“So it is true!”
Verity swallowed loudly. “Auntie, really, you shouldn’t say such things. I’m afraid she is right, Mrs. Pennyhen. Lord Northcott has been staying with us since the bridge was flooded in the storm two days ago. But there should be no concern. Even if he is unattached, my aunt is here. We also have our servants. There shouldn’t be…” she trailed off as Mrs. Pennyhen shook her head with a dramatically morose expression.
A heavy weight settled on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She put a hand over her ribs, falling silent as she focused on her breathing.
“Why is the village talking about our private business?” Eugenia demanded. “We leave them alone well enough.”
Mrs. Pennyhen cleared her throat. “So the… the Iron Duke is here?”
Everyone calls him that. And for what? Perhaps the man is cold and unfeeling and strange. Dangerous, even, as is anyone with an ounce of power. I heard something about his wife’s passing some years ago, but it is hardly my concern. I pray.
Verity thought of the argument she had with him upon Daniel Holcome’s arrival. They hadn’t been improper, she could tell anyone, but it would have appeared rather scandalous. Even as she prayed that all was well, her nerves had her on the edge of her seat.
“We said he is,” Eugenia said with a scowl.
“Well, everyone knows about it, and they are wondering why he is here. With you. After all, he is still young, is he not? He has no heir, and since he was widowed three years ago, perhaps… There is talk of him speaking most passionately with Lady Verity.”
A chill ran down Verity’s spine. She swallowed hard. “Passionately? We were arguing.”
“Verity is passionate by nature. We will surely have to set everyone straight,” her aunt muttered. “What a dull effort this shall be.”
“It might also be futile. Arguing with a lady already raises eyebrows. But arguing with a duke…” Mrs. Pennyhen trailed off to impress upon them the severity of the situation.
Gulping, Verity shook her head. “No, it wasn’t like that. We only?—”
Her aunt shot her the hardest look she’d ever seen, silencing her at once.
Oh dear.
As the two older women discussed their options, Verity hung her head. Now the entire village was talking about her. Mrs. Pennyhen mentioned that even London had caught wind of their situation.
No one remembered that Eugenia also resided there, that the Iron Duke and Verity had never been alone. Her aunt was so rarely seen outside of the manor that many forgot about her. She was not the best chaperone, they knew, though it had never been a concern.
Until now.
Horror crept through Verity’s bones inch by inch until she was forced to face the truth. Because nothing would save her now. Her father was considered a rebellious madman and her aunt a rich eccentric. In turn, she feared she was left with nothing.
Would anyone truly believe that nothing improper had happened since the Duke had arrived here?
She glanced around, her breath shaky, realizing she didn’t know what she could do.
A good life was supposed to be laid out for her. A respectable match, for example. She had been waiting for a chance to rebuild her life and start anew. But now, all of her hard work over the last four years was falling apart.
Her eyes stung. Balling her hands into fists to suppress the countless emotions rising within her, she closed her eyes and slowly inhaled.
This cannot happen. I don’t care what the Duke does, but I must have him fix this problem at once. I cannot be shunned here. I will not have it!
Storming off, Verity searched half the house before making her way to the stables, where she finally found the Duke. She ensured that not a drop landed on her dress as she approached the corner where he was saddling his horse.
“There you are.” She caught her breath and scowled at the bags tied to his saddle. “You’re leaving?”
Slowly turning to look over his shoulder at her, the Duke furrowed his brow. “Surely, this is what you desired most. The weather has cleared, and I cannot stay here. There’s anotherbridge ten miles south. I should reach it before dark. There’s no reason for me to stay.”
The venom in her mouth soured the words she spat out. “Except for the fact that I am ruined now.”
Cold satisfaction spread through her as the Duke dropped his hands to his sides and slowly turned around to face her. She lifted her chin. The man stared at her like he was waiting for something, but she was not going to do anything until he took responsibility for his actions.
“What is it you speak of, My Lady?”
