“Only two days ago,” Lady Violet replied, her voice a little quieter now even though no one was nearby. “Lord Wilcox evidently insulted Lord Highcroft, calling him a cripple and other such things, which I think is quite awful!”
“I can confirm that he did do such a thing,” Amelia interjected, seeing Lady Violet’s eyes widen. “Evidently it has not reached the ears of society but I was standing with Lord Highcroft when Lord Wilcox said such things to him. It was shocking and I made my displeasure quite clear, I can assure you.”
Lady Violet blinked. “Goodness, how awful.” Her lips pulled into a soft smile. “I think Lord Highcroft is an excellent gentleman, I must say. I do not even notice the slight limp andhe is certainly not a cripple!” Her eyes flashed suddenly. “And even if he were, that would not take away from his character!”
Amelia nodded in agreement, noting the interest that she both heard and saw in Lady Violet’s voice and expression. Could it be that she had a quiet affection for Lord Highcroft?
“Well, apparently the Duke of Ashbourne took very badly to this insult and the day after, in Whites, he strode across the room, grabbed Lord Wilcox by the throat and offered terrible threats should he dare say a word about Lord Highcroft again!”
Amelia closed her eyes briefly, a sigh tugging up through her chest. “I see.” She knew in that one moment, everything that the Duke and she had built by way of improving his reputation upon society had crumbled into dust. It was not as though she believed that everything which Lady Violet told them had happened just as she had said, but even the rumors were enough to damage him irrefutably.
“I am sure that the Duke of Ashbourne had every right to defend his brotherandhis family name.” Charlotte sent a sympathetic look toward Amelia, perhaps realising the frustration which now rushed through her. “It may not be as bad as you have heard, Lady Violet.”
“Oh, undoubtedly it is not exactly what took place,” Lady Violet agreed, quickly, “but all the same,somethingtook place.”
“Something that does not put the Duke of Ashbourne in a particularly favorable light,” Amelia sighed, rubbing a line at her forehead. “I am sorry to hear it.”
“It may be that thetonthink it understandable that the Duke of Ashbourne should have behaved so,” Lady Violet suggested. “After all, hearing that Lord Wilcox said something so very dreadful about Lord Highcroft is greatly shocking.”
Amelia nodded slowly but despite Lady Violet’s reassurances, felt herself sink slowly into a melancholy. She had begun getting to know the Duke of Ashbourne a good deal betterand she certainly could not imagine him grabbing Lord Wilcox by the throat in such a dark manner! Even though he was still heavy in his expression, his character had changed a great deal these last few weeks. Could it be that there was this genuine anger, this explosive frustration which could bring Lord Wilcox to injury? She shuddered lightly, despite the warmth of the sun.Mayhap there is a side to the Duke of Ashbourne’s character that I do not know. Mayhap he can be violent.
“No.”
Both Charlotte and Lady Violet looked to her at once and Amelia flushed, her face hot. “Forgive me, I was thinking aloud.”
Charlotte smiled. “You were thinking that the Duke of Ashbourne could not possibly have grasped Lord Wilcox around the throat in the way that Lady Violet has described – not that I think you speak ill, my dear friend, but only that what has been told to you is not the full truth.”
“I was, yes.” Amelia let out a small sigh. “Though I am sure that he came to the defence of his brother. After what I heard Lord Wilcox say to Lord Highcroft, evenIwas ready to strike him!”
“It is awful,” Lady Violet murmured, quietly. “Lord Highcroft does not deserve such things spoken about him.”
“No, he does not.” Amelia smiled at her friend. “I shall speak to him directly, I think. I – ”
“There is your opportunity.”
Amelia came to a sudden stop as, coming around the path just ahead of them, came the Duke of Ashbourne, walking beside his brother. Both of their expressions were grave, their heads close together as they spoke. Amelia’s stomach flipped over and she caught her breath as the Duke’s eyes caught hers, only for him to come to an immediate stop.
“Lady Amelia.” Coming forward quickly, the Duke inclined his head. “I am very glad to see you. I should… forgive me.”Clearing his throat, he smiled at Lady Violet and then to Charlotte. “Good afternoon to you both.”
“Good afternoon,” they echoed, though Amelia looked to Lord Highcroft rather than to the Duke.
“Lord Highcroft, I believe that Lady Violet would very much like to express her concern over what Lord Wilcox said of you of late.” Seeing the surprise jump into both Lord Highcroft and the Duke’s expression, she spread her hands. “The rumours are already spreading across London, I am afraid, though Lord Wilcox does not come off particularly well.”
Lady Violet immediately began to speak to Lord Highcroft, her words quick and her voice passionate, while the Duke of Ashbourne reached out and caught Amelia’s hand – though only for a moment – and just long enough to catch her attention.
“I was to write to you.” He heaved a sigh and ran one hand over his eyes. “I had hoped that it would not be spread through society but my mother heard something this morning and fear now that I am to be let down in my hope.”
“I believe so.” Amelia looked up at him, searching his face. “Did you grab Lord Wilcox by the throat and attempt to choke him?”
The shock on the Duke’s face was so stark, Amelia was embarrassed to have even suggested it.
“My dear lady, I did no such thing!” The Duke’s face grew red, his voice a little more fervent as he came a fraction closer to her. “I would not strike a man simply because I did not much like him or because he had spoken an insult or two against my family.”
Amelia put out one hand to his arm. “Forgive me, I ought not to have asked such a thing. I should have known that you would not have done so. In truth, I did doubt it though that is, I am afraid, the rumours which are currently spreading through London.”
The Duke’s eyes went to where her hand rested on his, only to then pull up to her face as she dropped her gaze. “I am sorry that there are such rumours. That is not what I did, though I will admit to grabbing the man by his lapels and warning him to keep his insults away from Williamandfrom myself. I warned him that if he continued, then I would have no other choice but to call him out.”
Amelia did not much like the idea of the Duke and Lord Highcroft standing with their pistols, ready to shoot at Lord Wilcox and he at them but, all the same, she could understand his desire to protect his family’s name and reputation. “I see.” Her shoulders lifted and then fell. “Though that is not the same as grabbing someone by the throat and throwing threats to him.”
