Page 33 of Never Beguile a Duke

Frowning, Nora shifted her attention back to her stepmother. “If Mr. Hollingsworth has money, why would Mr. Curtis demand payment from you?”

“Mr. Hollingsworth can’t access his funds in prison.” Mrs. Webb’s sharp rebuke caused Nora to draw away. “However, I have a scheme that will aid both myself and Winifred.”

“Which is?” Hesitancy bled through Nora’s question.

“With your assistance, Mr. Hollingsworth will be released, then he can pay his debt to Mr. Curtis and marry Winifred.”

“My assistance?” Nora’s eyebrows floated near her hairline. “You possess the ability to set Mr. Hollingsworth free!”

“After retracting the accusation against Winifred, my word doesn’t hold much weight.” Her mother glanced down and fiddled with the edge of the coverlet. “Mr. Hollingsworth admitted to the theft to ensure none of the scandal remained attached to your sister’s name; we can’t allow him to die in prison.”

Winifred snorted. “You seemed fine with that outcome before your life was threatened by Mr. Curtis.”

“Our lives.” Her mother twisted her head around. “He believes you responsible as well.”

A sharp rap echoed through the chamber.

Though Winifred was closest to the door, she didn’t move, prompting Nora to climb from the bed. Glaring at Winifred, Nora strode across the floor, then she opened the door a crack and peered through the small space. With a squeal, she flung the door open and leaped into her fiancé’s open arms.

“I missed you.” The Duke of Roxburghe enveloped her and brushed a lingering kiss across her forehead. “How is your stepmother?”

“She’s much better,” Nora replied, glowing as she emerged from his amorous embrace. “However, a situation has developed that requires your singular assistance.”

His eyes narrowed. “We’re not giving our wedding date to Lennox.”

Nora chuckled, waving off his concern. “I’m not referring to that.”

“Then I shall do anything you request.”

“Would you free Mr. Hollingsworth from prison?”

The dark cloud dissipating over the Duke of Roxburghe’s head returned trifold. “The same Mr. Hollingsworth responsible for your sister’s imprisonment?”

Winifred slid off the bed and approached them. “Your Grace, if you recall, it was my mother who concocted the theft scheme. Neither I nor Mr. Hollingsworth committed any crime.”

“He did do something, Winifred.” Nora pulled free of the Duke of Roxburghe’s arms. “While we were there, he was brought into the prison on different charges.”

“That accusation was also false.” Hands clenching, the Duke of Roxburghe hovered in the doorway, his gaze finding Mrs. Webb. “Mr. Kendall interviewed a Mrs. Bexley, who retracted her claim after he determined the account to be a lie. However, by the time he supplied proof to the magistrate, Mr. Hollingsworth’s name had been attached to the theft at your mother’s residence.”

“Mother!” Winifred spun, her eyes bulging. “How could you involve Mrs. Bexley as well?”

Hanging her head, her mother stared at the bed. “At the time, I believed my actions were the best course to keep our family together. However, I shouldn’t have interfered, and if you accept Mr. Hollingsworth’s proposal, I won’t stand in the way.”

Frowning, the Duke of Roxburghe glanced at Nora and mouthed, “Mr. Hollingsworth proposed?”

“Last night,” Nora replied, gliding to his side. “He sent a missive with Amelia.”

The Duke of Roxburghe raised his eyebrows. “Did your sister give an indication regarding which direction her answer may lean?”

Nora shook her head.

“Then, I suppose the best solution is to facilitate Mr. Hollingsworth’s release and allow him to make the request in person.” The Duke of Roxburghe lifted Nora’s hand to his mouth and paused. “Unless you can think of any reason to keep him in prison.”

“An innocent man shouldn’t forfeit his life for a crime he didn’t commit.”

“As you wish.” The Duke of Roxburghe pressed his lips to her knuckles. “I’ll return with him as quickly as possible.”

“Return with whom?” the Duke of Beaufort asked, drawing a tiny scream from Nora, who spun around.