Page 9

Early July

M iles sifted through the correspondence his butler had sent on. He recognized the scrawl of Mr. Walters. It must be the invoice for the investigation and expenses incurred. Cracking open the envelope, he pulled out several sheets of paper as a tattoo sounded on the study door.

“Wickton, I forgot what time we were meeting for archery practice. I’ve been playing with the bow. It takes more strength than I imagined.” Shackerley dropped down in the chair opposite the desk. “I’m sorry. I’ll stay quiet until you’ve finished reading.”

Miles nodded, smiled, and unfolded the letter. Walters was not billing him. He frowned, confused.

Lord Wickton,

We have located Graham Beaumaris and returned to Boston where his sister and mother reside.

He is in good health and curious about his inheritance.

It appears Lady Gwendolyn and Lady Greywood have already departed for Liverpool.

I have purchased tickets on the packet Courier, leaving on 1 July.

We will escort the gentleman to Shackerley Place as agreed.

Enclosed is a letter for the ladies from Beaumaris.

Kind regards,

Mr. Harry Walters

O’Brien Investigative Services

Miles blinked and reread the letter. He gazed at Shackerley. Was it Shackerley? Who had the investigators found?

“Are you well?” asked his cousin. “Is it bad news?” He rose from his chair and put his hands on the desk, leaning toward Miles and the letter in his hand. “Is there anything I can do?”

Miles peered at the second sheet of paper, the handwriting scrawled but masculine. His eyes narrowed as he glared at… Lady Gwendolyn? “Yes. Perhaps you could explain this?” he asked, handing her the letter.

As soon as she recognized the handwriting, her face went pale, and she sank back into the chair.

She scanned the words, blinking rapidly, smiling at first, then her lips trembling as tears streaked her cheek.

Her hand tugged at the cravat while the hand holding the letter from her brother fell to her lap.

“Please, don’t hate me. I can explain.”

“I’m holding my breath in anticipation.” If she really were a man, he’d have dragged her to a boxing ring and pummeled her. But she wasn’t.

“We were so hungry. I was going to marry a man old enough to be my father, so we didn’t starve.

Our house was being sold, leaving us homeless.

We had no idea when Graham would return or when those investigators would find him.

” She leaned forward, those sapphire-blue eyes pleading with him.

“We didn’t anticipate you staying with us, becoming close to you.

We thought we would stay here quietly until Graham came, then make the switch, and none would be the wiser. ”

“I was easy to dupe, wasn’t I? A gullible fool, hungry for family.” His voice rose as he spoke. “I vouched for you with Sir Samuel. You dallied with my reputation!”

“Sacré bleu!” said Lady Greywood from the doorway. “I see she’s told you.”

He glowered at the older woman. “No, she didn’t. I’ve received a letter informing me the real duke has been found. They left Boston two days ago.”

“Graham’s alive?” cried the marchioness. “Oh, thank the lord.”

Miles rubbed his eyes and fell back into his chair.

“I know you’re angry,” said Lady Greywood, approaching the desk. “We were two desperate ladies, and we took a gamble on our future. Gwen meant no harm.”

Miles snorted, giving Gwen a side-glance. He saw the gentle curve of her jaw now, the slender throat, the husky but not quite masculine voice. What a nodcock he’d been.

“Sir Samuel will never know. He only met me once, and the servants might be confused, but Mr. Garner will be sure they don’t say anything.” Lady Gwendolyn sat up, regret darkening her doe eyes. Her full lips trembled again. “We’ve come to care for you so much, Miles. Please don’t shut us out.”

“The butler knows?” he bellowed.

“By accident,” said Lady Greywood.

“He walked into my chambers and saw me without a shirt,” added Lady Gwendolyn.

His mouth fell open. “Mr. Garner has seen you…”

“ No! ” gasped Lady Gwendolyn. “My chest was bound to hide my?—”

“Enough!” Miles took a deep breath. What would his sister have done in their place? Alice had been a strong, independent woman. She might have tried a similar ruse in a desperate situation. Yet the betrayal was like a dagger to his heart.

He stared at the female who had fast become one of his closest male friends. “You are nothing I thought you were. Our entire friendship is based on fraud. I need time to come to terms with this.”

Lady Gwendolyn nodded, then wiped her cheeks with the palms of her hands. “We’ll leave you alone. Shall we see you at dinner?”

“No.” Miles wanted to scream, clear the muddle in his brain. “If you would both excuse me, I need some time alone. I may return to my estate. I’ve neglected it of late.”

* * *

Gwen collapsed on the tester bed, unwrapping the cravat, throwing it to the floor, and sinking into the feather mattress. “Mama, did you see the disgust in his eyes?” She still clutched Graham’s letter, tears brimming in her eyes again.

“It was betrayal, not disgust. What did you expect?” asked her mother. “I told you this would happen.”

“Thank you for your support, Mama.” Gwen slammed her fist on the mattress. “Crying will not help. We need a plan.”

“To win him back?”

“To win him. Obviously, I never had him.” She handed her mother the letter from Graham and reread it over her shoulder.

Dear Gwen and Mama,

You devious little devils. I’m proud of your sense of adventure, but I would have appreciated it if you left more of my clothes behind.

Then again, I can afford a new wardrobe.

While I am thrilled about this inheritance, I’m not sure if acting the duke and being stranded in some dusty old mansion is quite my style.

I’ve been bitten by a wanderlust bug and would like to travel.

I’m sure we can find a competent man to take care of the estate while I am seeing the world.

But first, I will visit my new property and give kisses and hugs to my favorite ladies. I’ve missed you more than bees on honey. I have so much to tell you when we meet again.

Until then,

Your loving son and brother,

Graham

Soon to be a plump in the pocket duke!

Mama blinked and dabbed at her eyes again. “I will soon have both my children with me. My prayers are answered.”

“Could you say one for me? No one seems to be listening to mine.” Gwen laid her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Mama, what should I do? I love him to distraction.”

“The viscount needs time. Then we need to show him you’re a woman.” Her mother stroked her hair and kissed the top of head. “He liked Graham. He will fall in love with Gwendolyn.”

“He won’t even talk to me,” she mumbled.

“Not in those clothes. It’s time to bring out your other trunk.” She stood and pulled Gwen off the bed. “We have work to do.”

“Simply putting on a dress won’t change his mind.” She’d wear a horse head if she thought it would help. Her heart squeezed in her chest. “He must feel absolutely terrible. I must make this right. He’s been through so much, and then his own family lies to him.”

“Nonsense. He’s a grown man who will see reason just as Mr. Garner said.” Mama entered her own chamber and went to the foot of the bed and opened the second trunk they’d brought for Gwen. “We need to bring out your best dresses.”

“And find a modiste.” The weight in Gwen’s chest was easing a little as her mother took charge. “You really think I can woo him?”

“You are still the same person he grew to care for, plus more. We need to show Miles that the ‘more’ is the best part.”