Page 17 of The Truth about the Duke (Whispers of the Ton #5)

Chapter Sixteen

L ydia smiled as she watched Sophie and her husband walk, arm in arm, a little ahead of her. St James’ Park was rather busy but given that it was such a fine day, Lydia was not in the least bit surprised. Many of the ton would want to be seen by other members of society as well as noting who else was present and thus, a growing crowd was assembling across the grass and blocking the paths on occasion! Hearing Sophie laugh at something her husband had said made Lydia’s smile grow all the more, glad that her friend had found such a delightful gentleman to be her husband. Someone who, she knew, cherished Sophie and encouraged her love of learning.

If only it could be the same for me.

The hint of envy in her heart made Lydia’s smile crack and she tried to push it away just as quickly as she could, a little surprised when the Duke of Melrose entered into her thoughts. At the very start of the Season, he had been the very last person that she had ever considered would be supportive of a bluestocking! And yet, in their acquaintance, in their ever improving connection, he had changed so significantly, that she knew he would champion her, should she ask him to do so! The words he spoke to her, the gratitude, the humbleness of him had all shown her just how much he had changed in his attitude and opinions. No longer would she call him arrogant, no longer would she consider him selfish or disagreeable. Instead, he meant so much to her that her heart was practically filled with him.

“We are neglecting you, I think.”

Lydia looked up as Sophie turned to her. “Here I am, having invited you to join us, leaving you to walk alone!”

“It is quite all right.” Lydia smiled at her friend. “I am quite contented, I assure you. My thoughts are many and I am more than happy to walk quietly.”

“You think on him, then?” Sophie chuckled as Lydia flushed and looked away. “I shall not tease you, my dear. Especially when I see him approaching with what, I think, is a purposeful step!”

Her head lifted instantly, her eyes searching the grounds, only to fasten upon the Duke of Melrose coming directly towards her. He was already smiling and Lydia could not help but return it, her heart quickening as he bowed, thrilled to see him again – even though it had been less than a day since they had last been in company together!

“Your Grace, I think you shall soon have all the ton speaking of yourself and my dear friend, should you continue to shower such attention upon her!”

Lydia shot Sophie a sharp look, aware of the heat that began to curl through her as her friend continued on, ignoring the look that Lydia had given her.

“First, you danced your very first waltz of the Season with her, only to then dance twice with her last evening which is something you have not done as yet either! I do hope you are aware that society is already beginning to whisper.”

The Duke chuckled and nodded. “Yes, Lady Markham, I am well aware of it. Though I do not care one jot as to what society will say and I have, be assured, made certain that Lady Lydia is quite contented also. I would not bring her any embarrassment, I assure you.”

Sophie nodded and smiled, though she winked at Lydia in a less than surreptitious manner, making Lydia’s face burn all the more. “That is good to hear, Your Grace. You understand that I speak only out of concern, I hope?”

“I do.” The Duke finally turned his attention back to Lydia, his face a little flushed. “Might you be willing to walk with me for a time, Lady Lydia?”

“I should be glad to.” Relieved to step away from Sophie for fear that she would say something more, Lydia took the Duke’s arm and set off along the path, certain that Sophie and her husband would stay near. “I – I am sorry if anything Lady Markham said brought you any embarrassment. I am sure she did not mean it.”

Thankfully, the Duke chuckled. “Not in the least. She is concerned for you and I can understand that.” He glanced at her, then frowned. “Though I do hope that you are not concerned about all that society will say. I am not, though that is because I do not care what they think. My own intentions are all that I think of.”

Lydia pressed her lips together but did not say anything, wondering what it was that the Duke meant by his intentions. What intentions did he have towards her? She could only pray that they were not that their friendship would end once the truth about the heirlooms were discovered.

“I did enjoy your latest article in The London Chronicle,” he told her, smiling down into her eyes. “You have a great talent, Lydia.”

Her heart leaped at his compliment and at the way his hazel eyes swirled. “I thank you.”

“I think that I – ”

“Oh, what a fine afternoon it is!”

An unfamiliar voice broke through their conversation and Lydia was forced to pull her attention away from the Duke, seeing another fellow coming towards them. It was not Lord Kendall, but an older gentleman with a greying beard and a rather jolly face. It took her a few moments to remember, only to recall that this was none other than Lord Dunford.

Her hand tightened on the Duke’s arm and he threw her a quick look, understanding in his eyes.

“Good afternoon, Lord Dunford,” he began, as Lydia bobbed a quick curtsy. “Yes, it is indeed. I am out walking with Lady Lydia, as you can see.”

“Of course, of course!” Lord Dunford beamed at Lydia as though her presence was enough to delight him. “How wonderful to see you out here again, Melrose. You appear to be in better spirits than you were at my soiree!” He laughed at this but Lydia bit her lip, a little concerned over what the Duke might say to this.

Thankfully, she did not have to worry.

“Indeed, I was in low spirits,” the Duke agreed, shaking his head. “But that is because I had only just learned that the story in The London Chronicle was, in fact, quite true.”

This made Lord Dunford’s face freeze into a fixed expression, and Lydia’s eyebrows lifted as she watched him.

“I am sure you know the one I mean,” the Duke continued, letting out a long sigh. “Do you not?”

Lord Dunford’s smile was no longer as bright as before. “If you are speaking of the heirlooms, then yes. That was a strange story indeed, was it not?”

The Duke tipped his head just a little. “I am not certain I would consider it strange , no. You see, my father had not told me anything about the heirlooms and had also, for whatever reason, instructed my mother to say nothing on the subject either. Though I now realize why that was, of course.”

Lydia said nothing, holding her breath as she waited for Lord Dunford to respond. Would he respond to the Duke’s remark or merely shrug off the comment before turning the conversation to other things?

“Might I ask why that is?” Lord Dunford’s voice had, to Lydia’s mind, become a little strained. “I knew your father well, as you know. I am surprised that he kept the theft of the heirlooms from you.”

“Indeed but it was because he did not know who it was.” The Duke sniffed and then lifted his chin. “However, since the writing of that article, I have heard from my mother. She told me of those that my father suspected of stealing the heirlooms.”

A slight pallor came into Lord Dunford’s face.

“And even more so, I found the driver, Stanley,” the Duke continued, making Lydia’s eyes flare though she did not look up at him, wondering if this was the truth or if there was something of a pretense here. “And he has told me all.”

Lord Dunford blinked furiously, going a furious red before turning very pale indeed. Lydia blinked quickly, her breath hitching in her chest as she realized, in one swift, wonderful moment, that the truth had been discovered. There was no doubt in her mind now that Lord Dunford had been the one to steal the heirlooms.

“You grew your beard to cover the scar,” she breathed, her eyes fixing to Lord Dunford as the Duke nodded in evident agreement. “The late Duke injured you, did he not? And this was the only way you could hide it.”

Lord Dunford shook his head furiously. “No, that is preposterous. ”

“You may as well be honest, Dunford.” The Duke’s voice had taken on a commanding tone. “It is just as well for you that we are speaking out here in public, rather than standing in your drawing room or study, which was where I had intended to confront you.”

This sent a quake through Lord Dunford, for he trembled visibly and seemed to shrink before them both. The authority that the Duke presented merely by his stance and firm voice was enough to make Lydia tense, hardly able to imagine what it must feel like for Lord Dunford at this moment! She gripped the Duke’s arm all the more tightly, half hoping, half praying that the confession would come and that the Duke would hear all that he needed.

“The truth, Dunford.” Again, the Duke spoke but this time, his voice was lower and yet held even greater weight than before. “I will hear it from you now.”

Lord Dunford dropped his head and heaved out a great long breath, still shaking. The Duke stood firm and Lydia stayed precisely where she was also, feeling as if the very air around them held its breath as it waited.

Then, he spoke.

“I had no other choice.” The heaviness in Lord Dunford’s frame was reflected in his voice and as he lifted his head, he looked straight into the Duke’s eyes, desperation there. “My estate was falling to the ground. My late father had done nothing to prepare me for just how much debt was to fall upon me! I had married before he passed from this life and it was only then, once I took ownership of the estate, that I realized just how much difficulty I was in.”

The Duke scowled. “Thus, you used your friendship with my father to steal the heirlooms from him. And you did so for your own purposes.”

“I would not have killed him!” Lord Dunford exclaimed, as though this somehow made the situation a good deal better. “I wanted the heirlooms. I knew that he was to go to London to fetch them, for he had informed me of it.”

“And the driver?”

Lord Dunford closed his eyes. “He was easy enough to bribe.”

Lydia let out a slow breath, feeling every part of her body tingling. The truth had been revealed though it did not return the heirlooms to the Duke. She presumed that Lord Dunford had used them for his own requirements.

“You took the diamonds from my father,” the Duke said, speaking slowly as though every word was a weight. “You pretended to be a highwayman, bribed his driver, and then threatened him with death. And all because you needed money.”

Lord Dunford dropped his head again, an anguished exclamation breaking from his lips. “I was in a state of despair! I could not be declared impoverished, for what would that do to my family? To my reputation? I had to find a way out of the difficulty I had been placed in.”

“The Duke suspected you,” Lydia said, quietly, as Lord Dunford continued to keep his gaze low. “No doubt he realized that you had managed to make the improvements required to your estate only a short while after the heirlooms were taken.”

“You used the diamonds to pay for it all.” With a hiss of breath, the Duke shook his head. “And still, you pretended to be my father’s friend.”

There came no response from Lord Dunford and Lydia glanced up at the Duke, wondering what it was he would do now.

“I will consider what must be done,” the Duke said, after a long moment. “Excuse us, Lord Dunford. I have no desire to linger in your presence.”

Much to Lydia’s surprise, the Duke led her away from the broken gentleman, his steps quick and hasty. Lydia walked alongside him without question, saying nothing and barely daring a glance up towards him given the stony expression on his face. They walked for some time in silence, with the Duke not even acknowledging any of the greetings from others who walked along the park paths. Her heart was beating rather quickly, her stomach twisting as she prayed that the Duke would, somehow, find a way to recover.

“Goodness.”

It was the first word he had said in some time and, his steps slowing, the Duke reached across with his free hand and set it on hers. He let out another long sigh and Lydia finally found herself able to hold his gaze, surprised to see the heavy expression fading away.

“I cannot quite believe that the truth has been discovered! I was not certain that he would confess to it all.”

“But if you spoke to the driver, then –”

“Alas, I did not.” He winced. “I confess that I told a mistruth, though that is only because I felt it right to do so.”

She nodded slowly, understanding. “You have your confession, that is all that is important. You know what happened to them and who took them.”

“And why,” he added, shaking his head before rubbing one hand over his eyes. “Now that I know the truth, I confess that I do not quite know what to do.”

Lydia said nothing, not certain that she could offer any advice in such a situation.

“I shall think on it,” he said, after a short while. “Thank you for all you have done for me, Lydia.”

“But of course.” She smiled and made to continue walking, only for a frown to appear in the Duke’s expression. “Is there something wrong?”

He frowned all the harder, only to smile, as though the sunshine had suddenly broken through a great and heavy cloud to shine brightness on them all. “I feel a good deal lighter,” he said, making her smile. “And that is all because of you.”