***
By the end of the night, Charlotte was even more confused. Whispers were spreading around the room to some degree, but mainly among the men. She had asked Malcolm to try and ascertain what was being spoken of, but all he could tell her was that some rumour had erupted about the late duke’s financial situation.
Charlotte paid little mind to it until her father came to retrieve her. She had managed to avoid Kilby for much of the night. Indeed, the man seemed to have disappeared altogether, which had been a rare blessing.
“I am ready to leave,” Lord Wentworth said stiffly. “Let us depart.”
His cold manner disturbed her, but she bid farewell to Malcolm and Elizabeth all the same and followed her father out of the ballroom. As she did so, she caught a glimpse of the duke standing beside his mother at the side of the room. He looked pale, his face blank, speaking to an acquaintance. She could hear the whispers even now. When she arrived, the ball had boasted a happy and excitable atmosphere, but now it seemed tense and filled with speculation.
As they climbed into the carriage, her father rapped angrily on the roof, and they rolled away without so much as a backward glance.
“You are a fool,” he spat, shocking her so entirely that she recoiled from him.
“Papa?”
“You realise that after you danced with the duke, Lord Kilbyquitthe ball entirely? You are a headstrong, stubborn girl. No matter your feelings on the matter, he is the best match you could ever hope for. Do you truly believe a man like the duke would pursue you? He has shown no interest until now, andgiven what was being spoken of tonight, he will make no claim upon any woman in the future.”
Charlotte stared at him. “What was being spoken of?”
“Never you mind. It is not for a lady’s ears. You will reconcile with Kilby, and hopefully, he will give you a second chance.”
Frustrated beyond bearing, Charlotte scoffed loudly. “It was adance, Papa. Many women dance with more than one eligible man when they have a suitor. If Kilby is so sensitive to such things—”
“You will make amends,” he snapped. “Is that understood?”
Charlotte did not answer turning to stare out of the window, furious at the injustice and unfairness of it all. She did not care how Kilby felt or what her father wanted. All she could think about was how pale the duke had seemed.
What has been said about him? And is any of it true?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Colin entered the breakfast room and came up short, astonished to see his mother sitting at the table. It was still early, and she usually rose late, particularly after the strain of organizing the ball and hosting her guests late into the night.
He sat down and helped himself to some toast, noting that she was reading the latest scandal sheet, her hands trembling, her face pale.
Finding a duplicate copy of the paper on the table, Colin picked it up and began reading. The article was focused solely on the duke and his legacy. The writer insinuated that Colin was following in his father’s footsteps, hinting at shadowy dealings and questionable character.
Colin wanted to scrunch the paper between his fingers and throw it into the fire but focused instead on his mother’s face. She had laid down her copy and was looking at him grimly. It was one thing to investigate the matter privately, but now, with his name splashed across the papers, Colin felt he was being watched wherever he went.
His mother reached for his hand, and Colin took it, waiting to see what she might say or what she might ask him.
“Your father had many good qualities,” she said simply, “but I believe toward the end of his life, ambition clouded his judgment.” Her thumb stroked across his wrist as her eyes grew sad.
Colin stared at her as the fire crackled in the grate. He could smell the eggs on his plate and the aroma of toast rising from the table, but his appetite had evaporated.
“Youknewabout the investments.” It was not a question; he had already deduced the answer.
The dowager duchess swallowed. “He did not tell me much, but he spoke of some elements that had not gone the way he had wished.”
Colin withdrew his hand. “Were those the words he used? Because he has lost thousands of pounds. Thousands, Mother.”
She sighed. “I did not know the details.”
“Are you aware of this partner he took on? Do you know who he was?” Colin asked urgently.
“Partner?” she asked, looking bewildered.
“There was a third party, someone he was working with, who appears to have led him down multiple wrong turns that have led to the loss of a great deal of money.”
