Page 88 of The Wise Daughter
I’ve discovered something important, but these things can’t be rushed. I require another thousand pounds…
On to the next letter.
I believe I’ve finally gathered enough evidence. I can now prove your relation to the duke, but I cannot provide a strong enough case that you should be considered a legitimate heir until I receive another payment.
With each letter, her heart raced faster. If she was correct, Carver was trying to prove he was in line to inherit. He was paying someone to gather evidence. She had always known that the mysteries surrounding the duke had to extend beyond common thieving.
The next letter was dated only a few days ago. It was the longest yet, mostly full of threats and demands for money, but two small paragraphs made several pieces of the thieving puzzle click together.
No more excuses. So what if it takes time to sell all the things you’ve acquired? You’ll have all the wealth you need soon enough. You knew from the beginning that my silence comes at a cost. I’ll give you everything you need. When you inherit an entire dukedom, it’s only fair I have everything I need.
A last word of warning. If you don’t remove that little chit soon, I will. It’s too late to give in to silly scruples. Our business will be much simpler if we don’t have another person with a marriage settlement to deal with. As soon as she’s gone and you have the money, we’ll rid ourselves of the duke and take our places in society.
Nora dropped the letter and stood but instantly had to sit back down. Every inch of her trembled. As she tried to stand again, she leaned against the chair and took several shallow breaths. It was one thing to hold suspicions in her thoughts, but to see the words spelled out so clearly on paper was quite another. They were going to kill Aaron.Carverwas going to kill Aaron.
She had to return to the castle and warn him, regardless of how he felt about her. Now that she was gone, Carver could move forward with his plans. There was no time to waste.
As she made her way to the stairs, leaning against the wall for support, she heard her father call.
“Nora! Come down and greet our guests.”
Guests?Impossible.The word didn’t make sense. No one was coming to visit at this late hour. Unless Carver was already at their door. In a wild rush, Nora raced down the remaining stairs, catching her fumbling steps with the banister to keep from falling. What would she do if it were Carver? How could she protect herself and her father from his malicious intentions?
But when she reached the stairs, it was not Carver standing in the vestibule.
Nora blinked several times to make sure she was not merely seeing things, especially since she had seen the portrait of this woman in her younger days only minutes earlier. Nora attempted a curtsey but had to grab the chair in front of her to keep from falling to the floor.
“Mrs. Westlake?”
“Nora!” Her father took her arm.
“Miss Lacy, you are unwell!” The stately woman rushed forward, took Nora’s other arm, and, with the help of her father, guided Nora to the sofa where they all sat.
“You’re right. I am not well,” she breathed out, “but I cannot stay.”
“Goodness, Nora,” her father said, looking embarrassed before their old neighbor. “Are you certain the matter is so dire? Can it not wait at least for a cup of tea?”
At the risk of being a miserable hostess, Nora shook her head. “Not at all. I have to warn Aaron. I think he’s in danger.”
She was about to apologize to Mrs. Westlake, who had gone terribly pale, until the woman stepped forward and seized Nora’s arm.
“Take me to him. My carriage is ready. Wherever you need to go. If my son is in danger, let us help him at once.”
Nora’s heart nearly stopped. She didn’t have room for new revelations, but here was another staring her in the face. This woman she had known most of her life… had she heard her correctly?
“Forgive me, Mrs. Westlake. Did you sayyour son?”
Chapter 32
Aaron sank lower into his chair and covered his face, no longer caring whether he maintained his composure when Carver entered.
“Has something happened, Your Grace? I was told Miss Lacy and her father left.”
The words stung his ears, though he already knew their truth.
“I cannot marry her, Carver. I’ve just learned she has been deceiving me.” Aaron stayed silent for several minutes, rubbing his face just to feel something besides the ever-tightening knot in his chest.
A heavy hand gradually descended on his back, Carver’s attempt to be comforting. “This is not your fault, Your Grace. You’ve been in mourning. Your judgment was clouded when you entered into the engagement, just as I warned you. This will be difficult for a time, but the way ahead is clear.”
