Page 16 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
“And what do I have to gain from that, exactly, Your Grace?”
“His loyalty. Saving yourself from his anger if you reveal his hiding place. Of course, if his debts remain unpaid, you would benefit as you would not lose any possessions or funding. If he is forced to pay, then whose pretty jewels and dresses would be the first to go in order to settle the debts?”
Madeleine burned beneath his correct assumption but dared not confirm it. He gave her a long once-over, lingering on the silver thread on her dark blue dress.
“Your Grace, you are insinuating that I am a shallow wife,” she answered. “If I knew where my husband is, then—” She paused, thinking of the confirmation Mrs. Raleigh had given her of Lord Kinsfeld being seen with other women. “Then I would have my own troubles to settle with him.”
“Is that so?”
She saw it in his eyes—he knew what she did. And why.
He knows of my husband’s infidelity.
Yet he was sparing her the shame of acknowledging it, of facing it head-on, as he had saved her from Mr. Barrington’s words of humiliation, too.
It softened some of the anger in her, and she cleared her throat.
“That is so,” she replied, her voice icy and calm. “However, he does not seem to be here.”
The Duke swept his gaze around the room. “He does not. He is also not at the Clover, nor the Raven’s Den.”
Madeleine’s chest tightened, a gasp leaving her. “The Raven’s Den? He… he would be mixed up in such an establishment?”
“What sort of establishment is that?” A brow was raised at her.
Ah, he is a patron, I see.
“A notorious hive of debauchery, one understands. Similar to this one, but bigger, deeper. I have heard it has depths one cannot comprehend.”
“You make it sound very dark.”
“Are you insulted?” she challenged. “Is it a favorite haunt of yours?”
Something crossed the Duke’s face, as if he could not decide whether to be insulted or amused.
In the end, he shrugged, “It is not dark. It is a gambling hall, and that comes with its consequences.”
“Like my husband.”
“Exactly.”
“And fists, I imagine, when those debts do not get paid.”
“Not fists,” he answered, somewhat sharply. “Violence is not always the answer.” He frowned at the floor. “Too many men in our society are simply thugs. Words can solve things as easily as fists can. In fact, words get more issues resolved.”
Madeleine blinked, somewhat impressed by him, but begrudgingly so. “That is… a rare opinion.”
He paused, as if not knowing how to respond to that, until he started again. “If you truly do not know where your husband is, Lady Kinsfeld, then we should continue searching together. Two heads are better than one, do you not agree? Besides, you will need a chaperone for the sorts of unsavory places your husband visits.”
What has my husband gotten me involved with? Madeleine asked herself despairingly.
How could she agree to such a thing? Her reputation among society was already under speculation—to sully it further by being seen with an unmarried man such as the Duke would do damage.
Investigating alone had its risks, and investigating with the Duke would be advantageous but… how could she risk it?
“I cannot be seen with an unmarried man,” she voiced. “Even to stand here with you is a risk. You have to fear nothing while I would risk everything.”
“Everything?” he echoed, laughing drily. “Lady Kinsfeld, thiseverythingyou speak of dwindles each day.” He paused, his mouth tightening. “However, I understand what you are saying. All right, I will continue on my own. In your best interests, I insist you return home immediately.”
