Page 26 of The Truth about the Duke
“That is why my father did not say a word about the heirlooms and why he demanded my mother remain silent,” the Duke told her, lowering his head just a little as his eyes searched hers. “My father believed that someone close to him was the highwayman, though he could never prove who it was. That was why he remained silent. He did not want me to be always questioning, always looking as he had been doing. Nor did he want my opinions or thoughts of others to be clouded. Thus, all that was ever said to me was that they were lost.”
“It sounds to me as though your father was a very noble gentleman,” Lydia said, gently, seeing the pain that ripped through the Duke’s expression. He was not looking at her, his face screwed up, heavy shadows lingering in his eyes. “He did not want you to be troubled in any way. Mayhap he believed that the heirlooms were gone and that they could not be found again.”
The Duke glanced at her, then pulled his gaze away again. “Mayhap. Though I do wish he had shared his burden with me.”
“I can understand that.” A little hesitantly, Lydia put her hand on his arm for a brief moment – purposefully this time– and looked up into his face. “This must be troubling for you, Your Grace. I am truly sorry that I wrote as I did. If I had known it would cause you such pain, then I would never have done such a thing.”
The Duke glanced at her and then, giving her a second, longer look, smiled briefly. “I know you did not mean to do so. In a way, I am grateful to you for what you discovered. I have always wondered about the heirlooms, wondered what it is that happened to them.”
“And now you know.”
With a slight frown pulling at his forehead, the Duke hesitated, a shadow crossing his eyes. “I think that in that, I am not certain I agree, Lady Lydia. I might now be aware of the truth of what has happened to them, certainly, but that does not mean that I knowpreciselywhat took place.”
“But how can you know?” Lydia asked, not fully understanding what he meant. “It is so long in the past and with your father no longer here, then how can you find out the truth?”
The Duke sighed. “I do not know. But I am certain that I cannot let this rest. Indeed, it is taking a higher preference in my mind than anything else!”
This made Lydia’s eyebrows lift, surprised that the Duke was now speaking so openly with her. She knew that he was come to seek a bride, for all of London were aware of that fact, and yet, here he was, stating quite plainly that what he now had on his mind were the heirlooms rather than matrimony. That was a significant thing, was it not? Though she was not quite certain what she ought to say to that.
“There is something I have not told you as yet, Lady Lydia.” With a deep breath, the Duke lifted his chin a notch, his lips pressing tightly together for a moment before he spoke as if he was considering whether or not he ought to say such a thing as this. “My mother also stated in her letter that my father did,in fact, injure the highwayman. He struck him across the face though he was not certain as to where it struck.”
Lydia’s breath swirled in her chest as she caught her breath, her eyes rounding. “Then whoever it was will have a scar somewhere on their face!”
“Yes, exactly.” There came a quick flash into the Duke’s eyes as he looked at her, perhaps a little surprised with her understanding. “And if my father believed that it was someone close to him – a relative or a close friend – then I might, somehow, be able to determine who it is that now has my heirlooms.” He winced. “My mother gave me four names, though I am loathe to begin settling suspicion upon any.”
Lydia blinked quickly, taking in the Duke’s words. “You mean to say that your father had thoughts as to who it might be that had worked alongside his driver to capture the heirlooms?”
He nodded.
“Am I permitted to ask who they are?”
A slight twist of the Duke’s lips told her that her question was being considered, though mayhap he thought it a little impertinent, Lydia considered. She tipped her head, studying him, aware of just how little her dislike of him was present within her.
“You are certainly permitted to ask, Lady Lydia, though whether or not it would be wise for me to share it, I am not yet sure.” A small smile touched the corner of his mouth. “Let me think on it a little more before I answer you.”
Finding herself rather appreciative of his consideration and his desire to be thoughtful and careful, Lydia nodded. “But of course.”
“Thank you for showing me this.” His smile grew and he took a small step closer to her, leaning his head down just a little. “It seems as though I am still in need of your help, Lady Lydia. You have been able to find and discover things that I did not evenknow existed! It would be wise for me to ask you to continue in your desire to be of aid to me given how much success you have had thus far.” His eyes caught hers, an intensity in them now. “That is, if you are still willing.”
“Of course I am!” The words were given to him before she had even had time to think but Lydia was rather surprised at just how much she desired to do such a thing. “It is clear to me that this is of great sorrow to you, Your Grace. I should very much like to be of aid to you.”
“I am grateful. Truly. Especially since I have not spoken well either of or to you, Lady Lydia.” The Duke looked away, pushing one hand through his hair and letting it fall carelessly. “I have not thought well of bluestockings and I have made my feelings rather clear on that subject, have I not?” When Lydia nodded, he gave her a rueful smile. “You are bold enough to be honest with me, I see.”
“I do not think there is any point in either pretending that it is not as you say or that it is not as severe as you have said,” she answered, clearly. “Yes, you have made it plain that you think bluestockings ought to be shunned, in many ways, and that it is almost shameful for a young lady to be so.”
His hazel eyes flashed though he did not immediately respond, as if he had the urge to respond a little sharply but had chosen not to. “Indeed.” With a nod, he looked away. “But for you to offer me your assistance when I have spoken so says a good deal about your character, Lady Lydia, and I will not pretend that I am nothing other than grateful.”
She smiled then, a gentle relief in her heart that they were no longer at odds, no longer determined to fight back against each other. Instead, there seemed to be a sense of understanding there, one that was growing steadily and that was, to her mind, quite delightful. “I value that a great deal, Your Grace. Though,if I am to help you, then I shall need to know the names of those that your father considered responsible.”
It took the Duke a few moments to reply to her but when he did, it was with another heavy sigh. “And I shall, I swear to you,” he answered, “but in a day or two. I must take a little more time to think on it all and discard, mayhap, a name – or more than one – that I think could not possibly have done so.”
“Very well.” Lydia smiled up at him, her heart lifting. “Then I look forward to speaking to you again soon, Your Grace.”
The Duke tipped his head, his eyes considering as he looked back at her. It was as though he was looking at her for the very first time, as though he had seen something in her that he had not recognized before. “As do I, Lady Lydia,” he answered, a genuineness to his voice that made her smile. “And I assure you, our next conversation will come very soon indeed.”
Chapter Eleven
“Iam astonished, I must say.”
