Page 63 of The Duke's Hidden Scandal
Lord Wentworth frowned. “I am well aware the engagement is off,” he said angrily. “The audacity of the man to even think he was worthy ofmy daughter.”
Colin paused, a lance of pain slicing through him at that news.Lady Wentworth was engaged to Lord Kilby?He had never been happier than in that moment that he had chosen to act swiftly.
He continued on, determined to push through his own fears.
“My Lord, you and my father were acquainted, were you not?”
Lord Wentworth’s eyes sharpened as he looked at him, and his brow lowered even further.
“Yes. For our part,” he cleared his throat. “But we were not friends, you understand. An old wound never truly healed.”
Colin drew the letter from his pocket and handed it to Lord Wentworth.
“During my investigation, I found this letter in my father’s effects. It is addressed to you, but it was unfinished. I believe he wished to reconcile at the end of his life, my Lord. And althoughit may be within your rights to overlook it, he felt remorse for his actions in the House of Lords and regret at how you parted.”
Lord Wentworth looked at the letter, his eyes widening as he skimmed over the words before putting it in his pocket.
Colin sighed. “Perhaps if he had been able to send it, things today could have been prevented. Alas, he died before he was able to.”
Lord Wentworth’s bushy eyebrows rose, and a kindness came over his face that Colin had rarely seen.
“You have my thanks, your Grace. I... came to regret my disagreement with your father. It all seems so trivial now. I wish I had known what he was experiencing in the last few months of his life. Lord Kilby should be on trial for murder; I have no doubt his actions affected your father’s ill health.”
Colin inclined in head and then steeled himself for his final revelation.
“My Lord, there is something else I wish to discuss with you.”
Lord Wentworth’s weary eyes met his, and he raised his eyebrows. “And what is that?”
Colin paused and then threw caution to the winds. “I am in love with your daughter, my Lord.”
Lord Wentworth stared at him, his mouth slack. “With my Charlotte?”
“Yes. I have come to know her since she returned to society, and I believe no other woman is equal to her in beauty or temperament. She is a shining light when I have been in the depths of despair for a long while. I never expected to find someone who I could truly care for, but I have found it in your daughter. I know that she had been promised to Kilby—”
“Damn the man,” Lord Wentworth said venomously and shocked Colin to his core by gripping his hand more fervently. “I had no idea, your Grace; I admit it freely. I told her you hadno intentions toward her. I should not have assumed anything. I confess I was blinded by Lord Kilby’s charm and his obvious affection for my daughter. Your actions today have proved you to be an intelligent and sensible man. I could not ask for anything more for her, and I know she cares for you.”
It was Colin’s turn to stare in disbelief. It was clear that Lord Wentworth was relieved by the revelation, but he had not expected such a rapid turnabout. He eyed the marquess, suspecting that there may be more at play here than he realized, but that was of no matter to him now.
All that matters is Charlotte.
He was filled with excitement at the chance to go to her and finally tell her the truth of how he felt.
Lord Wentworth’s smile was warm. “Go on then, Your Grace. I imagine she is waiting for you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Charlotte paced the drawing room, her mother’s journal clutched to her chest. Elizabeth had left only a few minutes before, telling her that she would send word if there was any news.
Charlotte’s mind was whirling with possibilities about what might be being discussed at the meeting. Apparently, both Lord Kilby and her father had been invited.
What does that mean? What could the duke possibly want with both of them?
She had found solace in her mother’s journal that morning, reading over the earlier passages and absorbing her mother’s words like a lifeline. Charlotte hoped that her mother had found happiness in some form after she had married her father and that, in her way, she had been content.
Charlotte stopped pacing as the door opened. She expected to see her father enter the room, desperate to know what had taken place, but instead, it was Waltham standing before her.
“The Duke of Lindenbrook has arrived to see you, Lady Wentworth. Shall I show him in?”
