Page 19 of If Not for the Duke

“I’m going to call on Rothwood now rather than wait until calling hours this afternoon,” he told Bernie. Better to have what could be an unpleasant discussion over and done. Face the consequences and move forward.

While Sterling hadn’t done anything wrong, advising those who would be affected by the project would’ve been a courtesy he’d appreciate in their position. He should’ve told them in advance about his intentions. Now, that ship had sailed from the dock and taken the opportunity along with it.

Damn Clarke and his ego. Sterling was left to manage the situation as best he could.

“Excellent idea,” Bernie agreed. “I’m going with you.”

“Do you think that wise?”

“I owe Miss Wright an apology.” She lifted her chin. “In fact, I believe you do, too.”

“Do you?” Never mind that he thought the same.

“We both failed to tell her the truth.”

“It wasn’t as if we lied.” Why he felt compelled to argue was beyond him.

“An omission is a lie, Sterling.” She waited with an expectant look, practically daring him to disagree.

“None of this would be necessary if Clarke had followed my orders.” He couldn’t help but mention the point.

“True, but we must play the hand we’ve been dealt. Allow me to change.” She hurried from the room, leaving him to consider how much his sister had matured while she’d been away at finishing school.

What could he tell not only Rothwood, but Miss Wright, that might lessen their upset? He knew the duke hadn’t been an admirer of David Wright or his treasure-hunting endeavors. But he also knew Rothwood wouldn’t appreciate the unexpected news, especially since it would most likely upset his granddaughters.

Their carriage arrived at Rothwood House with Sterling still uncertain what to say. He requested a private word with the duke, while Bernie asked to see Miss Wright.

To Sterling’s surprise, he was directed to the small reception room to wait, and Bernie was escorted to the drawing room.

As he pondered the reason he hadn’t been shown directly to Rothwood’s study, the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor of the corridor had him turning toward the open doorway to see Lena Wright walking past.

She paused at the sight of him, then came directly toward him.

“Your Grace.” She curtsied, her eyes positively chilly. Her pale blue gown, along with her cool expression, brought to mind an ice princess—a beautiful one.

“Good afternoon, Miss Wright. I hope the day finds you well.” He clenched his jaw, realizing he must sound like an ass for bothering with pleasantries. He should’ve led with an apology.

“It does, indeed. And you?” The glare she gave him suggested she didn’t care in the least how he answered.

“Well, thank you.” He tried to tamp down the guilt rising within him by clearing his throat to no avail. “I would like to offer my apologies for the unfortunate article inThe Times.”

One elegant brow lifted. “For the article, but not for withholding the truth?”

Too late, he realized the wording of his apology was not what he meant. “I had thought to advise you and your family of the dig once the project was well underway.”

“It sounds as if it already is. I don’t appreciate being used to gain information on Oak Island by either you or your sister, Your Grace.”

Damn if he didn’t admire her spirit. So often, ladies he met were so overwhelmed by his title that they barely met his gaze, let alone disagreed with him. Not Lena. She met his gaze and shared her poor opinion of him. That intrigued him more than it should. “That was never our intention,” he said with true remorse.

She was too polite to scoff, but her expression told him she wanted to. Bernie was going to be devastated if she lost the chance to have a friend in Lena. He needed to do what he could to make certain that didn’t happen. His sister had few true ones, and she already liked and admired Miss Wright.

He took a step closer, surprised at how much he wanted her forgiveness. “Miss Wright, please accept my apologies for not being forthcoming.”

Lena watched him, her silence suggesting that she had yet to decide whether to forgive him. He didn’t question the urge to explain further but, instead, followed it.

“Clarke wasn’t supposed to share the information publicly so soon. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that I failed to disclose our intent to dig on Oak Island.”

“No, it doesn’t.” She held his gaze without hesitation, obviously waiting for him to say more.

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