I’m happy to report that Lady Marjorie Acton is awake and faring well. She has enjoyed a light supper, and seems no worse for the wear. Her memory is intact and her mind quite sharp, which are both a relief to us all, but other than the expected aches that would accompany an accident such as hers, she seems to have suffered no lasting effects!
While that news will be pleasing to you, I have to confess that I am quite taken aback by rumors that your engagement to Lady Catherine Howard is impending. While not the choice I would have made for you myself, of course I would never deign to interfere. However, it did come as quite a shock.
Please send word to me of how your legal matters may be getting along. You know how the ton does love to talk, so I know not what to believe and what to dismiss. As always, I will lend my help and support in any way possible.
Your eternally faithful mother,
Lady P. Lanercost
Evan stared at the words upon the page, unable to comprehend their meaning. The flowing swirls of his mother’s hand moved before his eyes as he struggled to read them again and again. Whatever could she mean? Who was betrothed? Surely not him?
He sat at his writing desk immediately and took up his pen, intent on setting his mother’s mind at ease. Apart from the implications of a rumored betrothal, he had assured his mother he would always seek her counsel in these matters. She was clearly pained by the false news of his affairs, and he had to set it right for her sake.
He knew at this hour—even if he dispatched a rider to deliver it straight to her—she would most likely not receive it until the following day. Still, though she might not hear his reply for such a long time, he would rest better knowing he’d responded.
Evan rang for his valet to take the letter to a rider, but when his servant appeared, he wore a grieved expression. Evan’s heart leapt. Had there been further news about Lady Marjorie’s condition?
“What is the matter?” he demanded sharply.
“My Lord, there is a visitor here for you. He claims that there are charges to be brought against you in the matter of Sir Charles Acton’s horses.”
The valet handed Evan the card he’d retrieved from the butler. He’d not dared pass along the message through someone who was not so familiar with the Earl as he was, knowing the butler served this London household and knew the Earl less.
“Thank you. Please inform him I’ll be down at once, and then if you would be so kind, help me to dress in something more appropriate for greeting a guest who brings bad news,” Evan answered with a weak smile.
When he was ready, Evan descended the stairs and looked to the guest. Rather than a magistrate or constable, he was surprised to see another member of the peerage, one who’d come quite a long distance.
“Your Grace?” Evan asked, shaking the Duke’s hand warmly after his butler had announced the Duke of Fenworth. Gregory smiled sadly, and Evan wondered what this gentleman could possibly have to do with the legal matters.
“I came to London as soon as I learned of the matter at hand. I’m sorry to say there are terrible things being said—probably at this very moment, if I had to venture a guess—about you and your estate.” The Duke looked embarrassed at his own confession.
“Yes, well… I’m sure in all the years you’ve been a resident of our fair county, you have most likely learned never to listen to idle talk,” Evan began, but Gregory could tell he was not so certain.
“You don’t have to put on a brave face for me, my boy,” the old Duke said. “Your Father was one of the finest men I’ve ever known, and if there is some trouble afoot, I aim to protect you the best I can.”
“That is quite generous of you, and as always, it gives me a clear thrill to hear one speak so highly of my Father. Especially someone of your station, Your Grace,” Evan began, but Gregory waved him off.
“Please, Fenworth will be fine. But I assure you that these are not just lofty compliments, though you would be well-deserving of equal praise from what I hear. You see,” the Duke continued, “I have borne witness to an act of theft from Charles Acton’s stables, and I know it was not your doing.”
The first feelings of hope that Evan had experienced since leaving for London began to stir in his blood. He dared not be too joyful yet, though.
“You do? How can that be?” he asked.
The Duke explained in detail how an unnamed young lady had required his assistance after a horse thief had absconded with her. Evan listened intently to the tale, growing more and more concerned over the crime but elated over the testimony.
“Then this is all the proof I require! Your honest word, Fenworth, would clear my name!”
Gregory shook his head sadly. “I’m afraid that I cannot provide that proof. You see, the only way I could give such a statement to the authorities would be if I were willing to divulge the identity of the young lady. She would be ruined, her prospects erased before they were ever introduced. I came here today only to inform you that I know you are innocent of any slander Acton has been spreading, and I will do all that I can to convince anyone who matters.”
“You would let me face these charges in a court?” Evan asked quietly, straining to remain polite. “You would allow me to perhaps face the gallows for horse thievery over a young lady’s marriage prospects?”
“I’m afraid that I have given her my word,” the Duke replied. “I swore to her that no one should ever discover her mistake, and an honest mistake it was.”
Evan stared blankly, thinking this through. What life was he living that someone’s opportunity for a prosperous marriage outweighed the literal freedom of another human being?
“I see. I appreciate that you are a man of your word, even over something that I find rather trivial. It is good to know there are still men of our caliber who mean what they say,” Evan said finally. “But I have a request to make of you: if it came to my very freedom or my life, would you divulge your proof to a court under sworn secrecy? And in return, I will agree to marry this young lady myself to protect her from any scandal and save her good name?”
The Duke looked at Evan for a long time, trying to judge whether or not he could make such an agreement. Finally, he nodded.
