Page 66 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
“Oh, Eliza, my dear friend,” Anna gushed once the onslaught of laughter had subsided, “I am so fortunate to have you. You have a remarkable gift for brightening even the dreariest of moments. Thank you for that more than welcome distraction.”
Eliza humbly acknowledged the appreciation with a warm expression. “It is my pleasure, my lady. Your happiness is my greatest reward.”
The two women shared a brief, but meaningful gaze, and somehow, Anna felt more reassured that things might, through some miracle of providence, end without the destruction of her life as she knew it. She remembered Alexander’s promise.
Trust me,he’d said. And she did… with all her heart.
***
“Are you sure that he will come?” Tom asked as the appointed hour was drawing near.
Alexander nodded, confidence brimming out of every pore of his being. Finally, they knew everything. He and Tom had spent the entire morning working tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the blackmail scheme orchestrated through Hatwells and McKee solicitors. Once Anna had revealed what she was happening on her end, Alexander knew he had to speak with the solicitor who had visited her.
Intimidating him was an easy feat. Whoever was willing to sell his morals was easily frightened into obedience with the mere mention of constables and prison. Before long, the man told Alexander and Tom everything he knew. All the missing pieces of the puzzle were finally starting to come into place. Now, Alexander was impatient, but he was reasonable enough to know that only those who acted in the right moment reaped their rewards.
“Of course he will, Tom,” Alexander assured him. “In the letter I sent him, I told him that everything was set, and that I needed him to sign the papers, making a large patch of land his very own. Basically, I told him that I have met all his conditions. How on earth would he not come to see the rewards of his blackmail?” Alexander smirked slyly. He could already feel the thrill of victory, but he knew better than to count his chickens before they hatched.
They exchanged a few more words, but everything had become crystal clear. Nothing needed any further explanation. In fact, Alexander silently scolded himself for not having put two and two together sooner. It was all obvious, staring him dead in the face, but he had been too blind to see. Fortunately, that was no longer the case. However, his word meant little. He needed confessions—and he was determined to get them that very afternoon.
A knock on the parlor door announced Anna’s arrival. She was ushered in by Reynolds, who quickly excused himself, leaving Anna, Alexander, and Tom alone. As soon as the door behind her closed, Alexander could see the apprehension in her eyes. She approached him.
“I… I have been consumed with thoughts about this meeting all morning,” she confessed instead of a greeting. Alexander noticed that Tom had bowed before her courteously, choosing to remain on the outskirts of this conversation, as he should.
Alexander regarded her with a reassuring gaze. “I know I must have worried you even more, and for that, I truly apologize. Tom and I have been out all morning, gathering all the information we needed.”
“What have you managed to discover?” Anna asked eagerly.
Alexander smiled. “My dear Anna, you have been patient for so long. May I ask for a bit more of your patience? You see, we are expecting someone who will shed light on the matter at hand. I promise you that all will be revealed in due time.”
He could see that Anna was intrigued as well as worried. He could also see fear in those beautiful eyes of hers. He wanted to divulge everything right then and there, but he would have no proof. No. They both had to be patient a bit longer.
“Who are we waiting for?” Anna inquired. “Sir Rupert?”
“Yes…” Alexander replied. “And no.”
Anna frowned in confusion. “How can it be yes and no at the same time?”
Alexander took Anna’s hand into his own. “Trust me. The pieces of this puzzle will fall into place soon. For now, allow me to guide you through this perplexing moment. All will be revealed, and I am here to ensure that the truth surfaces in a manner that befits your dignity.”
He wanted to tell her so much more, but all in due course. There would be plenty of time to reveal his feelings to her, but first, she had to know that she was safe, that no one would ever dare speak to her in a manner that the solicitor from Hatwells and McKee did, or Sir Rupert for that matter. She had him now, and he would protect her body, mind, and heart at the expense of his own life. That had become his very purpose and he wanted to prove it to her.
“Well…” Anna finally acquiesced. “All right then.”
“Might I call for some tea?” Tom inquired politely. It seemed like the most preposterous thing to offer, yet at the same time, it provided a semblance of normalcy. Both Alexander and Anna nodded at the same time, accepting this unexpected offer.
“Please.” Anna smiled a little weakly, but it was a smile, nonetheless.
However, before Tom could make good on his offer, another knock on the door interrupted them. This time, Reynolds appeared ushering none other than Sir Rupert Harland himself. Reynolds announced the man and hastily retreated, almost as if he knew the storm that was brewing within the confines of the duke’s parlor.
Sir Rupert entered with a self-satisfied smirk gracing his features. Alexander did not greet him first. In fact, he thought that, in light of everything he had come to learn, he would feel less furious and more calm, but instead, he could barely contain his rage. The tension in the room intensified. Alexander wished to delve into the matter slowly, but his plan was one thing, and the reality of the situation another.
“Ah, I see Lady Ravenscroft is here as well.” Sir Rupert bowed mockingly before her. Alexander wished to punch him in the gut solely for that, and then keep punching him for all the other malicious things he had said and done. It took all of his conscious effort to remain in one place and keep his hands to himself.
“I must say, I am glad to see that everyone here has decided to see sense and act upon it,” Sir Rupert continued, still erroneously believing that he had truly come simply to receive what he had so shamelessly demanded of the people present. In Alexander’s opinion, it was almost laughable. He took a moment to revel in that sense of victory before he decided to respond.
“Indeed,” Alexander replied, locking his hands behind his back as he spoke. “I must say, that is exactly what is happening here. People deciding to act on reason and not fear.”
“Splendid.” Sir Rupert grinned malevolently. “Now, the papers I have to sign?”
