Morgan’s brow furrowed further. “Explain.”
Colin leaned forward, his tone dropping conspiratorially. “It seems your bride-to-be’s elder sister was embroiled in quite the scandal. Elizabeth Sutton, now the Duchess of Sterlin, was involved with Sterlin’s younger brother, who—how shall I put it delicately—ran off, leaving her reputation in tatters.”
Morgan stiffened, his grip tightening on the armrest of his chair. “And Sterlin married her to save face?”
“Precisely,” Colin confirmed, his admiration for the Duke of Sterlin’s gallantry shining in his eyes. “And now, by all accounts, he’s hopelessly besotted. No regrets, it seems.”
Morgan leaned back, his thoughts churning as Colin continued. “But now another Sutton, entangled in another misstep? One might almost think it runs in the family.”
Morgan’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he processed the revelation. “Convenient, isn’t it?”
Colin arched a brow. “What’s convenient?”
“That two Sutton sisters find themselves ensnared in situations that lead to advantageous marriages,” Morgan replied, his voice low and contemplative.
Colin laughed again, but the sound was tempered. “Oh, Giltford, don’t tell me you believe this was orchestrated.”
Morgan didn’t reply, his thoughts lingering on the implications of what he’d just learned.
He hadn’t imagined his conversation at White’s taking such a turn.
Society’s endless parade of escapades, he mused, could fill volumes. Ridiculously exaggerated tales of scandal and romance, the sort of books that women seemed to devour with fervent delight. His lip curled faintly at the thought of such frivolity. Still, it was oddly amusing to consider that such stories might turn quite the profit—if they were ever written down.
He began refilling his tumbler, the amber liquid catching the warm light of the room, when a darker thought occurred to him. Could this truly be coincidence? Two Sutton sisters, both embroiled in public missteps, both conveniently leading to marriages with influential men. His jaw tightened. Was this a pattern? A calculated ploy?
His grip on the glass tightened, the idea growing thorns in his mind. Lady Margaret’s flustered demeanor had seemed genuine enough at the time, but now he wondered. Could it have been a performance? A means to an end?
“Well,” Colin’s voice intruded, light and irreverent as ever, “I think you made the right and honorable decision.”
Morgan’s brows knitted, his eyes narrowing slightly. He wasn’t so sure. The Duke of Sterlin’s outcome seemed... fortuitous. But would the same be true here? The suspicion gnawed at him, sharp and unrelenting.
“I made the honorable decision by agreeing to finally feed you free breakfast?” Morgan quirked a brow, his tone dry.
“Oh, I cannot deny that either ,” Colin replied, his grin wide and unapologetic.
Morgan allowed himself a faint smirk, though it didn’t reach his eyes. The thought of returning to his estate brought little comfort, but the conversation with Colin had given him much to consider. He stood, adjusting his coat before offering a brief nod. “Enjoy your evening, Broughton.”
“And you, Giltford. Try not to scowl so much—it frightens the footmen,” Colin called after him with a laugh.
Upon returning home, Morgan’s butler presented him with a note. The elegant handwriting on the envelope was unmistakable: Lady Margaret Sutton.
He opened it swiftly, his eyes scanning the carefully penned lines.
Your Grace,
It is with some hesitance that I write to you, though I believe it is a necessary step given our present circumstances. I would like to suggest that we take a walk together tomorrow afternoon. It seems prudent that we better acquaint ourselves before proceeding further.
Should this be agreeable to you, I await your reply.
Sincerely,
Lady Margaret Sutton
Morgan’s lips pressed into a thin line. A walk? Curious. He set the note down, contemplating the implications. Perhaps this was exactly what he needed—a chance to observe her closely, to discern whether her actions were as innocent as she claimed, or whether there was something more calculated beneath her composed exterior.
He sat at his desk to pen a reply. If you are hiding something, Lady Sutton, I will discover it.
CHAPTER 7
