Page 94 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

When she entered the bar, she caught the eyes of two of her maids sitting at a small table with drinks before them. She did not acknowledge them. She scanned the tavern and found her second footman also sitting in the bar, as she instructed. The trap was set, the bait had lured the prey, and she would have multiple witnesses this time.

Agnes spotted Beatrice in the smaller room off the main bar area. Beatrice sat with her back to Agnes, talking with the foolish maid’s brother and drinking ale. It formed a picture reminiscent of a Renaissance painting—it was beautiful, everything laid out for a private showing for Agnes.

She did not need to instruct her maids or footman anymore. They all stood up to join her and her rider as she entered the back room.

She took a deep breath and laid a hand on Beatrice’s shoulder. A rush of excitement coursed through her body at the touch.

“Welcome to your worst nightmare,” she said. “I finally have you. There is nowhere to run now.”

Beatrice turned around to face her, and Agnes looked her in the eye, savoring every moment.

The hood came down, and Agnes stumbled back.

“Please! I thought I made myself clear at the ball,” the Duke snapped.

“You!” Agnes screamed. “What are you doing here!?”

“What does it look like I am doing here, Miss Jennings? I am having a drink with an old friend.”

“No, no, no,” Agnes muttered. “No, it was supposed to be her.”

“Are you feeling all right?” Lord Pemberton asked from a table to the side.

Agnes jumped in fright. She started crying and muttering when she saw three other noblemen she recognized.

“No, no, it was Beatrice. This is where she came before,” she insisted.

“You must be mistaken,” the Duke said. “This leads me to wonder why you really are here. Did I see you ride here on a horse with a man? What were you planning to do with him, Miss Jennings?”

“No! You don’t get to accuse me of anything. He is my footman, and he will tell you the truth.”

“Will he?” Edwin asked. He turned to the footman. “What is your name, Sir?”

“Warren, Your Grace,” the footman replied.

“Warren, let me ask you this. Do you believe you will have a job tomorrow with Miss Jennings?” Edwin asked.

“I don’t think I will. I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“Of course, I don’t like you,” Agnes snapped. “You are incompetent and an imbecile. Now, tell them what we are doing here.”

“If you are looking for work, I need good men at my estate,” the Duke continued. “I’ve just hired Sally.”

“Who the heck is Sally?” Agnes demanded.

“She worked for you,” Warren muttered.

The Duke turned to the rest of the servants. “I’m extending the same offer to you.”

“Stop trying to bribe my staff,” Agnes spat. “No, Warren, tell everyone the truth.”

“All right,” Warren said. “The truth is that Miss Jennings made me come out here tonight to be alone with me. She wanted me to do things to her, like kissing her and holding her, and I knew if I didn’t do it, I would not have a job come morning.”

“You are a liar!” Agnes shouted.

She tried to scratch at his face, but he was too quick for her—he moved out of her way.

“Well, there we have it, ladies and gentlemen,” Edwin announced. “We have many witnesses as to what transpired here tonight. I will finish my ale and then leave you all to it. I must spend some time with my wife.”

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