Page 92 of Never Besmirch a Wallflower: Dukes and Wallflowers

Roxburghe snorted. “Is that a friend of yours?”

“It’s Miss Braddock’s brother,” Levi groaned, standing and waving at the footmen. “Allow Mr. Braddock entry. I’ll see him.”

Mr. Braddock shook off the two men, straightened his coat, took off his hat, and strode across the room, his eyes locked on Levi.

“Your Grace, there’s been a misunderstanding,” Mr. Braddock said as he bowed.

“Your sister didn’t lie to me?” Levi ignored Roxburghe’s irritated glare.

Kneading the brim of his hat, Mr. Braddock grimaced. “No, she did. However, she had cause.”

“What cause is so great it necessitates lying to a duke?”

“One that can result in death.”

“Sit.” Levi gestured to one of several empty wooden chairs lined along the wall.

Sliding his hand through the slats, Mr. Braddock lifted the nearest chair, carried it back to the corner, and placed the seat equal distance from Levi and Roxburghe. Then, he paced back and forth behind it.

“The entire situation is my fault,” Mr. Braddock said, dropping his hat on the chair as he passed. “If I’d heeded Eveline’s concerns six months ago, she wouldn’t have had to run.”

“What were your sister’s concerns?” Levi steepled his fingers together.

“I have four sisters.” Mr. Braddock stopped, wrapping his hands around the chair back. “Did she tell you that?”

The corner of Levi’s mouth pulled. “All of them have names beginning with the letter ‘E’.”

“Three of them were easy to match. However, Eveline… well, she has opinions.” Mr. Braddock sank onto his chair, smashing the hat. “I felt fortunate to find a suitor. However, after one carriage ride, she begged me to end the connection. I refused.”

“What reason did she give?”

“She believed him a most violent brute.”

Touching the tips of his fingers to his lips, Levi studied Mr. Braddock for a long moment. “Was her assessment correct?”

“It was.” Mr. Braddock hung his head. “He called one evening while I was out, and she received him as a dutiful fiancée should. Taking advantage of their solitude, he attempted to force himself upon her; I discovered proof of the attack. She struck him with a log from the fireplace—which left a noticeable scar on the side of his face—and disappeared.”

Levi banged his fist on the cushioned arm of his chair. “Why did you not publicly denounce him?”

Dragging his hand down his face, Mr. Braddock released a heavy sigh. “Because Eveline kept and apparently sold a family ring he bestowed upon her. Humphrey will have her arrested for theft, or worse, if he discovers her.”

Roxburghe snapped his fingers. “Thus the reason for her false name.”

Levi shot a scowl at Roxburghe, then returned his attention to Mr. Braddock. “Did this dismissed fiancé ever strike your sister while they were engaged?”

Shifting in his seat, Mr. Braddock dug his hat out from beneath his legs. His gaze dropped to Levi’s chin, and he nodded once.

“I didn’t learn of the incidents until after Eveline vanished, and by then, I understood why she felt she possessed no other alternative.” Mr. Braddock set the crushed hat on his lap. “I thought I’d never see her again.”

Leaning forward, Roxburghe asked, “How did you know where to find her this morning?”

“She wrote to me.” Sticking his hand into his coat pocket, Mr. Braddock extracted the wrinkled missive.

“Peculiar.” Roxburghe stroked his beard.

“What is?” asked Levi, his tone sharp.

“Why would Miss… Braddock go to such lengths to hide her identity, then write to the one person who could reveal the truth and not warn him of the ruse?” Roxburghe’s eyes slid to Mr. Braddock. “I’m assuming you didn’t know.”