Page 82 of The Duke of Lies
Verity was certain of it. And she was becoming more and more certain it had something to do with Rufus. “I know it is. How would my father even know to hire such people?”
“It’s often done through retainers,” Lord Carlyle explained. “They may have a connection to the criminal classes. To expedite matters, it would be best for us to interrogate your father’s staff.”
“Do you have time to help with that? Please, I’m quite desperate.” Verity hated to beg, but she’d do whatever it took.
Lord Carlyle smiled. “Of course. We’ll need to occupy your father, however.”
Verity narrowed her eyes. “I’ll dispatch a note to him immediately and ask him to come here.”
“You’re a smart woman, Your Grace,” Lord Carlyle said. “Make him think he’s won. Perhaps you’ll even get him to admit his crimes.”
Verity doubted that, but oh, she would try. “Please just save Kit. Beau and I need him back.”
* * *
While Diana promisedto keep Beau occupied upstairs, Verity waited impatiently for her father to arrive. After what seemed a lifetime, Randolph showed him into the drawing room. He looked as smug and irritating as ever. No, he looked more so. And then he frowned, pitching his entire expression downward as if he meant to push his features from his face. She might have laughed at his exaggeration if she wasn’t so distraught.
“Good afternoon, Father. Thank you for coming. Shall we sit?” She was still shaking, though not as much as before. They had a plan, and, God willing, it would be executed flawlessly. She just had to do her part.
“How magnanimous of you, my dear,” he said cautiously, eyeing her with skepticism. He sat in a brocade chair as Verity perched on the settee. “I expected you to rail at me.”
She clasped her hands together and hoped he couldn’t see her mild tremors. “I wanted to, but I find I’m feeling differently about Kit now. I see he was using me, and that I subjected Beau to his machinations.” These lies came easily as she worked to ensnare her father.
“That’s right. I’m so sorry.” Except nothing about his supercilious demeanor supported that sentiment.
“Still, I don’t want him to hang. I don’t think he killed Rufus—why would he wait six and a half years to return and claim the title?”
Her father seemed to contemplate that for a moment. “I’ve wondered that too, but I doubt we’ll ever know why. He won’t ever tell the truth anyway. I’m so glad you’ve come to your senses. Now that we’ve put that horrid matter behind us, let us speak of the future.”
She couldn’t pretend she didn’t know about his request for funds—not after the response Kit had sent to him yesterday. “You want to know if I’ll provide you with an allowance from the estate.”
“It’s only fair, my dear. How am I supposed to live?”
Within your means would be a good start.She forced a smile so brittle, she felt her face might break. “Yes, well, I do think you could perhaps curb your expenditures somewhat. The money you siphoned from the estate was greatly missed, and many things were ignored over the past seven years since you talked Rufus into hiring Cuddy.”
His eyes narrowed, and Verity knew she was treading close to the edge. “Rufus was more than happy to take my counsel. And allot me funds.Hegave me an allowance.”
“Did he? Unfortunately, I was not aware of his arrangements.”
He sniffed. “I suppose I could take a bit less than I do now.”
“I’m not sure what you mean by a bit, but I’ll pay you the amount in Cuddy’s ledger that was entered beside the sideways cross.”
He coughed and shook his head. “No, no, that’s not nearly enough. That will barely satisfy my…creditors.”
She tipped her head to the side and plunged ahead with audacity. “I did wonder what those amounts were for. The CS was for Cuddy, obviously, but I’m confounded as to the other two. Presumably one of them was what he paid to you?”
He smiled broadly and waved his hand. “Never mind that now. It doesn’t matter. If you’ll just pay me twice the amount as the sideways cross, that will be fine.”
She frowned. “That may be a strain. I’ll need to speak with Thomas.”
Her father leaned forward, his lip curling. “I require that amount, Verity. If you want me to try to keep the imposter from hanging, you’ll need to agree to that.”
She blinked at him, adopting an air of naïvete. “Could you do that? Then I suppose I must agree to your terms. Thank you, Father.”
She glanced at the clock, thinking they hadn’t had nearly enough time. How could she keep him occupied? Standing abruptly, she gave him a bland smile that hopefully disguised her hatred. “I think I require some cheer to improve my mood. I know how much you like to shop. Shall we go to Bond Street?”
He stared at her. “You wish to shop. With me.”
