Page 152 of From Rakes to Riches

“Wouldn’t be walking withmenow,” Anna finished more cheerfully. “In that way something wonderful came out of all the sadness. Not just me seeing you again, but your relationship with Lord Essex.”

Lola couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. “I love him quite completely.”

“I’m thrilled you’ve found each other, but what will you do?” Anna asked. “I can’t imagine how your life is now, always looking over your shoulder and slipping into the shadows whenever you see a fancy carriage approach.”

“Actually, I didn’t venture far beyond Vauxhall Gardens or my neighborhood until Theodore came into my life,” Lola continued as they took a turn leading into the flower gardens. “Everything seems different now. I’m not so sure performing is what I want to do anymore. I haven’t mentioned any of this to Theodore yet, but I will once I’m certain it’s the right decision for my future.”

“I’m still in awe that you walk a tightrope. So much has happened so quickly.”

“It has, but I’m ready to focus on my future,” Lola added with a sense of surety.

“I know you love Lord Essex and you want to be together, but what will you do if…” Anna’s voice trailed off as if saying the unthinkable aloud would cause the worst to happen.

“I know. You don’t have to say it, because I’ve thought about it endlessly since I realized my feelings for Theodore. The situation with the Duke of Leinster will always be an obstacle in our path. The fact I wasn’t born a proper lady already created a risk to his social standing and I would never harm Theodore’s reputation or tarnish his heritage. At the same time, I don’t want us to conceal our relationship or live some strange restrictive life. It all weighs heavily on my heart.”

“I wish I had some wise advice to share or a solution to your problems,” Anna said, pausing in their walk to clasp Lola’s hands in her own. “I love you and want you to be happy.”

“Thank you, Anna. Seeing you after all this time lifts my heart and reminds me that unforeseen miracles can occur when we least expect them. I want to believe this will be resolved in the end. But if by chance, my being with Theodore will cause him unhappiness or scandal, I’ll walk away. I love him too much to hurt him in that manner.”

“Oh, Lola.” Anna’s voice was a sad, hushed whisper. “There has to be something we can do. What if you went to the duke and apologized? It can’t look very well for him to be involved in litigation. I know you would have to swallow your pride to appease his, but if your apology convinced him to drop the charges, wouldn’t it be worth it? To be able to go ahead with your future and stay with Theodore without worry of exposure?”

“The duke is a despicable person. He’s arrogant, quick-tempered and unpredictable in his moods. I don’t know if youridea would work. What if I went to him and instead of retracting the charges, he sent for the authorities and had me taken into custody immediately? I’d have nothing but regret then.” Lola began to walk again, restless with her sister’s suggestion. “Less of a future is better than no future at all.”

“But what of your heartache?” Anna asked as they moved further into the gardens. “Would you ever be able to be happy again without the earl by your side? You just told me you love him.”

“With all my heart.”

“Exactly,” Anna said, huffing a breath of frustration. “Then we have to think of a solution to this problem. Nothing else will suffice.”

Theodore handedhis card to the stoic butler who answered the door at the Duke of Leinster’s residence. After talking with Huntington and settling on an idea, Theodore had decided to attempt a conversation with His Grace concerning the situation. While he couldn’t outright acknowledge his relationship with Lola without inviting questions about her location, there wasn’t any other course forward. Leinster possessed all the power at the moment.

“His Grace will see you shortly,” the butler said when he returned to the foyer.

“Thank you,” Theodore replied quickly. He’d expected to be turned away.

He was installed in the drawing room to wait where he stared at the fire and mentally reviewed his brief confrontation with the duke at Tattersall’s, a predicament Leinster construed as vindictive, even though it was nothing of the kind. To ask for the duke’s help as an honorable peer of the realm when the man was nothing of the sort was hypocrisy as its best.

“Lord Essex.”

Leinster entered the room and advanced across the plush carpet soundlessly. He was a tall, thin man whose haughty demeanor was discernible in every aspect of his person.

“Thank you for taking time to see me, Your Grace,” Theodore said. “I realize my visit is unexpected.”

“Have you come to apologize for overbidding on that superior mare and ruining my afternoon at Tattersall’s?” The duke stood a few strides away, his expression unreadable.

“My action wasn’t meant in disrespect,” Theodore said smoothly, not wanting to incite the man’s temper.

“Wasn’t it though?” Leinster replied. “Even though you became aware I wanted the horse, you continued to outbid me.”

“Only because I, too, admire fine horseflesh.”

Leinster didn’t reply and cautious not to waste time, Theodore started to explain his reason for visiting.

“I’m here on behalf of a fellow gentleman and close friend, Braden Ulrich, Earl of Huntington.”

“What is it Huntington needs that he’s sent you instead of calling upon me directly? Such an act speaks poorly of his character,” the duke said in a smug tone.

“Huntington doesn’t know I’ve come,” Theodore said, unwilling to allow Leinster to disparage his friend. If Theodore had any hope of meeting with success, every aspect of the conversation had to proceed correctly. “He’s courting a young woman of whom you are acquainted. Her name is Anna Morgan.”

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