Page 7 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
“Well, since you are such a man of honour, I am sure you would not deny me the promises made by your father before he died.”
“What promises?” Theo asked suspiciously.
“The last large business deal I saw through for your father due to his poor health, bless him, he promised me a sizeable portion of the profits, and I have yet to receive it to this day.”
“That is ridiculous! You had no such deal. Now please leave, sir, before I have you thrown out,” Theo spat.
“Oh, is that so? Well then, I suppose it is good that I held onto the papers for this,” Rupert responded slyly as he pulled rolled-up papers from his satchel.
Theo unrolled the papers on his desk and saw that the snake appeared correct. Still, Theo did not believe it. He had gone over all the ledgers after he took over the estate and had never seen mention of this deal. Still Theo’s pride and honour demanded he look into it.
“Mr Rupert, I will investigate this matter further, and if this is true, you will receive all that is justly owed to you. For now, I will ask you to leave my home immediately and not return unless summoned. Good day sir!” Theo stated with authority and turned his back to Rupert.
Rupert bowed and took his leave. After he had left the room and his footsteps had faded from the corridor's marble floor, Theo finally turned around. He sank into his chair, and Alexander walked over to look at the papers with him.
“Damn, I detest that man! I do not understand why you are even entertaining what this scoundrel is claiming. You know it is just another one of his plots to rob you, Theo,” Alexander said.
“I know, but I would never dishonour my father by not at least doing my due diligence and examining it to see if a deal was made between them,” Theo answered sombrely.
“But even if he did, your father was in no position to make deals considering the state of his health by the end of his life, and Rupert knew that, and to do so was just pure thievery!” Alexander exclaimed.
At this, Theo gave Alexander a look that he knew meant to drop it, so in respect of his friend, Alexander did so.
***
At teatime, Penelope and Georgina discussed the ball and all the events of the night before as they sipped their tea and enjoyed cook’s freshly made biscuits.
The girls were surrounded by many fresh bouquets of flowers from Penelope’s countless admirers; some had even delivered them in person. Some of the smaller bouquets were from Georgina’s, though not nearly as many or costly.
“I wonder if Mr Davenport and the duke will follow through on their promise to ask us to accompany them for a ride one day this week. That would be so lovely! Even if the duke is mad, we will have Mr Davenport there to protect us and …” exclaimed Georgina.
“Georgina, stop this!” interrupted Penelope.
“Stop what? You do not wish to go out riding with them? I thought you would, considering your passion for the beasts.”
“No, that is not what I mean. I wish you to stop speaking of the duke as a madman and someone we would need protection from,” Penelope stated firmly.
“Oh, well, if you prefer that, Pen, of course, I will, though I must admit I do not understand your defensiveness towards him. But I will never want you offended, my sweet dear friend. You are just too kind, always believing the best in everyone,” Georgina answered.
“Thank you, Georgina. And to answer your quandary, I would not set your hopes on the ride happening, for the duke did not appear keen on the idea.”
“Oh, I see. Well, I am sure many others will ask us to promenade with them or go for picnics or strawberry picking when their season finally comes in!” said Georgina dreamily.
“Yes, I am looking forward to all the exciting outings there are to be had this season, Georgie,” Penelope agreed.
“And in all of these outings, one of them surely will set that stage for a marriage proposal for you and maybe if I am ever so lucky me as well,” Georgina stated, full of longing and a tinge of sadness. Penelope caught this in her best friend’s tone and gently probed for her meaning.
“Why do you say, ‘if you are very lucky,’ Georgina? I am sure you will receive proposals as well.”
“Pen, you know why I say this; please do not toy with me,” Georgina said, suddenly fascinated with the rim of her teacup.
“No, I do not, and I would never toy with you about such things, Georgina. Please educate me as to your meaning,” Penelope pleaded.
“I am no great beauty like you are, Pen. And on top of all, I do not come from a family of vast wealth as you do, so that greatly lowers my chances of getting marriage proposals when you put those two factors together,” Georgina answered, tears brimming over her hazel eyes.
“Georgie, no! That is not true at all; you will find the man you are meant to spend your life with and have a beautiful family,” Penelope assured, taking her friend into her embrace and stroking her hair in a comforting manner. It pained Penelope greatly to see her friend hurting so much and to have such a negative perception of herself. She wished that Georgina could see how wonderful she really was.
“This is not your fault by any means, so I beg of you not to take this to be my meaning, but at times, it is hard to be by your side when in the market for a husband because with you beside me, I rarely get a second look from the available suitors,” Georgina sobbed.
