Page 4 of Duke of Silver
“You’re simply doing the honorable thing,” Alexander said, laying a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Let me escort you back to your lodgings.”
“I can manage that,” Colin interjected. “My carriage followed us back. I’ll see him home.”
Alexander glanced at Percy, who seemed content with the arrangement, before nodding. “Very well. I shall collect you in the morning so we may call upon the Earl.”
“Will you allow me to have breakfast first?” Percy asked, his voice still groggy.
“Of course,” Alexander replied with a faint smile. “We’ll break our fast together.”
Percy gave a small nod before following Colin to the door. As he reached the threshold, he turned back, his expression softening. “Good night, brother. And I apologize for the trouble I caused tonight.”
“You’ve chosen to take responsibility—that is all that matters,” Alexander said, dismissing the apology with a wave of his hand.
After their departure, Alexander sank into his chair, the weight of the evening pressing down upon him. He had no illusions that the Earl of Dowshire would be anything less than agitated when they called upon him tomorrow. With a sigh, Alexander reached for a sheet of parchment and began to draft a letter, informing the Earl of their intentions to arrive in the morning. He hoped that by extending this courtesy, he might alleviate some of the Earl’s anxieties over the scandal that had already begun to unfurl.
CHAPTER 2
“Ipromise, nothing happened, Uncle,” Lady Elizabeth Sutton breathed, her voice trembling as she hurried after her uncle, the Earl of Dowshire, into his study. Her heart pounded fiercely in her chest, the shock of the evening still clouding her thoughts.
The ball had descended into disaster, and now she found herself teetering on the brink of ruin. It scarcely seemed real, yet here she was—accused of being compromised, her reputation tarnished beyond repair. And all through no fault of her own.
“I simply wished for a moment of peace, some solitude in the powder room,” she continued, her hands clenching as she recounted the wretched series of events. “That is where he found me—drunk, incoherent. I did not know what he intended, and when I attempted to leave, he stumbled, fell, and pulled me down with him.” Her voice faltered, the memory of Percy Hunton’s weight crashing against her still fresh, still mortifying.
Her breath caught as the scene replayed in her mind: Percy, lost to his inebriation, collapsing upon her, sending them both sprawling to the floor. And that was how they had been found—herself struggling to free herself from his grip, their positions horribly misinterpreted by the bystanders.
“I believe you, child,” her uncle, Sebastian Sutton, said gently. His tone was soothing, though the worry in his eyes betrayed his true concern.
“But society may not be as understanding,” Aunt Petunia added, sighing deeply as she sat beside the fire, her fingers clasped tightly around her embroidery. Her voice held a weight of resignation, knowing full well how swiftly rumors spread in their circles.
Petunia had come to London to serve as their chaperone for the Season, a duty she accepted but did not relish. Now, the grim reality of the situation had settled over her like a dark cloud.
“Percy Hunton is well known as a rake,” Anna, her cousin, added, her expression grave. “His reputation will only complicate matters.”
Elizabeth winced at her cousin’s words. She had heard of Percy’s reputation, of course, but had never imagined being entangled in one of his indiscretions. And now, it washerreputation that stood at the precipice.
“Is everything quite alright?” A soft voice broke through the tension.
Elizabeth turned to see her younger sister, Margaret, standing in the doorway. Margaret’s wide eyes were filled with concern, her delicate features mirroring the worry that gripped Elizabeth’s heart.
The weight of the scandal pressed down upon her like a crushing blow. This was not merely her own reputation at stake. Margaret was set to debut next Season, and Anna’s prospects hung in the balance as well. The scandal would taint them all, and the consequences could be devastating.
“Oh, what have I done?” Elizabeth whispered, sinking into the nearest chair, her composure shattering as tears welled up in her eyes. She could no longer hold them back. The warmth of her tears spilled over, tracing hot lines down her cheeks.
“Do not fault yourself for society’s absurd expectations,” Anna said gently, sitting beside her and placing a hand on her arm. “None of this is your doing.”
“Are you unwell, Lizzy?” Margaret’s voice quivered with worry.
“All will be well, Margaret dear,” Petunia said softly, though her voice lacked its usual certainty. “Why don’t you fetch some tea for your sister? She needs it.”
Margaret lingered, clearly confused by the tension in the room, but finally nodded and left at their aunt’s suggestion.
“I swear, nothing improper occurred,” Elizabeth choked out once more, her voice thick with emotion. She felt Aunt Petunia’s hand press softly upon her shoulder, offering what comfort she could.
“We know, dear,” came the quiet voices of her family.
Elizabeth looked up at them through a haze of tears, her heart pounding with dread. “Do you not see what this means?” she asked, her voice rising as desperation crept in. “I have ruined us. My thoughtlessness has brought disgrace upon us all.”
She searched their faces, hoping to find some shared outrage, something that matched the turmoil within her. But they remained steadfastly calm, their understanding gazes only deepening her sense of isolation.
