Page 58 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
“Most clients aren’t as knowledgeable about their incomes as I am, so it rarely comes up. It’s your job as their estate agent to make sure they have no cause for concern at all. The weepy widows are my favourites. They know so little about their income size and sources that they never notice where it all goes. Or if all of it stays in the family.” Filch winks again, but this time, William couldn’t hide his growing anger.
“You steal from grieving widows? Not even I have the stomach for that kind of vile behaviour.”
Filch’s toothless grin dissolved into a frown. “I never said I steal from anybody, Black. I’ll remind you that it was you who needed advice fromme. All I’m saying is that the widows make my job easier because they have fewer questions. They rarely understand the answers anyway.”
“I see. My mistake, Mr Filch. This has been an enlightening conversation, to be sure. Thank you for your time. I’m confident I will be much better at the tasks ahead after speaking with you.”
“Thanks for the drinks, Black. Is that all you needed?”
Filch offered his hand to William, but the duke ignored it.
“No, I need much, much more. But that’s all for now, Filch. I’m late for another meeting.” William tipped his hat and left enough money on the table to cover their drinks, and he gave a generous tip before leaving the pub.
He rode one of his family’s horses back up the road and told his mother all he had learned. She agreed to help him get Filch’s copies of the ledgers by asking for them herself.
“Now that I know Mr Filch thinks I’m a dimwitted ‘weeping widow’, I’ll put on a little performance that will make him fear my suspicions even less,” Grace said.
“Good. Thank you, Mum. I have some things to wrap up at the house party, then I will get back to Father’s townhouse to resolve this issue. Will you have the ledgers sent to me there?”
“With pleasure, my dear. When will I see you again?”
William pulled his mother in for another hug and kissed the top of her head. “No longer than a fortnight, I should think. I have more than just this business to tend to. Which brings me to my next question. Do you still have your mother’s engagement ring? I think it’s time that I claim it now if that’s agreeable with you.”
“Oh, William! This is such a happy day! I will get it for you now. I hope your lady friend says yes.”
His mother scurried out of sight before William could explain that he wasn’t sure how or when he would ask Eleanor to marry him yet.
The first thing he needed to do was get rid of Cecil Phillips so the weasel stopped distracting the woman William loved.
Then he had to tell Eleanor the truth once and for all. There could be no engagement or wedding or happy life together without her knowing she wouldn’t be marrying an estate agent.
She’d be the new Duchess of Ashbourn instead.
Chapter 24
The next morning, Eleanor’s group was excited about finishing the scavenger hunt. However, they were more focused at present on determining how to get the key to the small box she’d found in Mr Phillips’ room.
“Why didn’t you bring the box out of the room with you, Eleanor?” Regina asked.
“Because I couldn’t risk him seeing it was missing yet! Oh, I wish Mr Black were here to help us. When did he say he would return, Mr Montrose?”
Edward poured more tea into everyone’s cups but took a little extra time doing so with Regina’s. He blushed when he looked up at Eleanor, likely having just registered her question in his lovestruck brain.
“Oh, my apologies! He is returning today, Lady Eleanor. However, I am confident that we can steal a key from the weasel without Mr Black’s assistance.”
Cousin Harrison chuckled in response, but his face quickly shifted to a serious frown. “Eleanor, there are only so many nights we can stand to follow this fellow around and fill him with more drink so you don’t get caught. Besides, we only have tonight left before our party disbands. It’s time to let the Charters call the authorities and try to find the thief through the proper channels, is it not?”
Eleanor noticed her cousin’s eyes shift to his right, where Sarah should have been seated. His fiancee had to leave early this morning to help tend to an injured relative. As a result, Cousin Harrison looked less enthused today and perhaps felt lonely.
She understood how that felt. Anthony’s absence was getting harder to deal with because of all that had happened since he left.
For many weeks now, they had worked together to banish Cecil Phillips from their lives. It felt strange to do anything now without his companionship and support, especially where Cecil was concerned.
How much she missed Anthony was almost unsettling. She ached to touch him and feel him awaken her body again. Just the thought of him brought those cravings rushing back. But they were stronger now because of her love for him. Eleanor did not doubt that.
Yet her nerves were still high concerning whatever Anthony needed to tell her about his life that had to be said in private. Hopefully, what he would soon reveal wasn’t something that would tear them apart.
“Lord Whitfield, I understand your concern. But if we don’t have proof to show the authorities, how will Lucy and Lord Charter look if they accuse Mr Phillips and we are wrong? We have to see what’s inside that box. If he isn’t hiding anything incriminating, I will let it go. I promise.” Eleanor looked pleadingly at her cousin until he smiled.
