Page 79 of A Virgin for the Duke of Ash

“I need to know who you have been talking to,” he snapped. “Specifically, who you have been talking to aboutme.”

Lady Cobham stiffened, her eyes narrowing on him. “I do not know what you are insinuating, Your Grace. You, of all people, should know that there ishardlyanyone who would talk to someone like me.”

There were those self-righteous idiots who would give a woman like the Marchioness a wide berth, if only because she made no pretenses. She was audacious and brutally honest to a fault, and while some might find such a woman to be abrasive, she was a titled noblewoman, and so she was still afforded the deference that was her due.

“I meant if you have been talking to anyone about my…parentage.”

The word left a bitter taste in his mouth. Ever since he had been old enough to recognize that he was mostly alone in this world, he had not given any importance to his origins. It was only for the sake of Caroline—and then, Evie—that he upheld appearances as the distant cousin who was fortunate enough to inherit the titles and supposed wealth of the late Duke of Ashton.

In truth, there was hardly any wealth when Daniel finally assumed the title. The coffers were empty, and Caroline was already struggling to maintain the glorious reputation of one of the oldest families in England.

“And why would I do that?” Lady Cobham looked properly offended. “I am no gossip. You know how I despise such dealings.”

He looked pointedly at her. “So, you did not talk about our… time together? You have not been talking toLady Spalding, have you?”

She laughed airily. “Good heavens,no! Your Grace, did you truly think me to be so nostalgic as to reminisce about what we have rightfully left in the past? And with such a vulgar scandal writer, at that. You offend me, Your Grace.”

“Just answer the question, Georgiana.”

“Of course not.” She bristled. “I am happy with the life I have now. I have a husband whom I have grown to adore more than life itself. We might not be compatible in everything, but…Why would I risk all of that?”

Her eyes softened visibly when she spoke about the Marquess. It was clear to him that she spoke sincerely about her affection for the man.

“I am well aware that you have found your happiness with your bride,” she continued, pouring each of them a cup of tea. “I saw no reason to disrupt all that. Why should I risk my reputation and make a cuckold of my husband before the eyes of theton?” She paused and then added, “Perhaps someone saw me in the wedding breakfast and thought?—”

“Of course, someonethoughtsomething,” he gritted out. “That was precisely the reason why you were not invited to the wedding, Georgiana!”

The Marchioness paled and pressed a trembling hand to her lips. “Dear God in heaven!” she gasped, her eyes wide. She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. “I apologize for my carelessness, Your Grace. I truly do.”

Daniel ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Taking his anger out on the poor woman would do him no good.

“You are forgiven. It is no fault of yours that there are simply those who would think the worst of everyone,” he grunted.

She nodded, although she appeared to have lost most of her usual sensual confidence. “I hope you find whoever is behind thisLady Spaldingnonsense.”

Oh, believe me, I already know where to call in these debts.

He stood up. “Thank you, My Lady. Worry not, I know how to take care of these things.”

“I am quite certain you do,” she murmured into her cup.

He nodded subtly at her. “I shall be on my way, then. You do not need to see me out the door.”

She gave him another smile—more friendly than sultry as she waved him away. “My door is always open to my friends—mytruefriends.”

As Daniel walked back to the carriage, he looked up at the bleak sky. Overhead, the clouds had begun to gather. In the distance, thunder rumbled, a portent of a downpour.

Rain would not be the only thing coming down upon London in the coming days.

There were those who had apparently been enjoying too many carefree days that they had forgotten just what he was capable of.

It was about time he paid them a visit to remind them just who they had dared to offend.

How quaint—even the weather seems to mirror what I am feeling right now.

Evie stared out the window at the gathering clouds overhead. Just a few days ago, it had been exceptionally sunny. She could still recall the warm sunlight that danced on her skin on her wedding day. Now, the clouds were rolling in, and there was even the faint rumbling of thunder in the distance.

“Evie?”

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