Page 80 of The Duke and the Wrong Bride

“I’m pleased to hear about your mood,” Henry said plainly. “I’d hate for you to be having a bad day.”

“The day is what we make of it, Cousin.” Graham turned around and beamed, looking so very pleased with himself. “And I like to make each count. As you well know.”

“You’ve always been industrious.”

“That I have been.”

“Please…” Henry indicated the seat across from him. “What we must discuss will only take a moment, but I think it’s best if you’re seated.”

“Very serious.” Graham laughed as he took the seat. “I hope I’m not in trouble.”

“Is there any reason you should be?”

“It’s just an expression, Your Grace.” He tried for an awkward chuckle, seeming to now sense Henry’s less-than-hospitable mood.

“It’s been a long day.”

“A drink, then?” Graham looked about the room for something to drink.

“No,” Henry said. He fixed Graham with a cold glare, one that seemed to freeze the fire as if a blizzard had just blown through the room. “I don’t think this is a conversation that warrants it.”

Graham cocked his head and frowned. Sensing the shift in mood, he tried for a disarming chuckle that died down. “Henry… is everything all right?”

What a question. What a time for it. Yesterday, when Henry had been deciding what he was going to do about Graham’s transgression, there was a part of him that considered showing mercy. Graham was his cousin, after all, and Henry knew that his actions were driven by jealousy rather than pure malice. If Graham apologized and begged for forgiveness, maybe he would show leniency. Maybe…

But that was yesterday, and this was now. What had just happened with Charlotte was only just starting to hit Henry, and naturally, it was anger that he felt. She thought she could just leave him? And she thought that he would care? As if it was some sort of punishment?! Did she even know who it was that she was dealing with? Henry the womanizer. Henry the rake. Henry who married her for convenience and nothing more!

“I know what you did,” Henry growled at Graham. “I know everything.”

Graham leaned back and frowned. “Know what I did? What on earth are you talking about?”

“This past week,” Henry continued, fixing his cousin with a no-nonsense glare, “I paid a visit to my estates in the north. After speaking with my solicitor, he suggested that I speak with my tenants personally so that I might convince them in person that the rumors they had heard about me were unfounded.”

“And did you?” Graham asked, feigning a lack of concern.

“I did,” Henry said with a half-smile. “I’m pleased to say that following several long discussions, everything is back on track. I gave them my assurances that they have nothing to fear, and as a result, their overdue fees are paid, and those who were planning on leaving have decided to stay.”

“Good to hear,” Graham said, still pretending that this concerned him little.

“Of course, that was only half the problem,” Henry continued. “The rumors were my real concern. I thought at first that they might have begun before I married—you as well as anybody know of my past.” He looked at his cousin, who nodded in agreement. “But as things turned out, most of them started recently.Werestarted recently. Purposefully, in fact. Someone has been trying to undermine me.”

“And why would someone want that?” Graham swallowed noticeably, shifting slightly in his chair. He must have known what was coming but was refusing to own up to it.

“That’s a good question.”

Henry paused and waited. Watched Graham closely, meeting his eyes in a way that must have told Graham where this was going. He wanted Graham to admit what he had done, to show some sense of guilt. A simple apology, and again, there was a chance that Henry might go easy on him.

But as was Graham’s way, he gave Henry nothing.

“I know, Graham.” Henry sighed. “I know everything.”

“You know everything?’ Graham chuckled nervously. “Whatever do you mean?”

“It was you,” Henry said simply, feeling the anger boiling but keeping it under control. “You’re the one who started the rumors. You’re the one who convinced my tenants to leave me and stop paying rent. You’re the one who was hoping to undermine me—to see the value of my land drop, so you might buy it out from under me. You’re the one who?—”

“You’re being ridiculous,” Graham scoffed and waved Henry off, shifting again in his seat. “Absurd! Why on earth would I do such a thing?”

“Jealousy,” Henry said, his foot tapping as the rage built. “You think my title should have passed on to you, not me. All this has been the spiteful act of a little man who was angry he didn’t get what he wanted.”

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