Page 19 of The Duplicate Duke
With that, he left them.Gwen and her mother stared at the empty doorway and then at each other.Mama collapsed in the vacated chair, picked up the bottle of whisky, and took a healthy swallow.
CHAPTER9
Early July
Miles sifted through the correspondence his butler had sent on.He recognized the scrawl of Mr.Walters.It must be the invoice for the investigation and expenses incurred.Cracking open the envelope, he pulled out several sheets of paper as a tattoo sounded on the study door.
“Wickton, I forgot what time we were meeting for archery practice.I’ve been playing with the bow.It takes more strength than I imagined.”Shackerley dropped down in the chair opposite the desk.“I’m sorry.I’ll stay quiet until you’ve finished reading.”
Miles nodded, smiled, and unfolded the letter.Walters was not billing him.He frowned, confused.
Lord Wickton,
We have located Graham Beaumaris and returned to Boston where his sister and mother reside.He is in good health and curious about his inheritance.It appears Lady Gwendolyn and Lady Greywood have already departed for Liverpool.I have purchased tickets on the packet Courier, leaving on 1 July.We will escort the gentleman to Shackerley Place as agreed.Enclosed is a letter for the ladies from Beaumaris.
Kind regards,
Mr.Harry Walters
O’Brien Investigative Services
Milesblinked and reread the letter.He gazed at Shackerley.Was it Shackerley?Who had the investigators found?
“Are you well?”asked his cousin.“Is it bad news?”He rose from his chair and put his hands on the desk, leaning toward Miles and the letter in his hand.“Is there anything I can do?”
Miles peered at the second sheet of paper, the handwriting scrawled but masculine.His eyes narrowed as he glared at… Lady Gwendolyn?“Yes.Perhaps you could explain this?”he asked, handing her the letter.
As soon as she recognized the handwriting, her face went pale, and she sank back into the chair.She scanned the words, blinking rapidly, smiling at first, then her lips trembling as tears streaked her cheek.Her hand tugged at the cravat while the hand holding the letter from her brother fell to her lap.
“Please, don’t hate me.I can explain.”
“I’m holding my breath in anticipation.”If she really were a man, he’d have dragged her to a boxing ring and pummeled her.But she wasn’t.
“We were so hungry.I was going to marry a man old enough to be my father, so we didn’t starve.Our house was being sold, leaving us homeless.We had no idea when Graham would return or when those investigators would find him.”She leaned forward, those sapphire-blue eyes pleading with him.“We didn’t anticipate you staying with us, becoming close to you.We thought we would stay here quietly until Graham came, then make the switch, and none would be the wiser.”
“I was easy to dupe, wasn’t I?A gullible fool, hungry for family.”His voice rose as he spoke.“I vouched for you with Sir Samuel.You dallied withmyreputation!”
“Sacré bleu!”said Lady Greywood from the doorway.“I see she’s told you.”
He glowered at the older woman.“No, she didn’t.I’ve received a letter informing me the real duke has been found.They left Boston two days ago.”
“Graham’s alive?”cried the marchioness.“Oh, thank the lord.”
Miles rubbed his eyes and fell back into his chair.
“I know you’re angry,” said Lady Greywood, approaching the desk.“We were two desperate ladies, and we took a gamble on our future.Gwen meant no harm.”
Miles snorted, giving Gwen a side-glance.He saw the gentle curve of her jaw now, the slender throat, the husky but not quite masculine voice.What a nodcock he’d been.
“Sir Samuel will never know.He only met me once, and the servants might be confused, but Mr.Garner will be sure they don’t say anything.”Lady Gwendolyn sat up, regret darkening her doe eyes.Her full lips trembled again.“We’ve come to care for you so much, Miles.Please don’t shut us out.”
“The butler knows?”he bellowed.
“By accident,” said Lady Greywood.
“He walked into my chambers and saw me without a shirt,” added Lady Gwendolyn.
His mouth fell open.“Mr.Garner has seen you…”
