Page 65 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

“So, the two men fought.” Nora leaned in as far as her pregnant belly would allow her. “Now, here is where the stories diverge. Some say it was the man she eloped with.” She paused fordramatic effect, coaxing a heavy sigh from Frances. “And some say it was the Duke who killed her.”

Jenny blinked, then let out a loud laugh. “Impossible.”

Nora had the audacity to look offended.

Frances chuckled at her friend’s expression. “See, Nora? Not everyone is so gullible to fall for such a ridiculous theory.”

Jenny shook her head. “It’s not a theory, but a most outlandish lie.”

Nora’s eyes narrowed on her. “You sound like you have first-hand knowledge of the Duke in question.” She raised a blonde eyebrow.

Frances and Jenny exchanged looks.

Jenny heaved a sigh of relief—Clearly, Frances hadn’t told Nora about her feelings for the Duke.

Thank goodness.

She nodded. “I have spent some time with the Duke, and while he can be irritatingly broody and frustratingly moody, he has never shown any flaw that would lead anyone to believe he could be capable of murder, let alone be responsible for the murder of his sister.”

Jenny felt her cheeks flush and her pulse race. The man had been through so much, and the thought of this ugly rumor following him wherever he went made the ache in his heart deepen.

Frances waved Nora off. “This conversation is moot. The brigand that the Duke’s sister ran away with confessed to stabbing her when the Duke was trying to defuse the situation. The man was hung, and the Duke is now doing his best to move on. I think we should let him.” She gave her friend a pointed look.

“Oh, fine.” Nora flopped back in her chair. “I don’t know how Sarah does this anyway. Gossiping is exhausting. It’s so hard to keep up with everything.”

Frances rose and walked over to where Nora sat, offering her hands to help her stand up. “Then it is best to leave it to Sarah and the professionals. Besides, I’m sure getting yourself all worked up over nonsense is not good for the baby. Come, let us get you home. You must be getting tired.”

With one firm pull, Nora was standing on her tired feet. “Very well then. I shall get going.”

She and Frances walked towards the library door. Frances turned back to Jenny. “Are you coming to see Nora off, Jenny?”

Jenny still sat in her chair, staring at the painting over the fireplace. It was of two young children running in a field, chasing dogs.

“Go on. I’m feeling quite tired myself. I think I will retire to my room for the afternoon.”

Jenny’s eyes returned to the painting. Her father bought it for her and Thomas before he passed. He said it reminded him of the two of them when they were children. However, when she looked at it now, she couldn’t help but think of David and his sister.

She couldn’t help but feel they must’ve been close. Did they run in a field together? Did they play tricks on each other and get into mischief like she and Thomas did?

Jenny glanced back at the door. She didn’t know what she’d do if she lost Thomas in such a manner. The utter devastation David must have felt being there, trying to rescue his sister, only for the unthinkable to happen.

“Jenny?” Frances’s question startled her. “I thought you were going to lie down?”

Jenny shook off her melancholy. “Uh, yes. I’m going now.”

Frances leaned against the doorjamb. “Are you all right? You do look a little pale. Should I send for the doctor? I would hate for you to get sick so close to your wedding day.”

Jenny waved her off. “No, I’m fine.” She stood up, smoothing the wrinkles in her dress.

Frances smiled and walked over to her. “It must be all the wedding planning. I love your brother dearly, and I am so glad I married him. But if I had to plan another wedding, I don’t know what I’d do. It was not an easy process.”

Jenny pursed her lips. “My brother is more opinionated than Harry. Any suggestion I have, Harry agrees with. Other than the church. He was adamant about getting married in a church.”

Frances eyed her curiously.

“I always dreamed of a beautiful outdoor wedding, with strings of flowers hanging from trees,” Jenny explained. “Thomas and I grew up in the outdoors—we used to run in the fields just outside of town when Papa would go pick up stock for the store. Those are the best memories from my childhood.”

Frances smiled warmly. “Well, consider yourself lucky it’s only one thing you needed to concede to. Your brother fought me on almost every decision. And in the end, he got his way, the sneaky scoundrel.”

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