Page 26 of The Duke's Scandal
Lord Galbraith nodded, watching him from where he sat, one hand playing about his mouth as if he did not want to say what he had to. “I am afraid so.”
“But how can that be?” Amos asked, stopping sharply and turning to look at his brother-in-law. “I did nothing wrong! I spoke with the lady, but did notoncego near her. Nor did I advance upon her! Why should she say such a thing?”
With a sigh, Lord Galbraith lifted his shoulders. “Mistaken identity, mayhap? That is the only thing I can think.”
“It seems very strange to me that she would think to blame me when I was not anywhere near her,” Amosprotested, beginning to pace again. “This is truly dreadful! Whatever am I to do?”
When he turned to look at Lord Galbraith, the hesitancy on the man’s face gave him pause. With a heaviness in his soul, Amos paused in his pacing for the second time and turned to face him. “What else is there?”
“I have heard a rumor or two,” Lord Galbraith told him, his words stumbling over each other just a little. “I do not know why this is being said or where it comes from, but stories are being spread through theton. I say stories because they are entirely fictional!”
“What is being said?”
Lord Galbraith let out a hiss through his teeth, then looked away. “I heard these two things only last evening,” he said, not turning his gaze back towards Amos. “The first is that you are seeking a bride, but that she must have a vast dowry.”
“Dowry?” Amos repeated, a little confused. “Why should I need such a thing?”
“Because you are supposedly quite without funds,” Lord Galbraith told him, his eyebrows sitting low over his eyes, shadows dancing in his gaze. “You are impoverished, or so thetonhave been told.”
Amos closed his eyes, then pinched the bridge of his nose.
“You are, evidently, a gambler without restraint. You have lost a great deal of your wealth to the card tableandhave spent your coin in establishments that are a little less than reputable.”
Horror struck, Amos sat down heavily, his whole being feeling heavy with the shock of what he had been told.
“This was only whispered about last evening, from what I can tell,” Lord Galbraith finished,sounding apologetic as though he regretted having to be truthful on such a weighty matter as this. “I do not know where such a story has come from, and I certainly have not heard it before. I am sorry to have to tell you such a thing, my friend.”
Closing his eyes, Amos dropped his head forward, his chin on his chest. “Goodness. I do not know what to do.”
The silence that came from Lord Galbraith told Amos that his brother-in-law did not know what to advise either. Steadying his breathing, Amos kept his eyes shut as he clasped his hands in front of him, trying to ascertain what he ought to do next.
“I am sorry,” Lord Galbraith said again as if somehow this was his doing. “I know that none of what has been said of you is true, but thetonwill cling to it, I am afraid.”
“I – I will be ruined.”
Lord Galbraith shut his eyes. “Your reputation may be stained, yes.”
“More than that!” Panic gripped him. “This stain will spread through London, it will touch everyone that is connected with me!” Shoving both hands through his hair, he squeezed his eyes closed until they were almost painful. “My sister… my mother – even you, Galbraith.”
His brother-in-law sighed. “Thetonare relentless.”
“I must fight this.” Opening his eyes, he looked straight back at Lord Galbraith, his breathing uneven. “I cannot have them think such dreadful things of me!”
Lord Galbraith spread out his hands. “What can you do? You could speak to Lady Clara, but I doubt she will have much to say to you.” His eyebrows lifted. “There may even be whispers of matrimony if you are not careful.”
Fear tore through Amos. “I cannot marry her.”
“I am not saying you will have to, but youmustbe cautious, my friend.”
Swallowing at the ache in his throat, Amos tried to think clearly. In a single instant, his life had been darkened by shadows, threats pulling in towards him. He had done nothing wrong and yet, for some unbeknownst reason, falsehoods were being whispered about him.
And what will Lady Isobella think of me?
Her face swam in front of his closed eyes, and he caught his breath, a sudden realization of what his connection to Lady Isobella might now look like, once she heard of the rumors. Would she believe them? Would she turn away from him? As yet, he had not managed to discuss with her his desire to come to take tea but mayhap that was all nothing but smoke now!
His head lifted. “I must speak with her.”
“With whom?” Lord Galbraith frowned. “Lady Clara?”
