Page 44 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
“Agnes is unwell?” The look on Alan’s face pleased her. He looked so torn apart, and she knew that there was hope still. Alan loved and cared for Agnes. No matter the lies he made himself believe, he was not ready to let go of her. That, was what pleased Isabelle.
“Yes, I am rest assured that the physicians will cure the physical ailment. Nonetheless, that which ails her heart may prove stubborn. ’Tis why this must be done.”
Alan’s head dropped and stayed that way for a while. Then he raised it and swept a hand through his hair. “She would have said something. I know Agnes. She would have sent a letter.”
It was Benjamin who responded. He cleared his throat, gaining everyone’s attention. His voice was calm as he spoke.
“I think we give the Duchess too little acknowledgement. We must bear in mind that there are no limits to the length she will go and act accordingly. We too must prove that we are wiser. As I see it, she is willing to make good on her threats. We must remain two steps ahead of her. I reckon it would be a foolhardy thought if we disregarded them and continued with our plans. It would be a shame if Alan lost his reputation. Redeeming the situation would prove much harder, than preventing it in the first place, to begin with.”
Isabelle nodded, and so did Regina and Alan. Surely, they saw reason in his words. Yet, she wondered about something. “How do you reckon we shall go about that? I suggest that we clear Alan’s name all together where my father is concerned and expose her deeds.” She could speak to her mother about this, but that would only incite Victoria to do more evil. When her mother had it in her head that she was simply doing what was best, there was no stopping her. The only person who could manage to accomplish that was her father. To do that, he needed genuine reasons, a sturdy ground on which to firmly plant his feet. Whatever they must do, they had to, before she entertained thoughts of discussing this with her mother. The best way to beat Victoria at this game was to make her believe that they were clueless, and she remained steps ahead.
“Leave that to me; I shall handle that matter. Before we proceed, I would like to affirm that Alan is still willing to carry on with this,” Benjamin answered.
They turned to look at Alan who nodded in affirmative, and Isabelle felt a wave of relief wash through her. As long as Alan remained willing, they would be fine. So she believed. Benjamin instantly took charge.
“Well, in that case, I want you to leave everything to me. If there is a place you can remain for the time being, I would suggest you go there. Victoria must have watchers at your house to see that you leave London as requested. Isabelle and I shall proceed with the plans. I will go about getting the special license discreetly, and Isabelle will work on informing Agnes of these preparations and getting her ready for the elopement. From now onwards, we shall act as your messengers. Victoria will never suspect a thing. Whatsoever correspondence you may wish to engage in will be delivered by us.” He looked at Isabelle, question in his eyes, and she instantly understood what he was asking. She gave a firm nod. Yes, she was all in. He gave her a small smile, the kind that she was beginning to learn he reserved only for her. It made her feel tingly inside of her, it made her breath catch in her throat.
She gave a small smile in return, but the moment came to an end too quickly. He looked away to address Alan again, and she too did the same before giving too much away. Could this have grown bigger than attraction?
“Alan, you mentioned that you took the records with you … do you by chance, have it here?”
“Yes. Here, you can have it.”
Benjamin collected the parchment but did not bother to flip through the pages. It warmed Isabelle’s heart to know that he had easily trusted Alan upon his word. Hers was a different case. She knew her mother, and she knew Alan. He was a good man, through and through.
“Do you mind if I keep this? Each press work is distinguishable, and I am certain that the Duchess would not have gone to so big a firm. Perhaps, one of these small scales. I shall hire a runner to investigate into the matter. If we can find out who helped the Duchess in this forgery, then we can get him to tell the truth and clear your name.”
“Goodness, Benjamin! That is brilliant!” Isabelle chimed. She had not thought of that, but this young Duke had. She gazed up at him in admiration for every word he had said in this meeting so far had been filled with wit. Her heart gladdened, aware that she had made the right choice. She could not have had someone better than Benjamin on her side; she knew that now.
“Brilliant indeed. I do believe that this will work. Quite an excellent suggestion, My Lord.” Regina’s eyes twinkled, and Isabelle knew that was the look she too had in her eyes.
“I agree with Mother. I must confess, I had not considered that option,” Alan too agreed.
“I am glad that I can be of any help. If we are all in agreement, I believe we can call this a fine meeting and bid one another, a good day?”
A murmur of agreement was the response he received, and they all rose to do just that. Isabelle noticed that Alan did not look so devastated any longer, and he was filled with gratitude as he shook Benjamin’s hands. Witherspoon remained gracious and modest, showing her more agreeable hues of this man. That remained the problem, did it not? She was drawn to Benjamin, even when he was being an arrogant sod and getting on her last patient nerve. She had come to care for everything about Benjamin Witherspoon and therein, laid her doom.
Chapter 29
Nicholas Stamford was pacing in Benjamin’s study when his best friend returned from wherever he had been. As soon as the young Duke entered the study, he halted and turned to address him.
“Ahh there you are! I had reckoned you would not be returning to your own home any longer. I have been here for almost an hour, and that’s not to mention that I dropped by as early as eight o’clock this morning. You were nowhere to be found. I had been informed that you had stepped out for a social call. To the Birmingham’s residence, for that matter! What is this I hear about you courting Isabelle?”
There was a small knowing smile on Benjamin’s face as he shrugged off his coat and loosened his cravat. Not saying a word in response, he walked over to his shelf where he kept his drinks and brought out a decanter containing whisky. Then he grabbed two mugs from the same shelf and filled both with the whisky.
“Isn’t it too early to get drunk?” Nicholas asked, the apprehension in his voice evident. He accepted his cup, nonetheless.
“We are not getting drunk, and you seem to be in great need of a strong drink, my friend. Good day to you too, by the way.”
Nicholas gave a rueful smile as he took a gulp of the drink. Benjamin was right; he did need it. He also felt ashamed for the way he had barraged his friend upon his return.
“Good day to you too, Benjamin. Thank you for this. You are right. I do need it.” He sighed as he went to recline on one of the sofas in the room. Worries plagued his mind, and he was done keeping these things to himself. Benjamin was his best friend, his brother. He could trust him to keep his secrets, could trust him to offer good counsel, and the heavens knew he had never needed that more than he needed it in this moment. However, before proceeding to the purpose of this visit, he could afford to make small talk.
Benjamin beat him to it. “How are you, dear friend?
He was a wreck. He had tried to keep to his word and leave Eleanor be, hearken to her pleas, but these past days had been nothing but hellish! Even as the wedding preparations continued in full swing, he wished every hour that there was some way out of this and things did not have to go as planned. It was so disheartening that he had been counting the days and hours since he last saw her. Whenever he called upon Agnes, with hope of getting a glimpse of Eleanor, he was never so lucky for she managed to stay hidden in her chambers all day long. She was doing stellar work at evading him, and it broke him more than he cared to admit. This was why he had decided that he had to stop wishing and do something. What manner of man was he if he could not fight for his heart’s desire? His father was beginning to recover, and beyond that, he simply wanted to see him married to a Birmingham. What difference did it make which Birmingham it was? Beyond that, he knew his parents cared for him and would that he had a happy marriage. If only he could garner the courage needed and let them know whom his heart truly desired. If only he could make them see how miserable he was, in fact, being away from Eleanor … mayhap, then, they would understand and let him go after his heart’s desire. Yet, he was aware of how quickly things could turn around and end up becoming a horrible disaster. In order not to act rashly and end up with nothing but regrets, he had come to Benjamin.
He drew in a deep breath and released it in long streams of air. “Dear friend, we shall get to how I am fairing in a bit. First, you must answer the question which I posed when you arrived. You are courting the Lady, Isabelle?”
