“I didn’t.” Mr. Braddock shook his head. “The letter gave very little detail.”
“May I read it?” Levi asked as he leaned forward and held out his hand.
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
Levi silently perused the terse two-line missive. “This sounds extremely cold.”
“I thought the same,” Mr. Braddock replied, adding a heavy sigh. “I assumed Eveline hadn’t yet forgiven me for ignoring her protests.”
“Has she?” Roxburghe asked, accepting the letter from Levi and reading over the words.
“Doubtful, Your Grace,” Mr. Braddock said, tilting his head toward Levi. “My arrival caused more difficulties in her new life.”
Roxburghe folded the missive in half and returned the page to Mr. Braddock. “I don’t think your sister sent this letter.”
“Which is the conclusion I reached as well.” Mr. Braddock shifted his attention to Levi. “Your Grace, I realize, with your title, that her offense is greatly magnified. However, I implore you to consider the motivation behind her deceit.”
“Thank you.” Levi inclined his head. “I will reflect on what you’ve shared.”
Mr. Braddock frowned and stood. “The reason I arranged matches for my sisters was to protect them from falling prey to gentlemen wolves. I fear I may have been unable to prevent Eveline from suffering through that experience.”
“What are you implying?” Levi growled, standing as well.
“Merely that your sudden departure this morning left quite a gloomy cloud over my sister’s residence.” Mr. Braddock’s fist clenched. “She cried.”
Silently, Roxburghe rose and moved beside Levi.
Mr. Braddock stepped to both of them and stabbed his pointer finger into Levi’s chest. “I know you took liberties with Eveline; don’t think your title will frighten me away from seeking restitution.”
Levi smacked away his hand. “Did Miss Braddock make the same claim?”
She could insist he’d duped her with false promises of marriage…
“She stated you acted as a gentleman in all your interactions with her. However,”—Mr. Braddock leaned closer and lowered his voice—“I can tell when Eveline is lying.”
Chest constricting, Levi jutted out his chin, feigning bravado. “If your sister has no grievance with me, neither do you. Good day, Mr. Braddock.”
Jamming his hat on his head, Mr. Braddock snapped his mouth shut, turned, and strode toward the exit.
“That was a bit harsh,” Roxburghe said as the man’s blond head vanished into the lobby.
“He accused me of having relations with Miss Braddock.”
“Did you?” asked Roxburgh, reclaiming his chair.
“I’ve never been introduced to a Miss Braddock,” Levi replied as he sat.
Roxburghe clucked his tongue. “A coward’s distinction.”
“Careful, Roxburghe,” Levi growled. “Friend or no, I’ll still trounce you in the middle of this club.”
Shoving his chair several inches backward, Roxburghe rose. “Before your sour mood ruins my day, I’m going to call upon my fiancée, her sister, and their friend, who apparently was seduced by a scoundrel.”
Several pairs of eyes followed Roxburghe across the floor.
Delightful. What horrific tale of gossip would be printed about the Duke of Lennox tomorrow?
Cursing under his breath, Levi stood and followed Roxburghe out of the gentlemen’s club. However, instead of instructing Mr. Spencer to take him to Miss Braddock’s house—which truly was the location he wished to be despite the overwhelming betrayal tearing through his heart—Levi requested to return to his lodgings.
