Page 70 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

Frances reached her rooms and found Sara hanging some freshly laundered garments in the wardrobe.

“Begging your pardon, Your Grace, but I couldn’t help but notice your sewing has been neglected. Would you like for me to take on some of it?” she asked, sounding hopeful.

“That would be very kind of you, Sara. Thank you. But only if you wish. I won’t have you taking on the things that I’ve been too lazy to finish.”

“Too busy, you mean, what with all you’ve been doing ‘round here. But don’t worry about it none, I’ll have all of these things finished straight away,” the maid promised.

Frances thanked her and went to sit down for a moment, her thoughts taking hold of something Abigail and Anthony had spoken of. What was this problem she’d asked about? The one that Anthony had said led to some bruising? He’d told her the problem had not yet been resolved, though he felt there had been some progress.

“Sara?” Frances asked thoughtfully, a new idea coming to her. “Who was that man who came to call? The one that His Grace threw out and we saw waiting in his carriage outside the house.”

“Sir Perry, was it?” Sara suggested, deep in thought.

“That’s it. It cannot be a coincidence that he came here and Anthony became nearly violent with rage. Surely, His Grace isn’t up to his neck in problems. Do you think that man could be the problem they spoke of?”

“I wouldn’t know, Your Grace. Though it cannot hurt to find out. Do you think we should go out and see for ourselves?”

“You are always itching to thrash someone, aren’t you,” Frances accused playfully.

“Only those as deserve it!” Sara answered, grinning. “But if I may ask, why are you so determined to find this out? Is it not better to leave these matters to the duke?”

“If he could have ended this problem already, he would have. Don’t you think? I feel it is the least I can do after the upheaval I’ve caused. Besides, I just know it has something to do with Abigail. You didn’t see her, Sara. She’s a prisoner upstairs, and they were both so secretive about her presence. They are so worried that someone will know she is here and tell others. I cannot help but think this man and his claims of an agreement have something to do with it.”

“Then we must find out all we can for her sake! I’ll fetch your bonnet,” Sara insisted, putting down the sewing she’d already begun sorting through.

When they slipped out of the house and hurried to the corner, Frances finally began to look around. To her disappointment, there was no carriage and no Sir Perry.

“It’s not as though we could will him to appear,” Sara reminded her helpfully. “But all is not lost, there’s your friend coming along.”

Frances looked up to find Lady Agnes rushing towards her. She brightened when she saw Frances.

“You’ll never guess! The butcher has taken down his notices for an apprentice!” Agnes said.

“My word, how could I have forgotten to send you a note. Juliet has returned! She’s staying with us at Cadmoor House until everything is sorted,” Frances explained. “But for now, I have a new concern.”

Frances wished to tell her about Abigail, for she was certain they would become close friends as well. Instead, she remembered the warning from before, the warning that Frances couldn’t be trusted to keep Abigail’s presence a secret. Instead, she spoke of Anthony’s strange bruises and her concerns about this baronet. Agnes listened intently, nodding thoughtfully as she took in the news, peppering Frances with questions from time to time.

“And as such, we’re off to find this horrible man,” Frances concluded.

“How do you even know for sure that Sir Perry is connected to this?” Agnes asked while Sara nodded in agreement.

“I don’t. It is merely a feeling I have, and I intend to learn all I can about him.”

“Didn’t Emma offer to have her father find out who he is? We should go and fetch her.”

It was the first real semblance of a plan that Frances had, so she readily agreed. Emma was more helpful than she knew, however.

“I’ve spoken to Father!” Emma cried as soon as she received them. “There is no such man as Sir Perry or the Baronet of Bellingsworth!”

“What? How can he be sure?” Frances asked, her eyes wide.

“As I said, he makes it his business to know every single member of theton, or at least know them by name and who they’re connected to. He has serious designs on his future, and he never misses a chance to know someone who can help further him. I may have hinted that he’s the brother of a duke and seeking a wife,” Emma said, wincing at her own deceit. “Father has asked everywhere, all under the guise of being invited to make an investment with him. No one has heard of this man at all!”

“Could he be from the Continent, perhaps?” Agnes suggested.

“I wouldn’t think so. He certainly seemed British enough, and his name would make me believe it as well,” Frances said, still pondering the mysterious discovery. “If he’s a fraud, then there’s even more reason to root him out and expose him. My husband seems to have already paid him money on at least one occasion, and this Sir Perry claims he’s after more than that.”

“Would you remember his carriage if you saw it again? We could go out in search of him, just to see what we find. It’s a lovely enough day that it won’t be a wasted effort if nothing turns up,”Emma suggested. Within minutes, they were squeezed into her father’s carriage and rolling through the streets of London.

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