While she did not doubt that Edward felt some level of guilt about what he had done, the man was so stubborn that he would never admit it. And in so doing, his and Millicent’s relationship might never recover.
“Do it for me,” Celestine said gently. “Please, Edward. She is hurting. She even believes that you and I…” A soft chuckle in an effort to diffuse the tension. “She thinks we are working together and against her. I know you care for her, as I know you have her best interests at heart. But until she knows it too, I fear she might never forgive you.”
He said nothing, his head still bowed.
“If you want her to listen to you, this is how you do it. Remember…” She smiled, even if there was no point. “I know a thing or two about young women. Sometimes, it is better to admit you are wrong, if only to bring them to your side. Trust me, Edward. That is all I ask.”
Again, he said nothing.
But Celestine watched him closely, she listened to his rugged breathing, and she was certain that his defenses were weakening. It brought her much relief, proof that he was willing to listen to her, and that he trusted her opinion.
Perhaps this marriage is as strong as I believed?
Only then, he scoffed and his body turned rigged once again.
“I don’t have time for this,” he said darkly. “Not now. Not when I’m dealing with a storm that might ruin us all if I don’t do something.”
Celestine blinked. “What… what does that mean?”
“This came with the rising sun.” He snatched one of the documents off the desk and thrust it toward her.
Even before she took it, Celestine knew it to be the local paper. And if that was the case, then she could guess easily enough what had caused Edward’s anger to turn toward such darkness.
“The scandal sheets,” he said as she looked at the paper. “No need to guess where they go their story either.”
“The Duke from Hell…” She read the title, but it was too dark for him to make out the small print. “Lord Grundon?”
“Who else?” he snarled. “Oh, and what a story he has spun. If that article is to be believed, my gaming establishment is being used as a den of operations for local street thugs. That I am their head!” he barked. “Money they owed me, or that I blackmailed from them…” He sneered. “As it claims, I am responsible for half the crime in London.”
“But that is not true!”
“Of course it isn’t true.” He looked at her finally and she gasped. Even in the dim light, the fire behind his eyes was unmistakable. “But it is in print now, likely read by half theton. True or not, it is now considered fact.” He reached out and snatched the paper back. “So, forgive me if I do not waste my time on Millicent’s tantrums. She will come around. And until she does, well, perhaps it is better if she is kept out of sight for a while.”
“Is that such a good idea?” Celestine offered, her mind racing to find a way through this. “To do that will only confirm the truth of the claims.”
“As if I have a choice.”
“Why not write a reply?” she said. “Tell your own side of the story?”
He looked at her as if she had lost her mind. “And say what? That I own and operate a gaming hell is bad enough. When it was not spoken about, such things were happily ignored. But to admit to it publicly will only make things worse.”
“Then what? What is there to do? Hide? Hope this goes away?”
Finally, Edward smiled, but it brought Celestine no comfort. It was sardonic and wicked, the type that a madman might produce before committing a most foul deed.
“I attack the story at its source, is what,” he said darkly. “Lord Grundon is the cause of this, so if I bring him down, I might beable to link his ruined name to the story and neuter its effect entirely. I have already started looking into it…” He gestured to the piles of documents before him. “As you might expect, Lord Grundon is no saint, and I intend to prove it.”
“And then what?” Celestine pressed.
“What do you mean?”
“Say this works…” She spoke with a soft voice, careful not to feed into Edward’s temper. “Say you manage to ruin Lord Grundon’s reputation. That you even manage to convince thetonthat your gaming establishment is not what they think. What happens then?”
“I told you,” he said. “This is about Millicent. So long as my reputation suffers, so does hers. But if I can fix it, then her Season will not be over. Still, I might be able to salvage something out of this mess.”
“That is not what I meant.” Taking a chance, Celestine stepped around the desk so that she could be closer to Edward. He was angry. He was vengeful. But he was also alone, and she needed to show him that she was there for him. “My meaning is, you might save Millicent’s reputation but until your own relationship with her is fixed, it won’t make any difference.” She rested a hand on his shoulder.
He looked at her hand, and then at her. But not with compassion or understanding. Rather, it was as if he did not understand a word of what she said.
