Page 35 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked softly.
“Papa… are you unwell?”
Ephraim shook his head. “Not unwell, my dear. I have not slept well. A good night’s rest is all I require.”
“We did not mean to disturb you, My Lord,” Jasper chimed in.
“You did not?” Ephraim quipped. “Then why were you arguing so close to my study door?”
Adelaide hardened her resolve. “There is a matter of great importance, which will not wait until morning.”
“Then, I suppose you ought to come in.” Ephraim sighed and disappeared back inside. Adelaide followed, with Jasper bringing up the rear.
The study itself was in disarray. Books and papers were strewn everywhere. Ephraim hurried to take several bound dossiers off the desk, only to shove them unceremoniously underneath it. Suspicion and confusion pricked up inside Adelaide’s chest.
What are you hiding, Papa? You have never hidden anything from me during my entire life.There was definitely something amiss here, but she could not put her finger on what it was. Regardless, she knew it was more than just a potential lie about some stolen letters.
“What seems to be the matter, my darling?” Ephraim asked, as Adelaide and Jasper sat down in two of the leather armchairs. He perched on the armrest of another.
“I happened to speak with the Duke of Bradford a short while ago,” Adelaide ventured uncertainly. “He was in discussion with Jasper when I encountered them, on my journey back from Miss Green’s abode. He told me that he sent word to you regarding my dowry and his intentions, and you did not respond.”
Ephraim’s face crumpled.
“Can you deny it?” Adelaide pressed, her voice desperate. “Please… please, tell me it is not true.”
He turned his face away. “I cannot, my dear.”
“What?” she choked. “Why?”
“Letters came. I did not read them. I have no way of knowing if they came from the Duke or not, as I have not reviewed their contents.” Ephraim sighed as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Inadvertently, he may be right.”
Adelaide could not speak.
“Your father has not been himself these past few days,” Jasper murmured. “I tried to tell you.”
“But… you told him you would arrange a meeting, to discuss the dowry,” Adelaide murmured. “You told him so. I was sitting in the room with you when you said it.”
Ephraim nodded slowly. “I know, my darling.”
“Those letters might have comforted me when the announcement did not appear,” she continued. “They might have assured me that all was not lost.”
“I know.”
“Were you aware that I visited the Dowager Duchess, to be sure that my fiancé had not abandoned me?” Her anger was growing, despite the sorrow she felt towards her father. “Did you know that I did that? That I went to her, to gauge whether I would have to face the humiliation of a broken engagement?”
Tears glittered in Ephraim’s eyes. “I didn’t know. I am sorry, my sweet Adelaide.” He dropped his gaze. “The letters were not addressed to you. If I had known what they contained, I would have done everything to reassure you.”
“He was right,” Adelaide gasped over a wracking sob. “I told myself it could not be possible… but he was right.”
“Forgive me, Adelaide,” Ephraim pleaded. “I pray that you may find it in your heart to forgive me.”
“Did you know about this?” Adelaide snapped her head in Jasper’s direction.
He shook his head. “I did not.”
“He is telling the truth. He did not know about the letters,” Ephraim confirmed. “You may not believe me, but I did intend to open the letters and respond in due course. The trouble was, there was something else I needed to do first—a few measures that needed to be implemented.”
“What measures?” Her eyes narrowed.
