Page 3 of Doubling Down on a Duke
Clearly befuddled, Bryce shook his head. “Her? Love?”
It was a rather simple question. So why was the only person she knew of to have ever defeated her papa in a chess match behaving as if he was in a quandary. Since her answer hinged upon his, Helen clarified, “Her, as in the woman you trust. The woman you were with at the Redburn ball…the one who knows the truth aboutus.”
“Ahhh…Lady Hazel.” His lips curved into a smug grin as he uttered Lady Hazel’s name.
What had she expected? He was a rake, after all. She shouldn’t be surprised or hurt by his reaction, yet her hands fisted into tight balls. Blast the man for making her chest ache. Unable to remain silent a moment longer, she prompted, “Well?”
Looking directly at her, he answered, “You are correct, I do trust Lady Hazel. But what led you to believe I might be in love with her?”
All patience with the man exhausted, she stared back at Bryce, intending to give him a piece of her mind but for a split second her heart stopped. He trusted Lady Hazel. He trusted her enough to share their secret engagement that had been kept from the ton for two decades. Suddenly, all the pent up frustration that had built up over the years faded and she was left feeling hollow. With a sigh of defeat she asked, “Can you not simply answer my question? Must every conversation we engage in be a debate?”
He blinked first, which in itself was astonishing for he’d never lost a staring competition to her before. “A moment please…” He rubbed the back of his hand under the tip of his jaw where there were already signs of stubble. With a nod he continued, “Right. Your question was: Am Iinlove with Lady Hazel? And my answer is…”
The blasted man paused. Didn’t he know her lungs burned. She closed her eyes and focused on the simple act of breathing. He must love Lady Hazel, or he would have immediately declared he wasn’t. His hesitation must stem from his constant need to be kind and polite at all times. She pressed her forehead to the tops of her bent knees.
“Lady Helen?” Bryce’s hands fell upon her slumped shoulders.
She raised her head and opened her eyes, allowing a solitary tear to escape. “I’m happy for you. After all these years you have finally found a lady you want to share your life with.”
He cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb across her skin. “You don’t look happy.”
Ignoring the deep ache in her chest, she rolled her shoulders back and said, “Appearances, as you know, can be deceiving.” She expelled a deep breath and pasted on a smile. “If you assist me to escape, I promise you shall never have to see me again.”
“What! Never see you again!” Bryce rolled to his feet hauling her up with him by the shoulders. Bent at the waist, he once again captured her gaze and added, “What are you saying?”
“I can’t in good faith marry you when you are in love with Lady Hazel.”
“I never said I was in love, let alone in love with Lady Hazel.” His brow crinkled. “The only woman I’ve ever considered marrying is you…andyouwill have to kill me first before I ever agree to let you go forever.”
Helen stared directly into Bryce’s deadly serious green eyes and blinked. She’d seen that look of determination once before, when he sat across the chess board from her papa all those years ago playing a match as ifhislife depended upon the outcome and not hers. He had blatantly denied he was in love, so why was he so adamant about marrying her? His logic made no sense to her.
Skirts gripped tightly in her fisted hands, she stiffened her spine and continued to scowl at the man in front of her. She would have to manage on her own, much like she had since her papa had died.
The rattle of keys at the door had Bryce hauling her behind him. She didn’t need to be shielded. Helen brushed her intended’s protective arm aside. Should she take a stance next to him or in front of him?
The door flung open before she could decide, and to her surprise Bryce launched himself at Lord Hurlington. The two men, skilled in hand-to-hand combat, were distracted as they circled one another about the room. There—the opportunity she needed. It was now or never. Probably her one and only chance to run and flee, and leave Bryce behind. With a heavy heart, Helen picked up her skirts and ran out the door. No matter the consequences her choice might entail, she wasn’t willing to marry a man who didn’t love her.
CHAPTER FOUR
Both Hurlington and Bryce whirled around and caught the last glimpse of Helen’s skirts as the woman dashed out the door.
“Blasted woman is on the run again.” Bryce took off and barely beat Hurlington through the door frame only to come to an abrupt halt as he nearly barreled over one of the Network elders, Mr. Cadby.
“Lost your fiancée again, I see.” Mr. Cadby chuckled and then continued on, “Not to worry, lad, we’ll have her ready and willing to meet you in the cathedral in an hour.”
“Are you certain Lady Helen will be willing?”
With a wide smile, the man who had run the tobacco shop that served as a front for the Network’s headquarters for decades said, “Of course. We would never force a lady into wedlock.”
Bryce searched the old man’s features, looking for a nervous twitch or the tightening of the man’s jaw muscles that might indicate that he might be uttering a falsehood. With no signs of deception, Bryce reminded Mr. Cadby,“Our betrothal agreement clearly states our vows are to be exchanged at Lady Helen’s discretion.”
“And so they will.” Mr. Cadby slung his arm about Bryce’s back and shoulder. “Come along. We need to make you presentable or at the very least appear as a respectable duke that you are supposed to be.”
He glared at the man who held a significant amount of influence within the Network since his own daughter, Lady Bronwyn, was married to the head PORF. In all the years he’d been betrothed to Helen, the Network had remained impartial, yet last night both he and Helen had been taken by Network members by surprise. Curious as to the reason for their actions, Bryce asked, “Why has the Network decided to intervene?”
“The Council didn’t decide. Orders came straight from the head PORF, Lord Hadfield himself.” Mr. Cadby’s hand squeezed his shoulder and leaned closer to whisper, “It has come to our attention that one of the queen’s diamond necklaces and a pair of earbobs have gone missing from the royal treasury. Lord Hadfield has assigned you and Lady Helen to retrieve them.”
He stopped mid-step and faced the Network elder. “Lord Hadfield issued the order?”
