Richard did his best to contain his impatience that evening as he awaited Caroline’s arrival at the Bosfords’ musicale. While he still hadn’t received word from Whitehall as to the contents of the message he’d taken from the duke earlier, he knew in his bones that it, along with the other one Wayfair had passed, would prove his guilt.

If only he could share that with Caroline so she’d know the duke would soon no longer bother her or her family.

Rather than take a seat in the many chairs set before the pianoforte and string instruments on the small stage at the end of the room, Richard remained standing by the door, waiting for Caroline and her family. He studied the gathering crowd again to make certain he hadn’t somehow missed her arrival.

“Aberland.”

Richard turned to find Wayfair nearby. The glare the duke had given him earlier in the day paled in comparison to the one he used now. The sight nearly made Richard smile. The idea that the duke was uncomfortable in any way pleased him to no end.

“Wayfair.”

He started to glance away when the duke spoke.

“I don’t know what you’re about, but I’ve had enough.”

“I have no idea to what you’re referring.”

“Everywhere I go, there you are. Since the Southbys’ ball, you’ve been nothing but a thorn in my side.”

“Why ever would you think that?” Unease shifted inside Richard. Though he welcomed a confrontation with the man, he didn’t want to anger him while he could still harm Caroline and her family. Nor did he want his intelligence work exposed.

“Jeremy Brant.”

“Who?” But Richard knew very well of whom Wayfair spoke. The annoying man from the shipping yard office who’d blathered excuses about the Majestic. Richard knew the money paid to Gold had come out of Wayfair’s pocket. He’d discovered the connection during his search of the duke’s desk.

“When Brant described his visitor to me, I knew exactly who was behind the threat.”

“Threat? I merely requested clarification on the status of the Majestic. False information had been delivered that the ship and all its cargo were lost at sea.”

“I know blackmail when I see it. Now the authorities are checking every ship owned by that company. My company.”

Richard turned to face him fully, his anger resurfacing at the harm he’d caused Caroline and her family. “Anyone who cheats investors should be thoroughly investigated, regardless of their title. Don’t you agree?”

The rage in the duke’s eyes was undeniable, as was the flush that rose in his face. “Do not ever presume you can best me at anything. In case you’re unaware, I hold certain information on your fiancée’s father that would ruin him. No doubt the blow would put him into an early grave.”

An uneasy feeling in the pit of Richard’s stomach swelled until he nearly choked. Yet he needed to buy time. Time for Whitehall to break the codes in the messages, giving them proof to convict Wayfair.

He needed the duke to keep his silence until then. Where did that leave him? Protecting Caroline and her family at all costs. That didn’t mean he liked the idea of cooperating with Wayfair for any reason. “Be careful how you tread. The consequences could be dire.”

“I know exactly where I’m treading. I only hope Miss Gold doesn’t come to harm as I move along.”

“Are you threatening her?”

Wayfair lifted one shoulder. “Accidents happen. How terrible if she were the victim of one.”

Richard clenched his jaw, feeling the duke’s vise close tight. He could think of no way out of this without causing harm.

“Wouldn’t it be a shame if the pretty lady died a painful death? Tsk. Tsk.”

His mind grew numb at the image the duke painted.

The nasty smile on the duke’s thin lips confirmed he knew he’d won. “I need you to do something for me this evening. It will only take a few minutes of your time, but know I’ll be closely watching to see how well you perform the task.”

Richard didn’t bother to answer, only waited to see what the man would say next.

~*~

Caroline found Richard’s tall form immediately upon entering the Bosfords’ musicale. She’d been anxious for this moment all day. After much thought, she’d decided to tell Richard exactly what the duke had said to her last night. If she wanted Richard to trust her with his secrets, she couldn’t continue to keep her own.

Including the most important secret of all—that she loved him.

She’d come to the realization that she wanted a real marriage with him, and that meant honesty. Starting out on the right foot should’ve come the night on that garden terrace, but due to the unfortunate circumstances in which they’d found themselves, everything had gone awry.

She intended to end that this very night by stealing a few private minutes with him to tell him what was in her heart.

But the light that filled her at the sight of him was quickly extinguished.

He spoke to Lady Mintford, holding her gloved hand before him as though it were a precious object. His head was bent toward her, a charming smile on his lips.

The lady’s eyes widened at whatever Richard had said, and she tilted her head back as she laughed. Then she reached up to pat Richard’s cheek, her forward behavior causing a lump to form in Caroline’s chest.

“Isn’t that Aberland?” her mother asked. “Why is he speaking with Lady Mintford in that manner?”

Caroline swallowed back the hurt rolling through her. If her mother had noticed his inappropriate behavior, then Caroline couldn’t pretend she misinterpreted the situation. Why would he act like that? “I have no idea.”

“I’ve never cared for that woman. Go see what he’s about, Caroline.” Any other time, the determined glint in her mother’s eyes would’ve amused Caroline. But not this time. Not with dread sweeping through her.

Caroline approached the couple with a sinking heart, terribly confused, feeling like an outsider. How could this be the same man who’d held her so tenderly, so passionately in the carriage last evening?

Richard glanced up, guilt tightening his expression as he cleared his throat. “Oh. Hello, there.”

The knowing look in Lady Mintford’s gaze did nothing to increase Caroline’s confidence. The way the pair looked at her, she had the distinct impression a jest or two had been spoken at her expense.

Doing her best to hide her hurt, she curtsied. “Good evening. I was hoping to find you here,” she said to Richard, choosing to ignore the lady.

“Oh?” His arched brow made it appear he was surprised at her statement. He turned back to Lady Mintford. “Would you excuse us for a moment? I need to have a word with...her.” He raised the lady’s gloved hand to his lips, his smile back in place when he looked at the woman.

Caroline could hardly breathe. She wanted to go back out the door and come in again, certain she’d entered some strange world where everything she secretly feared had come to life before her very eyes. If she tried again, surely she’d see all of this was a terrible mistake.

The coolness of his eyes as he at last glanced at her again squeezed her heart. “Over here should suffice.” He pointed toward a corner of the room where a large potted fern would allow them limited privacy.

She noticed that he didn’t touch her, didn’t tuck her hand into the crook of his elbow and hold it tight. Hadn’t he done that just last night?

“I’ve decided it best if I move on,” he said the moment they reached the fern.

“What?”

“I thought perhaps this,” he paused to gesture between them, “might work, but I’ve realized I prefer more sophisticated and experienced women. Women with less family drama.” The sympathetic smile he gave her squeezed her heart even more. “I’m certain you understand.”

“No. Actually, I don’t.”

His expression sobered. “I think we’ve both known from the start that there would never truly be a wedding. Don’t you agree?”

She stilled, her mind and body numb. At last, she nodded, the movement jerky. She couldn’t deny the truth of that.

“Of course, you should blame me when you call off our engagement. With my reputation, no doubt you’ll receive much sympathy. Perhaps even an offer from someone with wealth. That’s all you’ve ever wanted, isn’t that right?”

She stared at him, trying to process what he’d said. But it was what she saw in his eyes that made no sense. The raw pain in their depths had her reaching for him, to tell him she knew this was all a lie. That he should stop.

He jerked back as though he couldn’t bear her touch. “This is for the best. You’ll see.” With a quick nod, he left her standing there alone.