Page 61 of The Artisan and the Duke
She felt like she was in a daze. Where in London was she? Jules looked out the window of her room. She could not tell where she was from the skyline that greeted her. Jules sank down onto her bed.
She refused to feel despondent. After all, the man had talked of a job. If she had a job, then she would have to leave the house, and therefore, she might be able to slip away and get back to the St Claire family home. Doubt over what David had said crept into Jules’ heart. What if Gregory really did not want anything to do with her? Had he been looking for her?
Jules went over to the bed and laid down. It felt so odd to be in a bed again, and soon enough she was asleep from the fatigue of the last few days.
***
Gregory walked up the steps to Glenwood Estate where his uncle often stayed with his cousin Boris, even though Boris was related to Gregory through his mother’s side. Family sticks together, Gregory reminded himself as he knocked on the door.
The doorman gave Gregory a curious look. “Your Grace,” the man said. “If you are looking for your uncle, he is not in residence.”
“Actually, I’m looking for the Master of the house. Is Lord Shelton in?” Gregory gave the man a smile which caused the servant to relax visibly.
The doorman stepped back and opened the door wide so that Gregory could step through. As soon as Gregory was through the door, the man bowed to him and said, “I shall tell him that you are here, Your Grace.”
“Very good,” Gregory said with a generous smile.
A few minutes later, and the entrance hall was filled with Boris’ roar of a laugh. “Well, what do I owe the pleasure of the Duke of Thornton visiting so much lately? Still sussing out your uncle?”
“No, no. I have quite given up on Uncle, and I am just going to presume him dead,” Gregory said with a smile.
Boris chuckled and shook his finger at Gregory. “Always with that bite to your words, Cousin. I swear that you must have been suckled on knives to get such a sharp tongue.” Boris clucked his tongue at Gregory.
“All jokes aside, Cousin, I came to see you. I heard a horrible rumour, and to my ghastly shock it was attributed to you,” Gregory said with a sad shake of his head.
Boris frowned deeply and asked, “What is it? What is it that I was supposed to say? What vile venom came from my lips?”
“It was to the detriment of my bride, I fear,” Gregory said with another shake of his head. “It was so fiendish that I knew it was a lie as soon as I heard it. I tell you the man is a villain that spoke it to me.”
Boris was beside himself as he grabbed Gregory’s arms. “I beseech you to tell me what this scoundrel has heaped on my plate.”
Gregory said, “It was said that my wife was unfaithful. I know it to be false, good Boris, but I will admit that it ripped at my heart to hear it.”
“I swear to you that I said no such thing. You know as well as I do that I have barely been around the Duchess long enough to form a hearty opinion. What I have seen of her shows her to be a kind and generous young lady,” Boris said adamantly. “You trust me, do you not, Cousin?”
Gregory nodded slowly. “Of course, I do. We grew up together, you and me.” Gregory sighed. “I am glad that you were not the seat of such lies.”
Boris put his arm around Gregory’s shoulders merrily. “Fear not, for our relationship will weather all storms, Cousin. We need not doubt each other,” Boris said with a smile.
Gregory agreed, “Indeed.”
“Who was this foul beast that spoke so?” Boris asked as he let go of Gregory.
Gregory waved his hands. “I do not wish to cause strife. I just merely had to know if it was truly out of your mouth,” Gregory said beseechingly.
Boris insisted, “You must tell me who has besmirched my name, Cousin. You cannot let this knave run about the whole of London telling people that I said such things about my own family.”
“Then let me handle him,” Gregory said earnestly. “I will take it straight to him and hone him through his heart if he denies it.”
Boris chuckled. “I tell you, Gregory, your mother’s milk must have been made of pure fire. I will leave it to you then,” Boris said with a shake of his head. “Be safe, Cousin. People who will say such things will do much worse than spout a few ill words.”
Gregory clapped his cousin on the shoulder. “I will take your words with great care, good Boris,” Gregory said seriously. “May I ask a favour of you after offending you so?”
“Certainly, you may,” Boris said confidently.
Gregory nodded and asked, “My wife has been wrongly imprisoned. Not even charges filed against her. There are reports of her being in workhouses, but she has since disappeared. I would ask that you keep your ears and eyes open. I know that you are out in society more. Perhaps someone has heard something.”
“It breaks my heart to hear this,” Boris said fiercely. “I will do everything in my power to procure this information for you. This shall not stand.”
