Page 64 of The Duke's Hidden Scandal
Charlotte looked about her to ensure she was not dreaming. The world outside was gray, the clouds having gathered throughout the morning and the rain was falling gently against the windowpane. Everything looked just as it should.
But how is the duke here?
“Yes,” she whispered. “Please show him in.”
She placed the journal on the mantelpiece, noting her pale cheeks in the reflection in the mirror, pinching them to give herself some colour. She was brushing down her skirts and ensuring that she looked as well as she could when a figure appeared at the door.
Charlotte stared at him in disbelief.
Their eyes met across the room, and everything else fell away. She no longer cared about Lord Kilby or what her future might hold—this man had to be her future. Somehow, he already was.
For a long while, neither of them spoke, the air charged with feelings that neither of them could express. Then, that gentle thread, fine as gossamer, pulled them together in a way that Charlotte could neither refuse nor deny.
They moved toward one another, and without a word, the duke took her hands in his, the feel of them firm and filled with promise. But after a few seconds only, the duke appeared to recover himself and pulled them gently free again, although he did not step away from her.
“Lady Wentworth, I have some news that I must impart to you.”
Charlotte nodded, hoping that whatever he would say could shed some light on why he was here, and give credence to the hope in her heart.
“Lord Kilby has been arrested.”
Charlotte stilled, her heart pounding an alarming rhythm in her chest as she absorbed those words.
“I beg your pardon, your Grace?”
The duke’s eyes were dark and uncertain as he examined her face, his mouth set in a grim line.
“Your father has informed me that you were betrothed to him. I felt it my duty to come here to tell you of it in person, for it was by my hand that his reputation has been dashed to pieces.”
Charlotte’s heart sank slowly to the floor. The duke had only come here to explain what had happened with Kilby—nothing more.
“What happened?” she asked.
The duke held out his arm and they both moved to a chair. The room was strangely silent, the bustle of the streets muted somehow. Charlotte listened to the crackle of the fire and the distant clinking of cutlery in the servant's quarters.
As they sat down together, Charlotte was reminded of their time in the literary salon. They had conversed for so long about their shared interests, and she realized it was in that moment where she had begun to truly care for him.
The duke’s handsome profile faced the floor as he took in a deep breath, seemingly to gather himself for the conversation to come.
Even if we have no future together, I am at least free of Kilby,Charlotte thought with intense relief.
The duke finally looked up and met her gaze.
“Lord Kilby has been arrested upon suspicion of blackmail, Lady Wentworth. I have been investigating his business dealings for some time, and I have found evidence that Lord Kilby has been extorting money from my father for many months, right up until his death.”
“Oh, your Grace, that is terrible.”
He bowed his head, his eyes sad. “I am sorry that the man you thought you were promised to is such a simpleton.”
His eyes were sad and filled with yearning, and Charlotte could stand it no more. Even if she had her heart broken for exposing her feelings, she had to tell him the truth.
“I am grateful for you telling me, Your Grace. But this news is not painful to me. As much as I am very sorry for what happened with your father, my only feelings about Kilby’s arrest are relief. I have never cared for him. The match was arranged by my father, and I had no say in the matter.”
The duke’s eyes never left hers as she spoke, searching her face in confusion.
“You did not care for him at all?” he whispered.
“Never,” she replied. “Indeed, I always thought there was something strange about him. The first time I was introduced to him, it was as though he was not being his true self. I cannot explain it, but clearly, there was far more to his character than I knew.”
