Page 77 of Duchess By Accident
“That makes no sense! Why on Earth would Lord Bolton need to steal anything? He is one of the wealthiest men in the ton.”
“My dear lady, I am afraid that he is not. In fact, he is completely bankrupt.”
“In more ways than one.” Natalie muttered under her breath.
“Liar!” Lord Bolton yelled. “Lady Winchester, please, you cannot believe this. I am no thief.”
“In truth, Duke Blackwood, I find your claim rather hard to believe.” Lady Winchester pursed her lips, arms folded across her chest. “The state of a man’s finances are hardly a public matter.”
“Indeed they are not, but as you know, I am a rather… diligent man, especially when it comes to investments.” Adrian’s emphasis on the word diligent hung in the air, and a ripple went through the crowd.
“They say the devil always knows.” A woman whispered.
Natalie watched as Lord Bolton continued to flail in Adrian’s grip. It was almost comical, the way Adrian held him like some naughty puppy, feet dangling in the air.
“I would say my investigations into potential business partners are more thorough than most. When Lord Bolton came to me and asked for my investment in his New World Venture, I was intrigued. After all, who would not be at the mention of such high returns?” Adrian gave the gathered men and women an ingratiating smile.
He knows how to use his charm. As a well-bred Englishwoman, she should have felt uneasy at the depths of his knowledge. Instead, her lips curved in unaccustomed, conspiratorial glee.His handsome, calculated earnest smile suggested that they were all in this together.
Natalie reminded herself that he was a master manipulator. Her heart twisted unpleasantly.Yet more secrets.How often would he do this to her? Why had he not told her what he was doing?
“I never asked you for anything. You are pulling this out of your ar-” Lord Bolton began but Duke Caverton cut him off with a concerned look.
“Is there something amiss with the venture, Duke Blackwood? I was thinking of investing myself, but if you have unearthed some reason I should not please, tell me.” Duke Caverton’s eyes were wide, and for a moment, Natalie was sure she saw him smirking. But it must have been a trick of the light.
“There is nothing the matter with it.” Lord Bolton twisted, clearly trying to break out of Adrian’s grip and failing.
The way it made him rock from side to side only served to make him look even more ridiculous. Natalie wondered just how anyone had ever taken the man seriously, but perhaps he looked less foolish when he was not being dwarfed by someone like Adrian.
Adrian was not looking at her, his eyes fixed on Duke Caverton and occasionally flicking to Lady Winchester. Natalie realised he had avoided her gaze this entire time.
“I would like to hear what Duke Blackwood has to say on the matter.” A man stepped to the front of the crowd, his dark eyes narrowed.
He had silver streaked hair, and it was clear the cane he used was just as much a necessity as a fashion statement. Natalie recognised him as the Earl of Ascot, Lord Richard Sutton.
“I invested withLord Bolton thirty guineas for this venture three months ago and was promised I would see a return on my investments within the quarter. Yet every time I have sought to discuss the matter with him, he has slithered away.” Lord Ascot brought both his hands to rest on his cane in front of him.
“Lord Ascot – it is simply that I have been busy. I will of course be happy to give you an update once-”
“Lord Bolton, this compulsion you have for falsehoods is truly worrying. It is like a sickness.” Adrian tutted and shook his head. “I am afraid, Lord Ascot, that you have been lied to.My investigations into the matter have revealed that no such venture exists.”
“What do you mean?” Duke Caverton asked.
“I could find no proof that this venture existed. What I found was far more concerning.” Adrian’s face was a mask of sombre disappointment, and Natalie knew he was drawing the ton into his story with his pause.
She glanced at them, watching as people leaned towards him. Adrian raised his voice. “It would appear that the Marquess had planned to abscond with your funds and create a new life for himself in the New World. He sought to escape the debt his recent court losses and other poor investments have led to by feigning his own demise and then setting up a new life in the colonies.”
“Hogwash.” Lord Bolton spat.
“I trust you have proof of such an outlandish claim, Your Grace?” Lord Ascot frowned.
“Of course. I had hoped to solve the matter privately, but catching Lord Bolton stealing has forced my hand.” Adrian gave Lord Bolton a look that was such a perfect mix of condescension and pity, Natalie had to hide her face behind her hand to keep her smile from being visible. “If only you had come to me with the truth. Perhaps I could have helped you, but instead, you sought to steal from the good people of the ton.”
“I did no such thing! You are making all of this up!” Lord Bolton’s face was white, and though he attempted to sound indignant, Natalie had noticed the way he had tensed as Adrian had detailed his scheme to the members of the ton.
“And why would he do that?” Duke Caverton asked.
“It is not like the Duke has anything to gain by exposing your scheme. By his own admission, he has not even invested any money with you.” Lord Ascot pointed out, his brow furrowed.
