Page 63 of Never Besmirch a Wallflower: Dukes and Wallflowers

The world spun, colors whirling around him faster and faster. Dropping the newspaper, Levi turned and walked, in a trance, out of the dining room, through the corridor, and out the front door, ignoring the light snow falling on his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around his torso, shivering without his forgotten greatcoat, but continued forward, trekking through the ankle-deep slush.

It couldn’t be true.

Horses whinnied behind him, and Levi glanced to his right, finding Roxburghe’s coach keeping pace with him.

“A bit cold for a stroll, isn’t it?” Roxburghe said through the open window.

“Leave me be,” Levi replied, keeping his head down against the biting breeze ruffling his hair.

The coach door opened, and a coat landed at Levi’s feet.

“At least put that on before you freeze to death.”

Levi acquiesced.

“You think I’m mad, don’t you?” He bent, retrieved the greatcoat, and gratefully shoved his arms into the sleeves.

“I think you’re in love.”

Levi spun, fire flowing from his body, and marched toward the coach. “Take that back.”

“I cannot deny the truth of what I see.” Roxburghe climbed from the cabin as the carriage slowed.

Stopping an inch from Roxburghe, Levi scowled. “And what do you see?”

“A man conflicted.”

“Wouldn’t you be?” Levi flung his hands in the air. “The newspaper?—”

“Has been wrong before.” Roxburghe tucked his coat tighter around himself. “My fiancée was arrested for murder, and her sister for theft. Neither was true.”

Levi’s shoulders sagged. “What do you suggest?”

“A sleigh ride.” Roxburghe climbed back into his coach and gestured for Levi to follow. “Invite Miss Rowe… and her guests to accompany us this afternoon. When she’s trapped in the sled with you, speak with her about her past.”

“You’re recommending an ambush?” Levi asked as he entered the carriage. “She may never forgive me.”

Roxburghe shrugged. “You requested a solution; I presented one. If the idea fails, at least you have the comfort of winning our wager.”

He’d rather have Miss Rowe. But Levi didn’t know how he’d react if the rumor was true, and the thought disturbed him.

Could he forgive her?

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

EVELINE/HELENA

“Swear this is a falsehood!” Miss Sinclair, a newspaper clutched in her trembling hand, bore down on Helena.

Stepping outside the iron fence marking her property, Helena, eyes widening, shushed Miss Sinclair and said, “I didn’t expect to see you this early. What is wrong?”

Miss Sinclair thrust the paper at Helena.

“Mother has forbidden me from associating with you. If she knew I was here…” Her voice trailing off, Miss Sinclair glanced over her shoulder as though speaking her mother’s name would conjure the woman to that very spot.

Helena unfurled the newspaper, her gaze skimming over the articles. Halfway down the page, her heart stopped. Her name jumped out from the text.

“Gentlemen, beware,” Helena whispered, the page slipping from her fingers.