Page 17 of A Dilemma for the Duke

“Jeffers, order my carriage,” he instructed.

“Of course, Your Grace.” Jeffers inclined his head before exiting the room.

Rockford took a deep breath, gazing out the window as the morning light fully embraced the day. As he descended the stairs, the burden of both past and present rested on hisshoulders. Yet, beneath it all, a flicker of hope remained. The truth would prevail someday, and the shadows of his actions would finally be dispelled. He hoped. They had to.

Chapter Six

The Sommer RiverClub, with its plush velvet chairs and polished mahogany tables, was a haven of quiet sophistication, a stark contrast to the busy streets outside. Rockford found Barrington seated in a private corner, a stack of documents spread out before him.

“Good morning, Rockford.” Barrington looked up from his papers. “I trust you rested well?”

“Well enough.” Rockford sat across from his friend, signaling the footman for a drink.

Barrington put down the papers and gave Rockford his full attention. “Indeed. Are you absolutely certain about this? Misleading Lady Lora is no small matter. We must be certain there’s no other way.”

Rockford leaned forward, the gravity of his decision written on his face. He took a deep breath, knowing he had to justify his course of action to Barrington and himself.

“I’ve considered every possibility. The stakes are too high to waver now,” His voice steady despite the turmoil deep in his heart. “If we don’t act before the king arrives, the consequences could be disastrous.”

Barrington sat back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Go on.”

“The rumors are spreading faster than we anticipated, faster than we can control,” Rockford explained, his tone edged with urgency. “That’s exactly what we intended. It paints me assomeone vulnerable, someone the true culprit might believe they can manipulate.

“Hastings has expanded my role in the scandal to being an even greater rogue. He spun the story so convincingly that even those outside his circle are starting to believe it. If we don’t act before the king arrives, the scandal we created will no longer be just a tool, it will become the distraction that allows real corruption to thrive. Worse, it risks drawing His Majesty into a carefully woven web of deceit, forcing him to act based on falsehoods rather than truth. A single misstep in his judgment could destabilize the government, weaken our allies, and leave the crown compromised.

“I cannot allow that.” His jaw tightened. “If playing the role Hastings has given me ensures we get to the truth, then that is the role I must play. Even if it costs me everything.”

Barrington’s brow furrowed, but he nodded. “So we stay with the plan.”

“Precisely. Hastings must believe he’s winning, but we need to act quickly,” Rockford crossed his arms, his gaze fixed. “The chaos would only increase with His Majesty here.”

Barrington leaned forward slightly. “And Lady Lora?”

Rockford’s jaw tightened. “She’s in danger because of Hastings. His efforts to undermine the clinic already threaten her work, but if he sees the Fallsmith fortune as an opportunity, that could make her an even bigger target. The only way to protect her is to stay close, and we both know she won’t willingly accept our help if she knew the truth.”

Barrington remained quiet, his expression stern as Rockford stood. “I see your point. Now that we know Hastings is involved, the scandal is more than just a means to lure him out. It’s becoming a weapon our enemies could use against the monarchy. If public trust erodes, it’s nearly impossible to regain. We can’t let that happen.”

“It’s also our duty to prevent this from touching the king.” Rockford leaned closer, his voice low. “Allowing this to escalate, would be a failure on our part.”

“Exactly.” Barrington paused, letting his words sink in before continuing.

“Acting now gives us the element of surprise. If we wait, Hastings and his allies could entrench themselves further, and it will be even harder to dismantle their plans.”

Barrington nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “You’ve clearly thought this through.”

“And then there’s the legacy we’ll leave behind,” Rockford added quietly. “Resolving this scandal sets a precedent for dealing with corruption, securing the future of the kingdom. We can’t afford to hesitate.”

Barrington let out a long breath, the tension easing slightly from his shoulders. “Very well. We proceed as planned. But know this, Rockford, deceiving Lady Lora will be the hardest thing you’ll ever do. Make sure you’re ready to face that.”

Rockford nodded, the gravity of his decision clear in his expression. “I am. For her sake and for the kingdom, I am. Now, let me tell you what I overheard last night.”

The footman set a cup of coffee on the table. Rockford took a sip, then leaned closer to Barrington, lowering his voice. “The highwayman is targeting specific items, documents and shipments of arms, that could be linked to the corruption we’ve been investigating in London.”

Barrington leaned forward, his expression sharpened. “What kind of documents?”

“Royal correspondence and financial records,” Rockford replied grimly. “Worse, some of the royal documents have been forged.”

Barrington’s usual composure slipped. “Forged royal documents? If those reach the wrong hands—”

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