Page 66 of Not the Duke's Virgin

“How fortuitous,” Victoria replied, attempting to match his cheerful tone while her disquiet grew.

“Yes, everything is falling into place now,” her father continued exuberantly. “This will give me the credibility I need to finally make real progress. Our fortunes will soon rise, mark my words!”

“I hope so,” Victoria offered weakly, her thoughts racing.

This sudden reversal seemed too opportune, coming so soon after Simon’s sudden silence. She needed to discover whether he was somehow behind this.

Making an excuse, Victoria went in search of her cousin Madeline. Finding her reading in the morning room, she quickly relayed the news.

“This all seems quite a coincidence,” Madeline agreed with a frown. “Could His Grace be involved?”

Victoria paced in agitation. “I suspect as much, though his motives elude me. He must mean to place my family in his debt, or strengthen his hand in some way.”

“You may be right.” Madeline set her book aside. “I can subtly make some inquiries if you like. There are always rumors circulating.”

“Please do.” Victoria twisted her hands. “I must learn if His Grace is behind this.”

In the following days, Victoria waited tensely for Madeline to gather information, all while maintaining a facade of contentment when her father boasted of his sudden reversal of fortune. Her thoughts churned with uneasy speculation.

At last, Madeline approached Victoria with a grave expression, drawing her aside. In hushed tones, she reported what she had learned. “It is just as you feared. Rumors link His Grace to your father’s new investor. He provided a glowing character reference that convinced Lord Dalton to hand over a significant sum.”

Victoria’s pulse quickened, though she kept her face impassive. “I see. Did you learn anything of his motives?”

Madeline shook her head. “No, only that he intervened on your father’s behalf. But whatever his reasons, they are unlikely to be altruistic.”

Pacing away, Victoria pressed a hand to her furrowed brow. Why would Simon interfere in her family’s affairs so? Was it merely a ploy to get closer to her father for their false betrothal? Or something more sinister? His actions made no sense to her.

Over the following days, Victoria wrestled with the question of Simon’s motives. When next she saw him, she was determined to subtly extract the truth from him. She would need to proceed carefully, neither leaping to accusations nor letting her conflicted emotions cloud her judgment. Much depended on maintaining clarity of purpose.

But Simon did not call, nor make any attempt to contact her. As the days passed with no word, Victoria grew increasingly frustrated with herself for waiting, for expecting anything at all from that vexing man. She needed to put him out of her mind and focus on uncovering the truth through other means. There must be some clue as to his motives in assisting her father. She only had to find it.

Nearly a week had gone by when late one afternoon, an exuberant knock sounded at the front door. Victoria heard her father rush to answer it himself, his jubilant voice carrying to where she sat attempting to read in the parlor.

“Lord Huntington, welcome! To what do I owe the honor?”

Victoria set her book aside, smoothing her expression as she listened to the men’s conversation.

“I’ve come to discuss expanding our investment, now that things are progressing so well,” Lord Carmicheal replied. “Thanks in large part to your mysterious benefactor’s endorsement. Tell me, did you ever learn who it was?”

“Why no, the referral came anonymously through my solicitor,” her father answered. “Quite mysteriously. But no matter, it has certainly borne fruit!”

“Remarkable,” Lord Huntington mused. “Well, whoever it was has my gratitude as well. Our venture promises to be most lucrative now…”

Their voices faded down the hall toward the study. Victoria remained frozen in thought, her heartbeat quickening. Here was a possible clue, if she could just learn who had provided the character reference that started it all. Determined, she rose and hurried off in search of Madeline. Her resourceful cousin had a lot of contacts. Surely between them, they could unravel this mystery.

She found Madeline arranging flowers in the conservatory and quickly shared what she had overheard. “If we can discover who gave that recommendation, it may lead us to His Grace,” Victoria reasoned. “Can you help?”

Madeline set aside her shears, brow furrowed. “Hmm. That will take some doing, but I may know where to start asking subtle questions. Leave it to me.”

In the following week, they worked together to cautiously make inquiries amongst Madeline’s friends and acquaintances. Victoria held her breath each time Madeline approached her, hoping she had finally uncovered the truth.

But day after day, it was the same—either ignorance or vague rumors that led nowhere. Still, they persisted, determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. Too much was at stake for Victoria to simply let it be.

Late one evening, Madeline hurried to Victoria’s room in a state of excitement. “I have it!” she exclaimed. “The character reference came from a Mr. Harold Kenfield. And when I made discreet mention of him to Lady Haversham, she hinted he has ties to His Grace!”

“Mr. Kenfield…” Victoria turned the name over, pondering its significance. “So you believe he acted on behalf of His Grace?”

“It seems likely. I know Lady Haversham is something of a gossip, but she did appear in earnest.” Madeline gave a satisfied smile. “What will you do with this information?”

---