Page 53 of Destined to be a Duchess
Warren has built a castle of lies. Every truth he spewed has turned out to be one more deception. Who can say that he was not lying about not knowing Doctor de Laurier as well? The physician refused to speak to me before. Was that silence bought? Could the marquess have bribed him?
With no other leads to follow, it was worth investigating for now. Anthony unclenched his fist around the damp cravat, tearing his eyes from the fire.
“It makes a difference to me,” he murmured. “I need to get to the bottom of this before any of us can move forward. And I hope that when all is said and done, you will understand.”
Catherine sighed. “For you, my darling, I will try.”
With a nod, Anthony looked towards the door. There was no use lingering, not when he had to start putting in motion his new plan. Now that his mother had confirmed his worst fears—that Warrenwasa liar, and it was not just Anthony’s imagination—he would be merciless in his pursuit of the truth.
Placing a hand on his mother’s shoulder, Anthony excused himself upstairs. He took the steps two-by-two until he reached the landing, not turning for his own room ...
But for Marianne’s instead.
His heart raced in his chest as he knocked on her door, unsurprised to find Miss Barclay on the other side. Marianne was sitting on the bed, folding her clothes. The sight of her was an immediate relief—but likely not for long.
“A moment?” Anthony asked, gesturing Marianne into the hallway.
Marianne nodded, placing the clothes beside her and joining him at the door. Leaving it ajar, she waited for him to explain with a curious little expression.
“You promised your help to me,” he whispered, glancing over his shoulder to ensure they were not heard. “And regretfully, I must ask you to make good on that offer.”
“So soon?” Marianne’s brow creased, but she looked up defiantly. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“You seem hesitant.” He smiled. It was impossible not to tease her, even now. “Are you planning to rescind your aid to me?”
“Your Grace, I am a woman of my word,” Marianne said with a grin. “But I must know what I am getting myself into. I have read one too many serials, and I will not satisfy myself merely being the damsel in distress.”
“The heroine then? Regardless, your reluctance may not be entirely underserved.” He looked down at his feet, forming the plan in his mind. “The details are unclear as of now, but one thing is certain. It is time I paid my own visit to Doctor De Laurier.”
Marianne scowled. “The last time he was here, he refused to speak with you.”
“Precisely.” Anthony winced. “Which is why he will not be speaking tome...”
Chapter 20
"Far be it from me to criticize your plan so early,” Marianne said from beside Anthony, waiting for the carriage to circle around, “but won’t Her Grace be suspicious when I return from our trip to town without knowing anything about the churches you’ve promised us to visit?”
Anthony smiled down at her. Their cover story had been believable enough. The rain had cleared four days after their return to Moorhaven Manor, and everyone was excited at the prospect of an outing. His mother had mentioned weeks ago that Marianne should familiarize herself with the history of her ancestral county. And where better to begin than the many churches in Norwich?
Naturally, Anthony had volunteered as chaperone. In the few days since their return, he and Marianne had been on their best behaviour, always maintaining a respectable distance. It had nearly killed him to feign indifference to her. His mother was still none the wiser about his transgression at Hagram Park. But she would not remain ignorant forever unless Anthony discovered something he could use against Warren quickly.
It was a shot in the dark, but he hoped the answer lay in Norwich with De Laurier. And while Anthony was terrified about what awaited them there, he and Marianne had both agreed they had no other choice.
“If you are desperate for enlightenment, we can still continue the tour on our way back from De Laurier’s offices,” he replied. “Or I could enlist Patrick to help me in your stead, and you and Miss Barclay can tour the city as was planned.”
“Don’t count me out so soon. I just need to know that you have as much faith in this plan as I do,” Marianne said dubiously.
Anthony hummed in thought. The planwassimple enough: send Marianne into De Laurier’s office pretending to be the wife of a minor gentleman. From there, she could search for something that would explain the secrecy surrounding Edward’s illness.
Anthony had sent a message to De Laurier, posing as her husband. And when a reply came back, the doctor had invited Marianne to his offices in Norwich rather than the vacant Westden cottage Anthony would use as their pretend address.
He hated the thought of using Marianne as bait. But he had his own part to play, too. If everything went to plan, she would never be put in harm’s way again.
“It is not the plan that concerns me so much as your involvement,” Anthony said, examining her. The collar of one of her old seamstress gowns—her disguise—peeked out from the neckline of her pelisse. “If there was another way ...”
“But there isn’t. Only you and I understand what is at stake.” She smiled reassuringly. “I’ll be fine, I promise. I learned to handle myself in Lambeth. It's only a pity I don’t get to see those churches ...” Marianne pretended to think, but Anthony saw right through her.
“I suppose an afternoon duping a doctor sounds a modicum more entertaining. Although I don’t relish the idea of Miss Barclay panicking when she realizes we have slipped the net. She takes her chaperoning very seriously, you know. Even though I’m sure Patrick will find ways to distract her.”
