Page 76 of A Lady's Heart Deceived
“Lady Dinah Gibney and I decided that we didn’t suit. And rather than marry and be miserable, we made the choice to remain friends. Why we haven’t made this public is because it is no one else’s business. And also, because there is another lady in my life. She is the woman I plan to make my wife.”
The duke raised his head and met Piers’s gaze. There was an unspoken threat in his eyes, one which silently cautioned Piers against being reckless enough to attempt to lie to him. “Who?”
“Miss Margaret Radley. Her father is Lord Hugh Radley, the Bishop of London. Her uncle—”
“Yes, I know the family,” snapped the duke.
“Rather convenient,” mumbled the major.
“But compelling. As is this . . .” The duke produced a letter from his pile of papers and held it up.
An odd mixture of fear and hope coursed through Piers’s veins. Could this be his salvation?
“This letter was received by my brother, the Prince Regent’s personal secretary, some ten months ago, along with two other subsequent missives. All of which I am led to believe were delivered to the Horse Guards. More specifically to you, Major Hall. Though why they were not forwarded onto me, I am yet to understand.” The duke spread the letter and several others out across the top of the desk, then pointed to them one by one. “Letters from both the King of the Netherlands, and the Prince of Orange. This one from King Willem specifically mentions Captain Denford and offers his deep gratitude for his assistance in helping save the life of his son.”
Piers swallowed deeply. Somehow, the letters had finally found their way to the Commander-in-Chief.
“How did you come by those?” asked Major Hall, his voice icy with anger.
The duke glared at him. “You mean these documents which were anonymously delivered to my home late last night? Who knows how they found their way fromyourlocked desk drawer and into my hands? And to be blunt about it, I don’t bloody well care. All that matters is that they have finally reached their destination. No, thanks to you, Major Hall.”
Piers could only imagine what had transpired last night. While the major was at home, someone had broken into his office and taken the letters. That someone had then made a late-night visit to the Duke of York and Albany.
Tension simmered in the room, but he paid it little mind. The truth of his actions during the battle had finally seen the light of day. Pride and stubborn minds could do what they wished.
“Major Hall, I would suggest that we are doing Captain Denford a grave disservice by holding him in the army. By keeping him from both his potential bride and his future role as Viscount Denford. Wouldn’t you agree?” said the duke.
The major closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. His shoulders slumped in defeat.
Not the outcome you had been hoping for, you dirty cad. Where is your honor now?
“I beg your pardon. I didn’t quite catch that,” the duke added.
“Yes, Your Highness. I think it best that Captain Denford be relieved of his duties.”
Fearing his knees may buckle from under him, Piers dropped onto his chair.
“I have decided that the only way justice can be served to the captain is for him to be given an honorable discharge and also granted the letter of commendation which the King of the Netherlands personally requested,” said the duke.
What?
“The Prince of Wales and I have concurred about the need for both the discharge and the commendation. My brother was most insistent about the matter when I spoke to him late last night. The subject of your dispatch note from the Battle of Waterloo was also discussed. I would strongly recommend that you, Major Hall, consider correcting your report, as I am sure that it was purely an oversight for you to write incompetent next to Captain Denford’s name.”
The duke reached into his jacket pocket and produced a folded-up note, waving it at the major. “This should do. You just need to change a couple of words and initial the document. I expect to see the amended entry delivered to my secretary before the day is out.”
I can’t believe this is happening.
Piers waited patiently, praying that Major Hall wouldn’t do or say anything foolish. To his relief, his nemesis simply rose from his chair and took the note. He examined it, huffed in obvious disgust, then nodded. “I understand, Your Highness. The amended note will be with your private secretary this afternoon.”
Pity your resignation won’t be with it.
The Commander-in-Chief hadn’t requested the major give up his commission and Piers had his suspicions as to why. The British army needed hard men like Major Hall. What they didn’t need was Piers Denford.
Thank God.
He had what he wanted. A way out of the army. Any thoughts of revenge or confronting the major were immediately swept aside. Like Maggie, he, too, had to put the past behind him and move on.
The Duke of York and Albany closed up the file and got to his feet. Piers quickly stood to attention.
