Kenneth’s brow furrowed in disbelief, his eyes fixed on Judith, urging her to continue.
“They decided to break the arrangement with my father and instead set their sights on trapping you. Joanna, aware of her father’s financial troubles and the stolen funds, was tasked with distracting you. The idea was to manipulate you into courting her, all the while giving Lord Carlisle the time to fix his financial mess and repay the stolen money to the orphanage. Once everything was in order, Joanna would end your courtship.”
Kenneth’s shock deepened, and a mix of anger and betrayal flashed in his eyes. His Joanna? A liar? No, it could not be. Their conversations and quiet moments flashed before him. “This can’t be true. Joanna would never?—”
Judith interrupted him, her tone regretful but resolute. “I understand how hard this is to believe, but I found out about their scheme during my visits to Joanna and Sally for tea. When Lord Carlisle broke his arrangement with my father, I grew suspicious. I couldn’t bear the humiliation my father faced, so I decided to renew my friendship with Joanna and Sally to find out what was truly behind it all. It was a way to get into their house, to find out the truth.”
“Over the past few weeks, I visited them often, and during those visits, I overheard conversations, managed to sneak into Lord Carlisle’s office, and discovered his ledger. It detailed the stolen money, where it went, and more. I also convinced Sally and Rosy to confide in me. That’s how I pieced it all together.”
“But Joanna never told you any of this? She did not admit to being involved?” Kenneth pressed, aware of how desperate he sounded.
Judith looked at him with obvious pity, which made him feel more miserable. “She admitted to knowing about her father’s actions, but I overheard enough from others and was told enough by others to piece together the truth. I kept it all to myself because I felt it was not my place to interfere, but when I saw the state of the orphanage and the way Joanna feigned shock at it all, I knew I had to tell you,” she said and then heaved out a sigh.
Kenneth felt a whirlwind of emotions—disbelief, anger, and an underlying sense of hurt. The intricate web of deception wovenaround him slowly unraveled, revealing a truth he could never have anticipated.
Could this be true? But, hadn’t he suggested the fake courtship? How could Joanna be involved if he was the one who suggested it? But… he’d only suggested it because she’d appeared so miserable. And hadn’t they met one another again at the park only because her puppy went missing? He’d observed Joanna with Rudy several times since, and he knew how much she cherished the dog. There was no way she had let it out of her sight so carelessly. Could it be that she’d sent the puppy in his direction to force another meeting? A meeting during which she’d look miserable, so much so that he’d want to help?
And hadn’t Lord Carlisle approached them with Lord Worcester by his side, almost as if he wanted Kenneth to see Joanna and Lord Worcester together? Yes, he had. Lord Carlisle wanted Kenneth to see Joanna miserable, so he’d approach her again and be lured in.
No! No…
His imagination was taking over his better judgment. Kenneth knew Joanna. These were his innermost fears talking. His worry that he’d be deceived and trapped into a loveless marriage had led him down this path. Surely Judith had misunderstood. And yet…
“Your Grace,” Judith said, pulling him out of his thoughts. Her tear-streaked face reflected the emotional chaos that mirroredhis own. “I beg yourpardon. I should not have said anything,” she cried, her voice thick with tears as she got up.
She hobbled toward the door, and Kenneth instinctively followed her. He couldn’t bear the thought of her entering the ballroom in such distress. She reached the door and put one hand on the frame to steady herself.
“Lady Judith, you were right to tell me,” he said quickly as he came to a stop beside her.
“I shouldn’t have told you,” she mumbled, her voice quavering. “I never meant to make you miserable.” She peered through the slightly ajar door into the hallway. After a moment of contemplation, she turned back to him, her expression resolute. “There’s another reason I had to tell you all of this,” she confessed.
Kenneth looked at her warily.“Lady Judith?—”
“I admire you greatly, Your Grace,” she said hastily as if she had to get the words out before changing her mind. “Seeing how strong you were when you rescued Joanna from the fire, witnessing the golden kindness in your heart, I couldn’t stand idly by, knowing you were being lured in by a liar.”
Kenneth’s jaw dropped, for he’d not expected—nor wanted—to hear such a confession. Had she just declared her love for him? But he hardly knew her.
The longer this conversation went on, the more confusing it became. Alas, before he could react, Judith leaned in and kissed him. Her dry lips felt strange on his, and her proximity was unpleasant. The sickly sweet scent of her perfume was like an assault on his senses, and he backed away a step. Alas, she clung to him like a woman drowning in the rough seas.
“Kenneth!” a voice came, followed by a sharp intake of breath that echoed in the hallway.
Kenneth’s heart sank as he pulled away, turning to see Joanna standing there, her eyes wide with disbelief and hurt.“Joanna!” he called. But it was too late.
Joanna spun around and dashed down the hallway, leaving him to face the turmoil within his heart alone.
CHAPTER 28
Joanna rushed across the ballroom, past a stunned Sally, and burst out into the night. The cool air attempted to dry her tears, but they flowed too freely to have a chance.
“Joanna!” Sally called after her, but she darted around the corner, her gown swaying in the wind. She had to get away.
“Lady Joanna?” the coachman’s voice rang from behind the fence nearby, where he’d been standing with some of his fellow coachmen, passing the time while their employers celebrated inside. “Has something happened?”
“Take me home, Clifford,” Joanna ordered before tears robbed her of her voice again.
She climbed into the carriage and pulled the door shut. With one swift movement, she yanked the curtains over the window before collapsing onto the seat.
She had been right to be wary. She’d been right to doubt all along. Oh, what a cake she’d made of herself. What a fool she’d been. The sense of betrayal felt like a dagger to her heart.
