Page 76 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

The memory of that kiss—and of all the ones that had come after—still crept into Frances’ mind at the strangest times. Now, though, her thoughts were consumed with protecting Abigail and taking this terrible weight off of Anthony.

“Juliet, it is quite simple. And despite the duke’s misgivings, I assure you that you will not be in any danger,” Frances explained. “We will simply invite Sir Perry to call and explain to him that the decision is entirely yours by Anthony’s own statement. You will refuse to marry him, and that will be the end of it—all while you are pretending to be Abigail.”

“What purpose would that serve?” Thomas asked hesitantly.

“It is how we will expose Sir Perry as a fraud. You see, I have the suspicion that Sir Perry doesn’t actually wish to marry Abigail. Instead, it is the funds he is after.”

“How so?” Anthony asked, warming up to the idea slowly.

“If he had a valid contract and you simply refused to honor it, he could have hauled you in front of the magistrate by now. No, it’s simply the money that he’s extorting that is his aim. By callinghim out and saying you’ll agree to it if your sister agrees, then he will either have to give up this fool’s errand or attempt to marry someone who is already wed. Juliet is the perfect ruse, for she is already married and cannot legally become his wife.”

“That is brilliant, Fran!” Juliet cried out, nodding happily to Abigail.

“But what if this man doesn’t confess that the contract isn’t valid? What if attempts to force my wife to go with him?” Thomas pressed, his worry growing obvious.

“Then you will step in from where you’ve been hiding and demand that he release your wife at once. We can even reveal to Anthony at that very moment that his dear sister secretly married without his knowledge and therefore, she cannot marry. That would leave Anthony blameless in this scheme for he had no knowledge of it. Prior to his arrival, Vickers will have brought a constable just in case, all so we can ensure that everyone is safe.”

“I’ll do it!” Juliet announced proudly, sitting up taller. “Anything to make Abby free from this monster.”

“Are you sure, Jules? I cannot have it on my conscience should something happen to you!” Abigail replied mournfully.

“Nothing will happen. We will call him out and make him tear up that damnable piece of paper for good.”

Frances beamed confidently, but it took the others a few minutes to come around to her plan. Juliet was obviously the first to approve, followed by a still-reluctant Thomas. He looked at her with such a mixture of pride and adoration that Frances felt a surge of happiness for how everything had turned out for them. Abigail still looked wary, but she nodded for Juliet’s sake, which left Anthony as the lone holdout.

“I don’t like the thought of that man in this house,” he said, taking Frances in his arms after everyone had left the impromptu meeting.

“I don’t either. But I despise more the thought of your sister living in hiding or worse, actually having to marry that man. This scheme will work, Anthony. It has to.”

Anthony grimaced, and his lips were pressed into a thin, white line. Eventually, he nodded and relaxed only slightly, pulling Frances closer and letting his chin rest against her hair.

“I trust you. I don’t have to like it, but I do have to admit that it’s a far better scheme than anything I’ve been able to think up. And if your young cousin can do her part bravely, so can I. Only tell me what I must do.”

“You will have to go to great lengths to control your temper,” Frances cautioned, looking up at him. “Sir Perry seems to be the vilest man to ever draw breath, and I’m certain he will wish to appear as though he’s triumphed over you. Do not let him rile you, not even for Juliet’s sake. For now, you’ll need to send word to him that you’ve come to a decision about your sister and thiscontract. Tell him it will be her decision entirely, and if he can agree to accept her answer once and for all, you will refrain from interfering.”

“What if he doesn’t agree, but rather insists that I force her to go through with it?” he asked.

“Then we’ll inform him that your solicitor will come for all the funds that have been paid so far. Those funds were in payment for breaking the contract, and you’re now free of any obligation.”

Anthony smiled at her. “I wish I’d thought to take that step a long time ago.”

“You couldn’t have. You had your sister and her health to consider. Posturing as though you were prepared for a fight in the courts would have been dangerous, for a judge could decide that the contract stands and Abigail must comply.”

“What’s different now?” he asked, looking alarmed again. Frances smiled reassuringly.

“You have me. And I happen to have a very tricky secret weapon.”

“Should I be afraid of you?” Anthony asked with a wry smile, the mistrust on his face almost comical.

“Always,” Frances answered, laughing softly. She stood on her toes and kissed him quickly. “But for now, we have a letter to write. I assume you know where to find Sir Perry?”

“He keeps an office on Vale Street. He’s often not there, but I can leave it for him.”

“Please promise you’ll take Vickers, or better yet, a footman or two. I don’t like the thought of you being alone where this scoundrel has the upper hand.” Anthony nodded, and Frances let go of the breath she’d been holding.

That was easier than I expected, she thought, her suspicions aroused.Perhaps Anthony truly does have reason to fear this terrible man.

“Good. Then let’s see to this letter.”

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