Page 39 of The Truth about the Duke
Lydia let out a slow breath, feeling every part of her body tingling. The truth had been revealed though it did not return the heirlooms to the Duke. She presumed that Lord Dunford had used them for his own requirements.
“You took the diamonds from my father,” the Duke said, speaking slowly as though every word was a weight. “You pretended to be a highwayman, bribed his driver, and then threatened him with death. And all because you needed money.”
Lord Dunford dropped his head again, an anguished exclamation breaking from his lips. “I was in a state of despair! I could not be declared impoverished, for what would that do to my family? To my reputation? I had to find a way out of the difficulty I had been placed in.”
“The Duke suspected you,” Lydia said, quietly, as Lord Dunford continued to keep his gaze low. “No doubt he realized that you had managed to make the improvements required to your estate only a short while after the heirlooms were taken.”
“You used the diamonds to pay for it all.” With a hiss of breath, the Duke shook his head. “And still, you pretended to be my father’s friend.”
There came no response from Lord Dunford and Lydia glanced up at the Duke, wondering what it was he would do now.
“I will consider what must be done,” the Duke said, after a long moment. “Excuse us, Lord Dunford. I have no desire to linger in your presence.”
Much to Lydia’s surprise, the Duke led her away from the broken gentleman, his steps quick and hasty. Lydia walked alongside him without question, saying nothing and barely daring a glance up towards him given the stony expression onhis face. They walked for some time in silence, with the Duke not even acknowledging any of the greetings from others who walked along the park paths. Her heart was beating rather quickly, her stomach twisting as she prayed that the Duke would, somehow, find a way to recover.
“Goodness.”
It was the first word he had said in some time and, his steps slowing, the Duke reached across with his free hand and set it on hers. He let out another long sigh and Lydia finally found herself able to hold his gaze, surprised to see the heavy expression fading away.
“I cannot quite believe that the truth has been discovered! I was not certain that he would confess to it all.”
“But if you spoke to the driver, then –”
“Alas, I did not.” He winced. “I confess that I told a mistruth, though that is only because I felt it right to do so.”
She nodded slowly, understanding. “You have your confession, that is all that is important. You know what happened to them and who took them.”
“And why,” he added, shaking his head before rubbing one hand over his eyes. “Now that I know the truth, I confess that I do not quite know what to do.”
Lydia said nothing, not certain that she could offer any advice in such a situation.
“I shall think on it,” he said, after a short while. “Thank you for all you have done for me, Lydia.”
“But of course.” She smiled and made to continue walking, only for a frown to appear in the Duke’s expression. “Is there something wrong?”
He frowned all the harder, only to smile, as though the sunshine had suddenly broken through a great and heavy cloud to shine brightness on them all. “I feel a good deal lighter,” he said, making her smile. “And that isallbecause of you.”
Epilogue
“Iknow what it is that I want to do.”
Henry strode through the door of Lord and Lady Hampshire’s drawing room, heedless to who else was present in the room.
“Your… Your Grace!” Lady Lydia practically leaped to her feet, though Lady Markham –there to take tea with her friend – smiled and rose to her feet before walking quietly out of the room.
“I know what I want to do, Lydia,” Henry told her, filled with that strange and sudden determination that had flooded him from the very moment he had awoken this morning. “I have decided.” Coming closer to her, he took both of her hands in his, his heart thumping wildly.
“About the heirlooms?” Lady Lydia blinked, her eyes round as she gazed up at him. “Or Lord Dunford?”
A smile touched the edge of his mouth. “I have decided on that, yes, though that is not what I am speaking of at present,” he told her, trying to speak a little more gently now. “I have realized something. I awoke this morning without that burden upon my shoulders, without the wonderings about the heirlooms sittingin my mind and that has brought me such clarity, it is as though I am seeing everything in a new light!”
She blinked again but said nothing, her lips in a small circle of surprise.
“The heirlooms were important to me,” Henry continued, quickly, “but now that I know what happened to them and where they have gone, I do not have to worry about that any longer. There is nothing I can do to recover them and nothing I can bring upon Lord Dunford by way of consequence.” Lifting one shoulder lightly, he pressed her hands. “It is not right what he did, of course, but there is no recourse. A letter came from him this morning and I have his apology – his profuse apology – and his promise to make some sort of reparation but I have come to see that such a thing is not of great value or importance to me. Having the diamonds returned would have brought me contentment, yes, but it would not have brought me joy.” Leaning down just a little, he looked keenly into her eyes. “You do.”
Watching her expression carefully, Henry waited for her response. When he had woken this morning, he had realized, in a single moment, that the only thing he cared about now was whether or not Lady Lydia might continue in their acquaintance… and just how much he wanted her to be by his side. His heart, now free of the questions and concerns over the heirlooms, had laid out his emotions quite plainly, showing him just how much of an affection and desire he had for Lady Lydia.
He could only pray that she felt something similar.
