Page 58 of The Wicked Duke's Convenient Bride
“A pleasure,” Lady Haywood said, clasping her hands in her lap.
“Likewise,” Matthew’s mother said, her tone clipped.
Lady Haywood took a deep breath. “I feel as though I owe you an apology, Your Grace, but I first want to assure you that I had not the faintest idea of what Rosemary had done. I am not sure if you are aware, but I spend most of my time in the country since my husband died. I was only in Bath because my health has become somewhat poor of late; I had hoped to benefit from the spas.”
Matthew frowned, uncertain if he believed her. He had no concrete reason to doubt this woman’s word, but it was difficult to believe anyone after what Rosemary had done to him.
“Can you tell us what you did know?” Matthew’s mother asked gently. “Or what you thought you knew?”
Lady Haywood nodded. “Rosemary told me that her husband had decided to journey to the Americas to check some of his business investments. Before then, I had never spoken to Rosemary. I knew of her, of course, but her mother and I were not affectionate with one another. After my husband’s death, I spent most of my time enjoying the solitude of the country, estranged from my relatives.”
“So, you did not know who Rosemary was wed to,” Matthew surmised.
“Indeed,” Lady Haywood said. “And besides, why would she lie about something like that? I had no reason to distrust her. She told me that she intended to journey with her husband and asked if I would be willing to raise her daughter while they were abroad. She told me that it was her husband’s wish that Elaine be raised in the countryside, and she felt that having a child around might be good for me.”
“And you have raised my daughter all these years,” Matthew said.
Lady Haywood nodded. “I received letters from you both, thanking me for looking after Elaine.”
“Letters?” Matthew asked.
“From him?” his mother added.
“Yes,” Lady Haywood replied. “After reading His Grace’s letter, I thought to bring them with me.”
She reached into the folds of her gown and produced a small bundle of letters. Matthew unfolded one, his eyes darting to the signature. It was his name and even a close copy of his own handwriting, but he had never penned the missive. “A forgery,” he said, furrowing his brow.
Had Rosemary written these, also? It seemed as though she had thought of everything with this scheme. “How bizarre,” Matthew’s mother said.
“So you see,” Lady Haywood said, her voice shaking, “I have raised Elaine as I thought you wanted for these many years while I thought you were in the Americas.”
He found that he believed her.
“And I do not wish to take her away from you,” Matthew said, “and from the only life she has ever known. Of course, I would like to see her, but we can make arrangements for that. I will provide everything you both need.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Lady Haywood said. “You are welcome to join us in Bath if you prefer, or I can bring Elaine to you in London. I would have brought her with me, but she was visiting a friend when I received your letter. I made all haste to London.”
“That was thoughtful of you,” Matthew said. “I appreciate a difficulty that can be quickly resolved.”
The door to the study burst open, and Miriam opened it so forcefully that it slammed against the wall. “How could you do this?” Miriam asked.
Matthew arched an eyebrow. “Do what?” he asked.
Miriam’s eyes passed only fleetingly over the startled Lady Haywood. “Why are you letting Tabitha leave?
“Colin said that she is preparing to leave for the country this very evening! She is buying some supplies with her friend Bridgette and then going to the country. I do not know how long, but she believes you will choose your love for Rosemary over her! I know that Rosemary has betrayed you, but even if you have decided you no longer wish to be wed at all, you must tell Tabitha!”
“How do you know this?” Matthew asked.
“Who is Colin?” their mother enquired.
“A … a jockey,” Miriam replied, her cheeks growing pink.
“And why does a jockey have this information?” Matthew asked. “Why would he share it with you?”
“Because it involves my family,” Miriam said quickly.
“And he just felt the need ...” Matthew trailed off, certain that his sister was not saying something.
