Page 94 of The Legend of the Betrayed Duchess
He walked over to the window to collect his thoughts. This was going to be more difficult than he had imagined. Finally, he turned to her.
“Lucy, may I take you from your writing for a moment?”
“That would be fine. I have been blocked ever since your father died. I tried working in my room but then thought I might do better out here, but it has not been so. Come sit with me,” she said as she left the desk and went to the sofa.
George went over and sat next to her. He picked up her hand and felt its reassuring warmth.
“Lucy, I hardly know how to begin.”
“What?” she asked with some concern.
George looked into her eyes very calmly. “I need to speak to you now as a friend. I had a word with Nanny this morning, and I was reminded of how close we were as youngsters. We shared everything. But over time we grew up, got involved in our own lives, and…” He could not bring himself to say that he had fallen in love with her. This was not the moment.
“Of course, I am your friend. I always have been. Nothing has changed.”
George collected his thoughts then proceeded. “Lucy, I need to talk to you about your brother.” Lucy’s face froze. “This is going to be a very difficult conversation for me. Please listen to all I have to say, and then we can talk about it.”
She nodded.
He told her about what he had learned from Sir Cuthbert and the proof from the articles he had read. When he finished telling her, he studied her face and was surprised she did not register as much agitation as he had expected.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She sighed and said, “I expected something like that,” she said softly.
She then related her discovery that she had no dowry and how she had become suspicious that her brother was lying to her about something more profound.
She said, “I know this must sound strange, but in some ways, I am relieved to know the truth. Thank you for telling me.”
George was amazed at how well she had taken this news.
“What are you going to do now, George? Are you going to send us away?”
“Oh, Lucy, I would never send you away.”
“But Harold—you plan to let him go. Am I right?”
“That is what I want to talk to you about. I am greatly conflicted. On the one hand, I am inclined to call the sheriff and have him taken into custody. But, on the other hand, I am concerned for you, for Betsy, and for the well-being of the estate.” He suddenly remembered he had not told her his other news. “You see, I have been asked to provide more paintings for a major show at the gallery in the fall. And, if I am to provide the paintings, I must have someone manage the estate for me. I cannot do both.”
“George, this is wonderful news. You must be thrilled.”
“I am. But you can see my dilemma. What do you, as my friend and not Harold’s sister, advise me to do? I cannot seem to make up my mind. My heart says one thing, my mind says another.”
Lucy sat silently looking down at her hands in her lap for quite a few moments.
“Oh, George, that you should ask me of all people. The one person who has the most to lose because of your decision. Do you really expect me to be able to answer you without some kind of prejudice?”
“I do because I know your heart and your ability to fiercely speak your truth. I want that heart; I want that wisdom. Tell me honestly what you think. Please?”
“Then I would say, talk to him. Tell him what you have learned but let him tell you his side of the story. If he truly did the things he has been accused of, he should be answerable for the consequences. But temper your justice with mercy. I do believe he is a good man. He may have made mistakes, and if so, he must make restitution for them. But I also believe he should be given the opportunity to redeem himself.”
George nodded. “Would you be with me when I talk to him? He may feel safer if you are there.”
“I will, George. Thank you for asking. When do you want to do this?”
“As soon as possible. I thought the three of us might retire to your suite after dinner this evening.”
“That sounds reasonable.”
