Page 33 of When He Was a Duke
“I’d like you to keep a close watch on her after his arrival. As for me, I’m digging around, hoping to find something that will save her from him. I’ve hired a detective. Surely there’s something scandalous in his past that will get him arrested. Or perhaps, with this new constable, we could prove the nature of White’s and Wentworth’sbusiness partnership.”
“Baron White is his partner? The illegal brandy?”
“You know about that already?”
“I saw the operation happening in the middle of the night.” For a second, an image of the man with the riding whip came to mind. Was that White?
“What do you know about the smuggling?” Sebastian asked.
“I’m not allowed to see that side of his business. Lord Wentworth made it clear that should I poke around, I will pay for it with my life. When I went to the new constable, I got the feeling he was suspicious of what Wentworth is really doing. Unlike Pritchard, he isn’t on Lord Wentworth’s payroll. However, I feel certain Wentworth has threatened Constable Stephens, just as he has me.”
Sebastian described the man he saw the night he’d witnessed the operation unfolding. “Is that Baron White?”
“Yes, that’s him.”
“That’s who he wants to give Rose to?” Sebastian shuddered.
“It’s security for him. If his partner is married to his daughter, there is less chance for betrayal.”
“Right. Of course.” It was all coming together in his mind. Sebastian stared at Hale, shaking his head. “You surprise me, Mr. Hale. A great deal.”
“As do you, Sebastian Ashford.”
Hearing his real name uttered made him want to weep. “This has defined my entire existence since I was twelve years old. Until today, I’ve felt no hope that I would be able to do what I set out to do.”
“We’re going to make this right. You’ve come this far, haven’t you?”
“As have you.”
“Please, keep close watch on Lady Rose. Once the houseguests and White appear, things will grow chaotic. Easier for White to compromise her in one way or another.” Hale pulled his hat further down hisforehead and stood. “Keep your eyes and ears open.”
“I will.”
Sebastian watched him walk away, stunned by this turn of events. Did he dare allow himself to hope?
Chapter Eight
The next morning,Rose managed to sneak yet another book from the library and take it out to Sebastian before she had to prepare for the arrival of the houseguests. She’d chosen a popular romantic novel calledThe Sorrows of Young Wertherby Goethe. She thought, however, as she crossed the lawn toward the rose garden, that perhaps it was too bold of a choice. After all, it was about a young man falling desperately in love with a woman he could never have.
No, she told herself. It was fine. They were not falling in love. She was simply being kind to the unusual gardener who desperately longed for reading material. It was nothing important. Nor was it strange that she’d kept his handkerchiefs and hidden them in her bedside table, pulling them out to put under her pillow before she fell asleep at night.
No, nothing untoward about that whatsoever.
He was currently watering the roses when she arrived. He straightened, giving her his usual greeting. “Lady Rose.”
“Good morning. I’ve brought you something. I shan’t be able to bring you anything else for the next few days. All the houseguests arrive today, and I’ll be busy.” She sighed, wishing it were not so.
“Will Baron White be one of them?”
“Yes. He will.”
“I’ve been asked to keep a watch over you,” Sebastian said.
Her breath caught, and she took a small step back. “What? Bywhom?”
“Mr. Hale. He’s concerned for your safety. Given Baron White’s reputation.”
Stunned, she clutched the book to her chest as if to shield herself. “Oh. I didn’t know Mr. Hale understood the danger.” How had he known that White had nearly assaulted her?
