Page 28 of The Duke of Scandal

“Not fair? Do you suggest this was your father’s doing? We were rich when your father was alive.”

“Papa was very selfless. Perhaps too selfless. He gave to others at his own family’s expense,” Harriet pointed out. “Which defeats the object of giving. What is the point of giving so much that you simply replace the needy person you were trying to help?”

“What a wicked thing to say! Even if it were true, your father was a gentleman. He was expected to maintain a certain outward appearance. And had the duties of a landlord to his tenants.”

“Simon has the same duties. He is trying to do the best he can,” Harriet reproached.

Lauren waved her objections aside. “You have both tried to keep it from me. But, I have my sources. Oh, whatever will become of us?”

At that moment, she looked up at Harriet sharply. “Where did you vanish off to this evening?”

Harriet rolled her eyes. “As I’ve explained, mama, I went for a walk, to explore the grounds.”

“In whose company?” Lauren persisted.

“My own,” Harriet said.

“You were seen in conversation with the Duke earlier in the evening,” Lauren said.

“I met His Grace and we had a brief conversation,” Harriet admitted.

Was it my imagination or did Simon’s interest perk up at that moment?

“And?” Lauren persisted.

“And nothing. We discussed one of his ancestors. Then he was called away after offering me a tour of his house,” Harriet replied.

“Oh, it was too much to hope for anyway. That our salvation would come from the Duke.”

Lauren lay back with the back of her wrist against her forehead, looking up at the ceiling. Harriet was surprised, believing that her mother was oblivious to the financial woes of the family. The old lady had more perception than she had given her credit for. Simon was watching Harriet and she shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny.

“Well, mother. Those hopes were premature. I had a brief conversation with the Duke only.”

“It is perhaps for the best. Lady Olivia told me that she believes her nephew is up to his old tricks, though she had believed he had grown out of them with him assuming the Dukedom.”

“Old tricks?” Harriet asked.

“The Duke had quite a reputation as a young man,” Lauren said. “And this evening, if Olivia is to be believed, he received a sharp rebuttal from one of the young ladies present.”

“Rebuttal?” Simon asked, sitting forward in his seat.

“Yes. Rebuttal,” Lauren repeated, making a slapping motion with one hand. “His lip was split.”

She whispered this last part as though it were the most scandalous part of the news she had to impart, eyes going wide. Harriet wanted to laugh but at the same time felt a thrill of fear. The rumors were already circulating as to the Duke’s injury. They had it wrong at the moment. But what might happen if they began to reach closer to the mark?

“I wonder who,” Simon said.

“As do I,” Harriet replied absently.

Have I behaved recklessly? Finding a husband was my purpose for attending this dratted event so that I might help my family. It would be foolish to see the Duke as a potential husband, I am certainly not the right match for a man such as he. But, if it were to get out that we had been alone together. Or that he had kissed me!

After a while, Lauren had drifted into a fitful sleep. Harriet and Simon had left the room quietly.

“Did you see nothing of who the Duke was speaking to?” Simon asked suddenly.

They were walking through an anteroom that connected the drawing room with the main hallway of the guest wing.

“I did not.”

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