Page 40 of The Duke's Scandal
“I have every intention of giving her as much happiness as I can, should she accept,” Amos answered, aware that his feelings towards the lady were coming out in his words but caring nothing for that. “Thank you, Lord Granville.”
The gentleman nodded, and Amos quit the room, his head heavy with thoughts. Whatever had happened toLady Isobella, she bore the pain of it still. That was what held her back from accepting him, mayhap?
I must speak to her,he thought to himself, stepping out into his carriage.I must be entirely honest with her, I must express my heart and hope that she will be willing to do the same.
Chapter Nineteen
Isobella frowned, tracing her finger along the lines written in the book. She had been in the busy London library with the other bluestockings for some time, but until this moment, had found nothing whatsoever related to Lord Welton.
Now, however, a few lines had changed everything. Lifting her head, she looked about for the others, spying Lady Amelia standing closest to her.
“Amelia.” Beckoning to her friend, she waited until she drew nearer. “Look at this.”
Reading the few lines, Lady Amelia’s gasp made Isobella’s confidence rise. Shehad,then, found something of significance.
“A family agreement?” Lady Amelia said, lifting her gaze from the book. “This is an age-old agreement, however, is it not?”
“It does appear to be.” Isobella leaned closer to the book, screwing up her eyes just a little as she tried to read the words. “It appears to say that there should always be a familial connection between Welton and Hately… an agreement from of old between the two gentlemen bearing the titles at the time.” Her head lifted. “Lady Deborah’s father is the Marquess of Hatley, from what I remember.”
“And Lord Welton is an Earl,” Lady Amelia murmured, her gaze returned to the book again. “He, mayhap, has read of this supposed agreement and is now pursuing Lady Deborah. It would certainly improve his standing if he were to marry a Marquess’ daughter.”
“And yet, Lady Deborah has refused him.”
“Mayhap making him deeply upset at her refusal?” Isobella considered, aloud. “But that does not mean that he would do anything against Lady Clara, surely? Nor could I understand why he might whisper about the Duke.”
Isobella nodded slowly, her brow furrowing. “I cannot imagine why. His dislike of him was intense enough that he struck the Duke hard! I wonder if… ” Thinking quickly, her heart began to thud wildly as an idea came to her. Her breath hitching, she took Lady Amelia’s arm, holding it tightly. “What if Lord Welton saw the Duke as a threat?”
Lady Amelia’s eyes flew wide. “A threat to his pursuit of Lady Deborah?”
“Yes, that is what I mean.” Everything began to fall into place, leaving Isobella in a state of heightened anticipation as, finally, she saw a path ahead. “If Lord Welton believed that the Duke was pursuing Lady Deborahorthat Lady Deborah herself was interested in the Duke himself, then might he not have acted in a way to push all thought of the Duke from Lady Deborah?”
“By spreading rumors about him,” Lady Amelia said slowly, turning to look down at the book again. “He thinks that they have a connection, that theyoughtto marry because of this agreement. She rejects it, for it is much too old for her to take with any seriousness now, but LordWelton is determined. Pushing other gentlemen out of her path and out of her mind is his only course of action, and so, he begins to speak ill of the Duke.”
Isobella swallowed hard. “More than that,” she said, huskily, remembering the connection between Lord Welton and Lady Victoria. “He sets up a dark situation with Lady Clara and uses his cousin to have her believe that it was the Duke of Exeter.” A shudder ran down her frame. “Mayhaphewas the one who attacked Lady Clara.”
“Goodness.” Lady Amelia stared back at Isobella as each of them grappled with what they had only just begun to make sense of. “Then how do we prove it?”
“We must first speak to Lady Deborah,” Isobella said, her eagerness to have the Duke proven innocent growing fiercely. “If she confirms what we think, then I must tell everything to the Duke. It will be up to him what he does with it all.”
Lady Amelia nodded. “I will go and tell the others. When do you intend to speak to Lady Deborah?”
“This very afternoon, if I can,” Isobella said, picking up the book and reading the few lines again. “We are so close to the truth, Amelia. I amsureof it.”
“Forgive me for coming directly to the point – and for such a blunt question – but I must ask you something.” Isobella, who had managed to find Lady Deborah without too much difficulty amongst the crowd of gentlemen and ladies at the fashionable hour, looked straight into the young lady’s eyes. “Is Lord Welton pursuing you?”
“Lord Welton?” A flush began to creep up Lady Deborah’s neck, rising into her cheeks. “I am sorry to hear that such a rumor has been making its way around London.” Shelifted her chin. “I am sorry to inform you that there is no connection whatsoever between myself and Lord Welton.”
“Do not be sorry,” Lady Amelia said, with a small smile. “Thank you for being so honest with us, Lady Deborah. We ask only because – ”
“Because of what you witnessed, I am sure,” Lady Deborah interrupted, looking at Isobella. “I was heartily ashamed of him for doing such a thing. There was no need for him to treat the Duke as he did. To hit him with such force was nothing short of disgraceful, and I am surprised the Duke did not call him out.”
Isobella hesitated, wondering if she should press Lady Deborah further on that particular subject, choosing, in the end, to do so. “Lord Preston informed me that Lord Welton did so because he – the Duke, that is – had been maligning you and therefore, he felt bound to come to your defense.”
Lady Deborah closed her eyes and shook her head. “That is not true in the least, I am afraid. You must also be aware that it is a lie, Lady Isobella.” She opened her eyes as Isobella nodded. “I am sorry that you heard Lord Welton speak to the Duke as you did. I am not certain what to make of it all, for I cannot be sure that Lady Clara is telling the truth. I think she is speaking of what she believes to be the truth but that she cannot be entirely sure.”
This was more than Isobella had been expecting and, seeing Lady Amelia’s hopeful smile, pressed on. “Why is it that Lord Welton wishes to be so close to you, might I ask? He is seeking to pursue you, I think, but you are not inclined towards him.”
“No, I am not.” Lady Deborah sighed and looked away. “There is some old family agreement, evidently. Lord Welton discovered it quite recently and, since then, has been determined to marry me. My father has seen theagreement but says it does not carry any weight, for it was so long ago and without any legal binding that it need not affect us now.”
