Page 14 of Never Beguile a Duke (Wayward Dukes’ Alliance #30)
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.
“Mr. Hollingsworth,” she said, stepping toward him. “He’s an acquaintance of Winifred’s.”
The Duke of Beaufort tilted his head, his unreadable gaze sliding to Winifred. “I heard they were engaged.”
“Previously but not currently,” Nora replied, folding her hands together.
“I’ll accompany you into town this morning.” The Duke of Beaufort flicked his eyes toward the Duke of Roxburghe. “We need a physician to examine Mrs. Webb to ensure there are no untreated injuries.”
The Duke of Roxburghe nodded, embraced Nora again, then crossed the floor and paused beside the Duke of Beaufort long enough to murmur, “We’re taking my coach. Meet me downstairs in five minutes.”
“Miss Webb,” the Duke of Beaufort said, stepping into the room. “While I’m away, I hope I may delegate an extremely important task to you and your sister.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Nora said, grasping Winifred’s arm and yanking her forward. “How can we assist you?”
The Duke of Beaufort opened his mouth, paused, spun around, and closed the door with a soft click. Then he escorted Nora and Winifred to the center of the room.
“Swear you will not repeat what I’m about to reveal.” His green eyes blazed.
“I swear,” Nora and Winifred said simultaneously.
Winifred glared over her shoulder at her mother until she—begrudgingly—made the same promise.
As she returned her attention to the Duke of Beaufort, he blurted out, “Juliette barricaded herself in her chamber and refuses to leave.”
Winifred snorted, clamped her hand over her mouth, and twisted away, struggling to maintain her composure. Nora poked Winifred in the side, expressing her silent disapproval of Winifred’s ill-timed amusement.
Swallowing her mirth, Winifred turned back and raised her gaze to his. “We will route out your daughter, Your Grace.”
The tension straining his features vanished. “Name your reward and you shall have it.”
Nora slid in front of Winifred. “There’s no need to thank us, Your Grace. After hosting this weeklong celebration for my engagement?—”
“Not just you,” Winifred murmured. “This event is also for Miss Braddock and Miss Philbert.”
“I’m aware,” Nora replied, shooting a scowl at Winifred. “I merely wanted to relieve the Duke of Beaufort of any obligation to us.”
“I appreciate the kindness,” the Duke of Beaufort said, adding a stiff bow. “If you would excuse me, I’m keeping Roxburghe waiting.”
He exited, his body moving jerkily as though he were a marionette.
Darting around Nora, Winifred chased him into the corridor and caught him before he descended the staircase. “There’s no need for our interactions to be uncomfortable.”
The Duke of Beaufort set his foot back down on the landing and turned around, a slight frown wrinkling his forehead. “Pardon?”
“A kiss isn’t a marriage proposal.” She wound her fingers together in front of her waist. “Therefore, one kiss between us shouldn’t result in our friendship souring.”
“Has it soured?” He tilted his head. “I’m leaving to rescue your fiancé from prison.”
“I didn’t agree to wed Mr. Hollingsworth yet.”
The Duke of Beaufort exhaled a heavy sigh. “I hope that hesitation is not due to me.”
Yes .
“No.” Winifred folded her arms. “I’m not certain I want to marry. A sentiment that I know you share.”
He inclined his head. “I admit, I did enjoy our kiss, and I considered situations to bring it about again. However, I didn’t want to encourage any false hope. It appears I am the fool, as you have none regarding any future with me.”
“Only your daughter is intent on our union.”
And perhaps my mother and sister, which is why I’m not giving them any indication that I’m nurturing any type of attachment to you.
Winifred forced a smile. “Once Juliette emerges from her chamber, I’ll speak with her about the impossibility of a relationship with Your Grace.”
She curtsied and turned away.
“Wait.” The rumbled word brushed over her shoulders, sending a shiver sliding down her spine.
She turned back and gasped, shocked to find the Duke of Beaufort less than six inches behind her.
“Don’t tell Juliette.” A strange light glowed in his eyes.
“I don’t understand.”
“This transition is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated. Juliette seems to have bonded quite well with you… and your sister.” He swallowed and tugged at his cravat, loosening the knot.
“Allow her the fantasy of a potential mother this week, and once the event is over, I’ll explain that marriage isn’t a goal of mine. ”
“Are you certain that won’t further complicate things with Miss Juliette?” Winifred indicated his daughter’s chamber on the opposite end of the corridor. “Losing both her mother and the desired replacement within a month may prove quite traumatic for such a young girl.”
“I appreciate your concern and will consider your position. However, for the day at least, would you agree to hold your tongue?” He stared at her, his eyes silently pleading.
“Of course.” She bobbed her head. “I apologize for keeping you.”
This decision would cause nothing but heartache... for more than one person.
“Miss Fernsby-Webb?” the Duke of Beaufort called as she turned away again. “I wouldn’t be averse to kissing you again, as long as you’re not engaged to another man, and you realize that nothing will come from our time together this week.”
“I understand the full parameters of your proposal,” she replied, lowering her voice and leading him back to the staircase. “If I agree, I have one request in return. Under no circumstance is Nora or my mother to learn of this agreement.”
“Concerned they will meddle?” he asked, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
“Quite certain, actually.” Winifred grinned. “Or have you forgotten your quest this morning?”
He raised his eyebrows. “I doubt your mother would send me to prison.”
“She sent me.”
“I am a duke.” He puffed himself up. “What reason would she have to deny my request for your hand?”
Winifred’s heart stuttered. “You’re not interested in my hand, Your Grace, or have you already fallen victim to your suggested ruse?”
“I’m in no more danger from Cupid’s arrow than you are, Miss Fernsby-Webb,” he replied, lifting her arm and brushing his lips across her hand.
A shiver rolled through her body.
She was in danger—grave danger.
If she didn’t find a way to guard herself against the charming Duke of Beaufort, Miss Juliette’s heart wouldn’t be the only one breaking. And with the impending arrival of Mr. Hollingsworth, she suspected none of them would survive the week unscathed.