Page 17 of The Virgin Duchess (Unwanted Brides #2)

Chapter Fourteen

T he Baron had threatened his sister. In writing as clear as day, the man had promised to ruin Rose with the flick of his wrist—like it was nothing.

Frederick’s heartbeat was a deafening roar in his ears, the blood in his veins laced with the acid of rage. He could do nothing about it from his house, and he’d yet to find the bastard to put a stop to this. Worse, he’d allowed himself to be utterly distracted by his marriage—one that was intended to be purely of convenience—and Rose’s tears now stained his shirt.

This cannot go on. I can’t allow this a moment longer.

“Rose,” he lifted his sister up, forcing her to meet his eyes as he dipped his head toward her, “I will not allow him to harm you. You have my word. I swear it.”

She looked up at him with tears still crowding her eyes, the redness of her flushed skin bright from the sobbing.

“How can you be sure?” Rose shook her head, wiping at the rogue tear that escaped. “He knows where we are. He had heard that you’ve been searching for him.”

Clenching his jaw, Frederick glanced up at the ceiling, taking in a deep breath. As he pulled Rose into his arms once more, Frederick whispered to her, smoothing his hand down the back of her head.

“I will not let anything happen to you. I will find the Baron and put a stop to all this.”

Slowly coming down from the frenzy of panic, her tears drying, Rose leaned into Frederick for support. And he would stay there with her as long as she required. Still, when she returned to her room, he knew that a trip was in his future.

This problem was becoming too great for him to manage alone. While he despised the idea of bringing anyone else into this affair and risking not only whoever aided him but Rose as well, there was little more he could do on his own.

So, he would seek out Richard.

The door to Blackford Estate opened moments after Frederick knocked, and he was escorted to the study by the butler of the house. Richard was already waiting for him, having received Frederick’s letter of his impending arrival.

“Richard, thank you for seeing me.” He crossed the room, reaching out to shake his friend’s hand.

“Of course. You’re my best friend, and I shall lend my assistance wherever I can.” Richard looked over at the butler still waiting at the door. “That’s all for now. Thank you.”

The man bowed and left the two of them alone to discuss Frederick’s problem with the Baron of Halfacre. He intended on keeping the situation as vague as possible for Rose’s sake, and Frederick only hoped that Richard would understand, taking his words at face value by merit of their friendship.

“Now,” Richard gestured to the set of chairs in front of the room’s fireplace, taking a seat, “what is this about Halfacre? He’s been absent for a time without anyone aware of his location. Has he done something?”

Frederick swallowed, his stare landing on the floor as he took a seat in the unoccupied chair next to Richard’s. It was a moment before he answered.

“Yes. Halfacre has done something that concerns my family. I do not wish to speak more on it, only to say that it is of serious concern and could do terrible harm to my family.”

Sitting up straighter, Richard regarded him. “Frederick, if he’s done something truly so outrageous, surely you must see the value of revealing it. Should the constables be brought in? Are you in danger?”

“No, no, no. We’re not getting the constables involved.” Frederick shook his head, holding up a hand like it might actually stop Richard from getting up and contacting them at once. “I shall be able to manage this myself. I just need to locate the bastard, and I’m out of ideas.”

His friend’s eyes widened. It wasn’t often that Frederick let his temper get the best of him, and he was usually either playing off his disinterest with false flirtations or quietly allowing the rest of the room to fill it with conversation.

In truth, few people—even Richard—knew who he was down to his core. Frederick despised the ton and the gossiping nonsense they were so known for. He didn’t enjoy lavish parties with too many attendants to even keep track of them. And he wasn’t altogether fond of the notion of a relationship.

That was why he had leaned into the image of being a rake. It served his purpose.

Women and their families were far less likely to seek him out for a favorable match if they believed he was not of value and propriety. Indeed, the number of partners he’d taken during his university years when men were supposed to be sowing their wild oats was far less than he let on.

“Frederick,” Richard started again, “you are my dearest friend, and I will help you however I can. I’ll admit that it is a shock to see you so obviously out of sorts, however. I don’t understand why you are so bent on finding and…if I am presuming correctly, destroying Halfacre.”

Closing his eyes for a moment, Frederick reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I appreciate your help, Richard. I will tell you that he is not the sort of man you’d see around any of your family either. He has…there is a chance that he could harm my family’s standing. You must see that I can’t allow that.”

Richard was the one to hold up his hand this time, his expression one of soothing Frederick’s frayed nerves.

“I do. Assuredly. You have not taken advantage of my assistance or kindness ever in our lives, Frederick. I trust you. What can I do?”

Adjusting in his chair, Frederick let out a long breath, his stare shifting to the fireplace. As he leaned forward, propping up his chin with his fist, his elbow on his leg, he considered the situation.

“I need to find him. I’ve asked around at each social event I’ve attended. I’ve had servants search the city for him, and still, nothing. I need to get him in my grip, then I will be able to put a stop to his conniving dealings.”

Richard was quiet, but when Frederick glanced up at him, he could see the wheels turning in his friend’s mind, that look of concentration familiar after the years of studying together. For a moment, it made Frederick miss those days long ago in university. Life seemed so much simpler then, and he was much more of a single mind.

The goals present then were to have his fun, learn what was necessary to become a successful businessman—and no longer have to simply rely on the safekeeping of the family wealth—and convince his father that there was no reason for him to marry.

Only a few of those things had come to fruition. He’d managed to have quite the time in university, calculating a contrived reputation that he was a bit of a rake. It still tickled Frederick that of all the rumors about him, the most long-standing was the one he’d created himself.

But while he remained unwed until Charlotte, Frederick had not convinced his father that it was the best course of action. They fought about it until the day of his death.

“What might make the Baron wish to reveal himself?” Frederick looked up as Richard spoke, his brow furrowing. “Imagine yourself in his situation. What would force you to leave your place of hiding?”

Frederick scoffed, anger simmering in his veins. “Unfortunately, what he’s currently doing to me. Threatening the standing of my family.”

Richard nodded. “Of course. Still, Halfacre has no family. From everything I know about the man, he only has his money and his family estate. While he’s attended social events, he has never been particularly interested in them, and the man is rather focused during those gatherings on speaking with eligible women. He’s been in want of a bride.”

A spark lit in Frederick’s mind, and he sat up straight before leaving his chair altogether to pace about the room.

“Indeed, he has. So, what then might happen if we jeopardized his ability to secure a wife? Revealed his unsavory dealings to everyone in the ton. He’d be blacklisted and set to become an unwed miser.”

Richard was quick to follow Frederick to his feet, right on his heels enough to stop Frederick before he made a second round in front of the fireplace, his hands going to Frederick’s shoulders.

“Frederick,” Richard met his eyes hard, “you want to spread rumors about the Baron of Halfacre? Are you sure that it is wise?”

He understood his friend’s concern, but this was not the time to be playing nice with the enemy. He couldn’t allow that man to harm his sister, and if it was not this, Frederick simply couldn’t see another way to draw the man out of hiding.

Shaking his head, Frederick stepped back, removing himself from Richard’s hands. “They might be rumors, Richard, but they will not be falsehoods. You and I both know how unacceptable of a man Halfacre truly is. It is time he faced what he’s put out into the city and reaped the consequences.”

Regarding Frederick, Richard cocked his head, then turned his attention to the floor. Several moments of silence passed between them, and Frederick began to wonder if Richard would indeed back off from this course of action and leave him to draw Halfacre out on his own.

Then, after a heavy breath, Richard met his eyes once more and nodded.

“Very well. You know, I have no great love for the ton and their scandal sheets, but perhaps we can set them to serve a good purpose, even if unknowingly. Halfacre has made several enemies of the ton’s assemblage. It should not take too much effort on our part before we see word start spreading once again about his past misdeeds. Time may have glossed over them, but a new light on them will bring his indiscretions out of the shadows.”

“And, hopefully, his presence as well.” Frederick reached out across the short space to Richard, offering a hand. “Thank you, Richard. You are, as always, a consummate friend and confidant.”

Richard took his hand and shook it, bringing him forward for a brotherly pound on Frederick’s back.

“How shall we begin? There is little effectiveness in simply wandering about and spreading these truths to any passerby we might encounter.”

Frederick nodded. “Indeed. Though…”

He considered the notion, pulling information from his brain like pulling teeth. He’d heard Charlotte mention something earlier when he had only been half-listening. What had she said before their sudden falling out with each other?

“I believe there is another ball to be had quite soon. Though I am loathe to go to them, as you know, it might be the perfect place to deliver the truth to the ton.”

Richard grinned with one side of his mouth, a smirk Frederick had seen him wear when he was being particularly devious.

“And with them heavy into their cups, word will spread quickly.”

His somber mood lightening, Frederick smiled back at his friend, sitting back down. He noticed the small bottle of brandy and the two glasses that had been left on a small table near the seat, and Frederick took care to pour himself and his friend a hefty splash of the deep amber liquid.

Richard accepted the drink graciously, and they clinked their glasses together in a silent toast. They had a plan, a fine one at that, and soon that cursed Halfacre would be driven into the light. Frederick would finally be able to catch the bastard and make him pay for his threats to his family.

“Now then,” Richard interjected, interrupting Frederick’s thoughts, “as that is settled. Tell me about how it is going at home with your new wife. We’ve hardly spoken of the matter, and I’ll admit being especially curious.”

Frederick stiffened. He’d hoped to avoid this conversation—indefinitely. Charlotte was furious with him for giving her no indication of what had been going on with the Baron. While Richard could trust him enough to believe that the situation demanded the secrecy and severity Frederick put forth, Charlotte had no reason to do so.

“That…that is a story for another time, I’m afraid,” Frederick spoke through a tight jaw. “I shall say that we are at odds at present. Though, if this situation with Halfacre resolves quickly and to my benefit, I am sure we can sort out the manner swiftly.”

Richard eyed him, offering a sarcastic grin that sent a lance through Frederick’s chest.

“Oh, Freddie, my dear friend. I say this as a recent convert to the ways of marriage. Don’t put off speaking to your wife. It never ends well.”