Page 61 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

“I know that they did. I need to go to London, and when I get there, I am certain that they are going to want money to make this all go away. It is no coincidence that Cynthia is the one who they have done this to. Not only is she my friend, but she is the one who helped me get out of the city. They hate her as much as they hate me. I need to go to London to sort all of this out.

“No,” said Arthur.

“But, I have—”

“I only mean that you will not go alone. We shall go to London together and sort this out. If it takes some money to have them leave you alone, then I will give it to them. This needs to end before someone gets hurt.”

CHAPTER29

Back To London

It took them a few days to return to London. The horses and carts had been packed quickly, and a few of the staff had been brought along with them. Margaret had made sure that Victoria was not among them. She was still angry at the maid. The duke had a residence in London that he often used for visiting the city for extended periods, and seeing as they had no idea how long they were going to be in the city, they had brought some staff to operate the modest home until they were able to return to York.

As soon as they got to the residence, Margaret asked to be taken on to the women’s prison. She still could not believe that her friend was in jail. Cynthia was the sweetest woman, and now she had become embroiled in Margaret’s drama all because she had helped.

Arthur had offered to go with her, but Margaret insisted on going by herself. She did not know what was going on yet, and Cynthia had asked for her only. Something was going on, and Margaret knew that it was best to play it safe until she knew exactly what.

It was all surreal. Margaret was led through into a small room where she could wait. After ten minutes, Cynthia was brought out to meet with her, but with iron bars between them. Margaret wanted nothing more than to run over and hug her friend, but she was not able, nor would she be allowed to.

“Cynthia,” was all that Margaret could say.

“They have not let anyone come and visit me. Not my family—no one. I was overjoyed when they told me you were here. I knew you would come, Margaret. I knew it. But I still don’t understand what is going on. Have you spoken to your parents yet?”

“No,” said Margaret. “But, I am going to go straight there after this and talk with them.”

“And sort this mess out?” asked Cynthia with some hope.

“I don’t know,” admitted Margaret.

“You have to,” pleaded Cynthia. “I have not been in here for long, but I fear that I will die in here, Margaret. I can’t stand it much longer. You have to find out why they are doing this.”

“Oh, I think I already know why they are doing this,” said Margaret.

“You do? Tell me. Please, why have they done this to me.”

“It is to get back at me. Perhaps to get back at you too. I will sort this out, Cynthia.

“Why do they want to get back at you?”

“They wanted me to marry an awful man, my father’s cousin, but I left. You helped me to escape London, Cynthia. I am eternally grateful for that, but I fear that I have put you in danger by asking for your help. I did not know this would happen, you have to believe me.”

“I do,” said Cynthia. “Of course, I believe you.”

“They found me in York. That was my mistake also. I sent you a letter, and they found it.”

“A letter?” asked Cynthia. “I never received a letter from you. I always wondered why you had not written yet. I feared that something had happened to you.”

“They took the letter and they came to find me. They wanted me to come back and marry my father’s cousin, and when I would not, they demanded money from me. The duke has a sizable fortune, but I would not let him pay them off. Perhaps I should.”

“A duke?” asked Cynthia. “What have you been up to?”

Margaret could see that her friend wanted to hear of her travels, and she knew it would distract from her predicament, but she needed to help her friend first and foremost.

“That is a story for another time,” said Margaret. “A long story for when you get out of here. I thought I was rid of my parents when they returned to London, but they must have had other plans. They could not have done this alone. If they managed to accuse you of a crime you did not commit, they must have had to pay people off. Gerald is in on this too.”

“So, you believe that I am innocent?” asked Cynthia.

“I don’t even need to know the details to know that you are, Cynthia. If you and my parents are involved, then you are the innocent party. What have they accused you of?”

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