Judith sighed. “I know he’s lonely, but I also fear that his haste is just to fill that loneliness. I do not think it is about the woman. I do not even think he cares about her. He simply wants to find a wife.”
Joanna offered a warm smile. “Then there is a chance that he might not marry her. If he finds that he cannot stand her company, then I am sure he will end things. Or he might meet someone he prefers.”
Judith’s shoulders relaxed a bit. “Thank you, Joanna. I didn’t mean to sour the mood with my worries.”
Joanna laughed inwardly. “No need to apologize. Friends share each other’s burdens. He might just meet someone better at your cousin’s coming out ball.”
Judith appeared somewhat appeased, but before they could talk more, Rosy reappeared, a letter in hand.“Jo, a messenger came. A letter has come for you. From His Grace!”
Joanna rose at once, her heart thumping as she took the letter. She ripped it open, and a smile spread across her lips.
My dearest Lady Joanna,
I look forward to seeing you at the ball this weekend. I wish to thank you for your compassionate counsel, for it has truly helped me overcome my recent tribulations.
I hope you will save me the waltz.
“I can tell it is a note from His Grace,” Judith noted.
Joanna nodded. “It is. And it is exactly what I needed to hear,” she said and then looked back down at the note, her heart growing ever more certain that if ever there was a man she would trust, it was Kenneth.
CHAPTER 25
The following Saturday evening, the carriage rumbled down the cobblestone streets, the rhythmic clattering of hooves providing a backdrop to the serious conversation within. Kenneth and Leonard sat facing each other, the dim light from the lanterns casting shadows on their faces as they delved into the troubling revelations they had unearthed.
“Leonard, every patron I have spoken to insisted he made generous donations to Lord Carlisle for the orphanage. They even showed me receipts, just like Charles did, but not a single penny has reached the orphanage coffers,” Kenneth said, frustration etched on his forehead. “The same is true for those you spoke to, yes?”
Kenneth already knew the answer, but he had to be certain.
Leonard nodded grimly. “It is so, I am afraid.” His brow furrowed in contemplation. “And that’s not all. I’ve been discreetly inquiring about Lord Carlisle’s business affairs. Hisvineyard has suffered substantial losses, enough to force him to consider selling it at a significant loss. Yet, miraculously, he paid off all his creditors in the past few weeks.”
Kenneth sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I wish I could say I am surprised. Up until recently, he did very well for himself. So, it all adds up. I hate to say it, but it seems that he’s been diverting the funds meant for the orphanage to save hi failing business. The man’s been playing us, telling us paradiddles and tall tales from start to finish. And I was blind to it all.”
The weight of the revelation hung in the air as the carriage continued its journey toward the ball.
Leonard leaned forward, his voice low and measured. “Kenneth, it’s not your fault. We were all suprised by his deception. The important thing now is to expose the truth and rectify the situation. He must be ousted and have nothing further to do with the orphanage.”
Kenneth’s gaze dropped to his hands, a sense of self-blame settling in. “I should have been more vigilant. I let myself be distracted and focused on the wrong things. The orphanage needed me, and I failed them.”
Leonard reached across the carriage, placing a reassuring hand on Kenneth’s shoulder. “You can’t blame yourself for Lord Carlisle’s deceit. We’ll confront him tonight at the ball, bring his treachery into the light. The orphanage deserves justice, andwe’ll make sure it gets it. All of London will know what he has done, so this can never happen again.”
“It is what needs to be done. We cannot allow him to get away with this. The donors have been understanding, this time. But they do not know the truth—not all of it.”
Kenneth had felt it best to simply act as if there had been an error with the accounting rather than confess his suspicions. He knew Leonard was right in his assessment—Lord Carlisle had to be exposed. The trouble was that this would affect Joanna and her family, and he’d been hoping to avoid causing her harm.
Leonard studied Kenneth’s face, concern etched on his features as if he knew what he was thinking about. “Kenneth, what is the matter? You look troubled beyond what we just discussed.”
Kenneth looked up. “I have been thinking about what to tell Joanna. I even thought that perhaps this sudden decision to marry her off to Lord Worcester was part of the plot to get money. He is rich, after all.”
Leonard wetted his lips as the carriage rounded a bend.“As did I. I do think that talking to Lady Joanna about all of this is a good idea. She deserves to know, especially if we’re going to expose her father. It could impact her and her family deeply.”
Kenneth sighed, nodding in agreement. “You’re right, Leonard. I’ve been avoiding it, but it’s time. Joanna deserves to know, and I owe her the truth. If I’m going to confront her father tonight, she needs to hear it from me first.”
Leonard leaned back in his seat, his eyes thoughtful. “And what about the future? Have you decided what you want to happen, especially concerning Lady Joanna? Things will be awkward after you expose him.”
A small smile played on Kenneth’s lips. “Funny you should ask. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, Leonard. I have to admit that Joanna has been my pillar of strength through all of this. She’s helped me face my fears and confront my past. I wouldn’t have gone to see Lord Barring, found out about Edward’s memorial, or learned about the late Marquess’s guilt over Edward’s death if it weren’t for her encouragement.”
Hearing that the late Marquess of Barring had borne his guilt over Edward’s death for the rest of his life had provided Kenneth with a strange sense of companionship. He’d always felt alone, certain he had caused his brother’s death and was solely to blame. Knowing there were others out in the world who felt the same had made him feel less alone. And it had taken Joanna and her words to inspire him to not fall into a pattern of hiding away.
