Page 79 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

“But you can prove these allegations against Bellingsworth?” Anthony asked.

“I most certainly can,” he replied smugly. “When I learned of his identity, I sought out his business associates. There are a small number of them sitting in the gaoler’s cells right now, willing to trade their testimony to spare their necks. I trust that Sir Perry will not be so fortunate with his fate.”

Frances grasped her friend’s hand for reassurance, unable to even hope that this was all true.

“Emma? Please do not toy with me, I beg you. Your father’s information is correct? This man will be dealt with under the law?” she pleaded.

“Most certainly. As Father said, this liar’s men have already been taken in and confessions have been made. Unlike this marriage contract, their sworn statements are valid.”

Frances felt as if she could faint, but Anthony was close at her side at once. She nodded to tell him she was all right.

“I was only overwhelmed,” she promised him. “I suppose I didn’t think this scheme would work out so well!”

“To be fair, Emma and her father were a great help. Sir, you have my everlasting gratitude. Anything you ever have need of, you must only call on my to help,” Anthony promised Lord Dewbury.

“I’d be careful with my promises if I were you, Your Grace. He may call upon you to find a husband for me!” Emma said, nudging her father playfully with her elbow.

“After what we’ve seen today, I cannot say that I’m in favor of marriage much at all, and certainly not to any of the men there are to choose from in theton,” her father replied, jerking his head to the men to remove the false baronet.

“I shall be all too happy to select someone for myself, you know. Only if you approve of him, of course,” Emma teased, but her father only shrugged.

“It worked rather well for Thomas and me,” Juliet ventured, but Frances soon corrected her.

“That’s a topic for another time. For now, we should go and inform Abby that her imprisonment is over.”

CHAPTER 31

“Ithink I shall be ill,” Juliet said, pressing her hand to her middle.

“That’s only your nerves. Remember, you have nothing to fear. I’m here to stand up for you, and Thomas will not leave your side,” Frances reminded her.

“But why must we do this? Why can’t everything stay precisely as it has been?” her cousin whimpered.

“This is important. It might not feel like it now, but someday you could come to regret not doing this. Both of you, that is,” she said, looking over at Thomas.

“You won’t let anything bad happen, will you?”

“Of course not. Jules, I promise you, the dread you’re feeling is far worse than the actual problem.”

“All right. If you say so. Let’s get on with it.”

Thomas and Juliet followed Frances out of her morning room, descending the stairs together to the drawing room. Frances nodded to Mr. Vickers, who opened the pair of doors for them. Frances entered first, looking to her aunt and then her uncle. Juliet came in behind her with Thomas at her side.

“Juliet!” Lady Hutchings cried, rushing forward to embrace her daughter.

“Mother. It’s good to see you,” Juliet said, her words sounding cautious. She turned to Lord Hutchings with a hopeful expression. “And you as well, Father.”

The viscount only grunted in response. Frances knew his moods well enough to know that he’d been cajoled into coming here. His sour expression made her fearful that he wasn’t about to forgive his young daughter soon.

“Juliet! We were so worried about you. How could you run off and not tell us anything about where you’d gone?” the viscountess cried, dabbing at what appeared to be real tears.

“I’m sorry, Mother. But I was afraid of what may befall me. Lord Rowlings—”

“Oh that,” Lady Hutchings said dismissively, waving off her concern. “There’s no need to think of awful things. That’s all behind us, isn’t it, dear?”

Lord Hutchings didn’t answer.

“Mother, may I introduce my husband, Mr. Thomas Bailey,” Juliet said hesitantly, though her proud smile gave away her feelings.

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