Page 153 of From Rakes to Riches

The duke’s expression hardened immediately. “I’ve cut ties with the Morgan family. You’ve wasted your time by coming here today.” His Grace stepped closer, his eyes taking on a wily gleam. “Although I am interested if Anna knows the whereabouts of her sister Lola.”

“I can’t speak to that,” Theodore answered, pleased he’d snagged the duke’s interest enough to continue their conversation. “But the situation causes her family great distress.”

“That is unfortunate. However, it was Lola who brought shame and hardship to her family when she released my prized stallion. She confessed to the crime and therefore should be punished, but instead in an act of cowardice, she ran away. In that, she’s decided her fate. Separation from her family will have to serve as consequence for the time being.”

“If the charges were dismissed, the family could reunite,” Theodore stated matter-of-factly. “It would be a gracious gesture.”

The duke barked a sharp laugh. “How tidy and simplistic you make it sound. Yet in life, we rarely have things happen exactly the way we’d like. For example, I would have liked to have won that auction.”

Theodore swallowed thoughtfully, unsure how to continue. “I will gladly give you the horse if it changes your mind on this matter.”

“A horse hardly makes amends for the situation,” His Grace interrupted before Theodore finished speaking.

“It was my understanding you knew the family well and were fond of the Morgan sisters.” Theodore pressed on.

“Which is what made it all the more disappointing when Lola betrayed me.”

Anger, white hot and impatient, flowed through Theodore at hearing Lola’s name said in the duke’s bitter voice, yet he exhaled slowly, knowing the man before him measured his reaction. The duke had no intention of giving in. “What is it you want?”

“Justice, of course. Lola is a fugitive,” His Grace said with a snide quirk of his mouth. “As a peer, it is my duty to overseeEngland’s safety and withhold an upstanding reputation for the good of all people.”

“You’d punish someone for a kind-hearted act? Lola meant you no harm and yet you’d ruin her life to keep up your appearance of respectability?”

“A kind-hearted act? So, at last we come to the point of this conversation,” Leinster said.

“Which is?” Theodore asked, his words edged with anger.

“You care for her.”

“I care about anyone who is being harmed or mistreated.” The irony of that statement and how it mirrored Lola’s feelings toward the horse the duke beat mercilessly bled through every syllable of his reply.

“Our conversation is over, Essex. There is nothing you can say to change my mind on the matter. You may see yourself out.” Leinster strode toward the door without pause, but then he stopped and turned, gesturing in the air as if he’d just remembered something important. “Unless,” he said, his head canted to the side as he looked directly straight on. “You agree to one stipulation.”

“And what would that be, Your Grace?” Theodore ground out the words, struggling to keep hold of his temper.

Leinster exhaled, that same smug expression on his face as he replied. “You agree to break all ties with Lola Morgan. If you want me to retract the charges, you must give up the girl.”

29

Lola waited for the entire audience to file out of the grandstand before she climbed down from the tightrope platform. Spending the day with Anna had reminded her how much she missed her family, the emotional impact of her decision once again a fresh ache inside her. When she ran away and arrived in London two years ago, she’d worked diligently at burying her sadness, ignoring reminders of her previous life, but she couldn’t pretend any longer. Decisions needed to be made and she had only herself to blame for their difficulty.

She’d acted foolishly, falling in love with Theodore while knowing their relationship would always be dictated by her past. Now she’d suffer the consequences for failing to protect her heart.

Struggling with these thoughts, she reached the bottom of the ladder, startled when Theodore appeared across the lawn. He was striking in the moonlight. She’d never become immune to his handsomeness.

“Theodore, what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice a mixture of excitement and confusion.

“I needed to speak to you and thought Vauxhall would be the safest place. However ironic that sounds.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I hope you’re glad to see me.”

“Yes, of course, I just wasn’t expecting you. What do you mean by safest place?” she asked, immediately concerned. She glanced around the area but everything appeared in kind to any other evening.

“I spoke to the Duke of Leinster today.”

“Oh.” Her smile dropped away and she tugged on the knot of her shawl. Tonight, the shadows of her past insisted on being heard.“I wasn’t expectingthateither.”

“We should walk in the Pleasure Garden. It will offer us privacy.”

“It didn’t go well, did it?” She grew impatient as she deciphered the emotion in his eyes. “Does he know where I am? Is he calling the authorities and that’s why I’m no longer safe?”

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