Page 17 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
“I still wish to find Lord Kinsfeld.”
He looked at her for a long, hard moment. Long enough for her palms to sweat, and her heartbeat to hasten.
“Then you have a choice to make so that I can accommodate you accordingly.” His voice was firm, almost intimidatingly so, but Madeleine held firmer.
“I wish to find him,” she said finally. “Protect me from any risks, and we can work together.”
“I will ensure that we are not conspicuous.”
After a moment, she nodded her agreement.
“Lord Kinsfeld knows he has staggering debts,” the Duke told her as they began to leave the Golden Hand. “He owes money to some questionable men, I believe. If the staff is loyal to him, they would also report on you leaving Kinsfeld House…”
He was thinking aloud, and Madeleine found herself somewhat captivated, the lull of his low, smooth voice.
“I managed to get information from our housekeeper, but his valet did not ever answer my questions properly. Perhaps he could still be in contact with him,” Madeleine chimed in.
The Duke nodded, “Mmhm. If his valet, as you say, has informed him then, Kinsfeld thinks you have left for the day, then he might return to collect some items from the house. Heirlooms, other jewels, anything valuable…”
He held open the door for her as if unthinking of the chivalry.
Madeleine kept up with his string of thoughts easily.
“We shall visit a jeweler,” he said finally. “I know of one who is known for pawning expensive goods as well as selling them. He might have conducted business with your husband.”
When they approached the jeweler’s shop, Alexander turned to Madeleine. “You will stay here so we are not seen together.”
Knowing he was right, she nodded, though her lips pressed into a thin, reluctant line. Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her fingers digging into her elbows as if holding herself back from snapping at him.
The defiant lift of her chin and the flash of frustration in her eyes made it clear she was not happy with his decision. She wanted to argue—he could feel it in the tension radiating from her—but sheheld her tongue, likely for the same reason they both knew too well. Her reputation, already bruised by Donald’s actions, could not withstand another blow.
“I will be back shortly.” He held her gaze for a moment. He turned to leave and enter the shop but before he could, the owner Mr. Baxter saw him first and came running out of the shop.
“Your Grace!” he cried out, laughing nervously. Beneath his arm, he had a sheaf of paper tucked there, as if he knew who approached him. As if word had already traveled as he was prepared. “There is no need for you to enter. I do not wish to trouble you. Allow me to approach you.”
Alexander knew the man was trying to deflect any suspicious business on his doorstep. He nodded sharply, hovering just before the carriage.
“We are looking for Lord Kinsfeld. He would have brought some jewelry pieces to you recently to pawn.”
Immediately, the jeweler’s face shut down, replaced with a cool look. “I do not know a Lord Kinsfeld.”
“Oh,” Alexander drawled, “Oh, I do not believe you, Mr. Baxter.”
“I am afraid that is the truth, Your Grace.” The jeweler hissed the formal address at the end of the sentence. He was emboldened by not allowing the Duke into his shop.
“You would know if an earl came to do business with you, would you not?” Alexander pressed.
“Titles mean nothing to me,” the jeweler said recklessly. “That is why I do not know the lord you speak of. I have done no business with him.”
“How do you know you’ve done no business with him if you do not know him?” Alexander cocked his head, speaking slowly.
Mr. Baxter swallowed. Alexander towered over the other man, knowing full well he was being lied to.
“I-I have heard of him. I do not know him personally to have done business with him, I meant,” Mr. Baxter stammered, his voice wavering under Alexander’s iron gaze.
“Do not test my patience, Mr. Baxter,” Alexander warned, his voice low and controlled. “If you’re lying, I will know. Now, tell me the truth, or we will be done here.”
“Please,” Mr. Baxter said quietly. “I do not wish to get involved. I only… retain the items for a time.”
