence for Lord Chilcott’s scheme, I am going to tell Lady Lavender who I am. And then I’m going to go home and face the chaos that is my life.”

Miriam tipped her head to the side. “You are free to go home anytime you wish, Thomas. And I believe you are right, the evidence is strong, and Lady Lavender deserves some hope for her future.”

Thomas ran from the room. He wanted to change from his livery into his tattered gardening clothes; it felt right to face the woman he loved in the humblest state he could.

When he entered the cramped room he shared with Jack, his throat grew thick with emotion. He would miss this place. It was here he learned who he really was, and what he could be with the right woman beside him.

A note was on his pillow, and he picked it up. The handwriting was terrible, but he made out the few words scrawled on the page.

She is goin to everle park

Thomas rushed from his quarters and flew up the stairs. She couldn’t be gone, not now.

“Tom!” Miriam yelled from the stairs. “Tom, I need you at once.”

Thomas had never heard the duchess so concerned. Samuel walked in the front door just as Thomas was heading for the stairs. “Follow me, your wife sounds upset.” The men found Miriam in Lady Lavender’s room. The bed was made up, and the wardrobe was open and empty.

Lady Lavender and her maid were gone.

“She must have gone home,” Miriam said. “I don’t blame her after everything she’s been through the past few days. But I would have helped her prepare for the journey.” Hurt laced Miriam’s words.

Thomas cleared his throat. “She is on her way to Everleigh Park. I’ve just found a letter in my room from Jack.”