Page 29 of Tempting the Scarred Duke

“And a woman to think about,” Albert put in, rising, too. “Where are you going?”

Matthew’s mouth curved into a smile at the thought of Diana. “Now that you are here, I fancy a walk.”

“And you think I will walk with you?”

He glanced down at Albert’s leg. “I do not see you with a cane. Are you not the one who says that walks are good for your leg and my mind?”

Albert grinned and followed him out, but when they reached the front hall, they found Sawyer pacing anxiously. He bowed when he saw them and said, “We have more trouble, Your Grace.”

Matthew felt his expression harden and his choler rise to dangerous heights. “What is it this time?” he asked grimly.

“There is a fire in the second warehouse,” Sawyer said, and Matthew’s blood froze.

Chapter 15

Matthew rode to Ramsgate as fast as he could with Sawyer, and the fire had just been put out by several fishermen when they arrived. “Is anyone injured?” was the first thing he asked the men.

“No, Your Grace,” one man answered. “There was no one inside when the fire started. My wife saw smoke from our house and woke me from my nap, then I gathered the men to put the flames out. Also sent word to Mr. Sawyer.”

“I thank you for your efforts, Mr…”

“Ward, Your Grace,” the man supplied. “Angus Ward.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ward.” Matthew made a note to reward these men for their help. He walked into the charred shell of the building, expecting to find the burned remnants of his merchandise but all he found was an empty space.

“The fire could not have done this,” he said to Sawyer.

“Yes, Your Grace.” Sawyer wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, his eyes darting nervously around them, and he seemed to be growing more agitated by the moment. “The place was emptied before the fire was started. Whoever did this wanted to have the merchandise and destroy the building.”

Matthew thought the perpetrator wanted him to feel the true impact of his actions and they appeared to have succeeded because Matthew stood rigidly, rage coursing through his blood. He had to act quickly and cleverly, but he had to calm his rage first, and he did that by taking several deep breaths.

Turning to Sawyer, he said, “Find men to guard all three warehouses at all times and inform the magistrate’s office. Let the inhabitants know the consequences of cooperating with a thief, and if they know anything, they should come forward before any penalty is placed upon them.”

“I will see to that, Your Grace.” Sawyer bowed. “I sincerely apologize for my negligence. I should have kept a better eye on this place.”

Matthew supposed he should remove his steward from the suspects, and he did, but he was gravely concerned because he did not know who was doing this to him. Mr. Newton had informed him that nothing was out of place in London, but he needed more confirmation, not because he did not believe Newton, but so he could be certain. Now all of his businesses were at risk.

He remained in Ramsgate for a while before he returned to the castle, and when he did, he went straight to his study to write to his offices in London, wishing there was a quicker way for them to receive his message so this matter could be solved without further delay.

Through all that had been occurring, Diana had remained in his thoughts, and when he finished writing the letters to be posted to London, he pulled out a sheet of parchment and began to write to her.

Dearest Diana,

Passion makes me write to you, and I know that I am not feeling this alone. I saw in your eyes that I am in your thoughts as much as you are in mine. I want to see you again. I chuckle as I write this because I think you would wonder why I could not simply call upon you.

I feel there is an unseen barrier between us, but I cannot bring it down alone. Diana, I want you to help me erase the wall between us. Will you meet me where the willows dance tomorrow afternoon?I truly hope you will agree to meet.

Yours,

Matthew

As he was folding the letter, he thought of her writing back to him. If she did, he would know the truth about Dee from her penmanship. However, that was no longer his goal, because Diana was quickly finding her way to his heart, whether she was truly Dee or simply her cousin.

Chapter 16

The grand clock in the front hall chimed twelve times, and Diana threw back her covers and jumped out of bed, finding a shawl and wrapping it around her shoulders. She picked up a lantern before she quietly let herself out of her bedchamber and padded across the hall and down the stairs on bare feet.

Margaret’s study was locked when she tried to open the door, and Diana wondered what she was hiding inside. Setting the lantern down and retrieving a pin from her hair, she maneuvered the lock until she heard a click that told her she had succeeded. She slipped inside and quietly closed the door, then glanced around the room to find where Margaret was keeping her dowry.

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