20
Richard stood at the window, arms folded tightly across his chest, as he watched the coach rattle down the drive and disappear around the bend. Theodosia was gone. He should have felt relieved—after all, she had upended his household and undermined his trust. And yet, all he felt was a hollow ache in his chest. A leaden sense of dread settled over him, and with it came the irrational, maddening urge to run after her… to stop the carriage and fall to his knees like a desperate fool.
But he remained frozen, his pride a shackle he could not seem to break.
“She lied to me,” he muttered aloud, though the words sounded less like conviction and more like an excuse.
A voice snapped from behind him. “You are an idiot.”
He didn’t have to turn to know it was his sister. With a sigh, he pivoted slowly to face her. “So that’s how this conversation is going to begin.”
Olivia stood in the middle of the entry hall, her stance rigid, one hand firmly planted on her hip, her expression ablaze withfury and disappointment. “Dosia never lied to you,” she said sharply. “And you treated her with contempt.”
“I don’t know what she told you, but?—”
“She wasn’t protecting Mr. Smith,” Olivia cut in. “Because Mr. Smith never existed.”
Richard stared at her, frowning. “What are you saying?”
“When he came for her, Dosia realized who he truly was. Her sister, Lucinda, was masquerading as a man,” Olivia revealed. “Dosia was trying to explain everything to you, but you wouldn’t give her a chance.”
Richard barked a humorless laugh. “That’s absurd. I saw Mr. Smith myself. He was clearly a man.”
“Lucinda deceived us all,” Olivia countered. “She was determined to keep up the charade. And it worked.”
He shook his head. “Even if that were true, you don’t honestly expect me to believe that Theodosia did not know of it.”
“I do believe it,” Olivia replied fiercely. “She begged Lucinda to confess—to stay and face the consequences. But instead, Lucinda ran. And Dosia was left to bear the blame.”
Richard scoffed. “That is the most ludicrous tale I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s the truth,” Olivia said, stepping towards him. “And deep down, I think you know it, too. Besides, what reason would Theodosia have to lie? What would she possibly gain from it?”
He opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. A moment later, Sterling entered and crossed to the entry, admitting a familiar figure.
“Mr. Crosby,” the butler announced.
The Bow Street Runner stepped into the hall and bowed crisply. “My lord. I bring news.”
Richard’s voice was clipped. “Well? Speak.”
“I followed Mr. Smith after he departed your home lastnight. He went to a coaching inn on the edge of Town. I gained access to his room, only to discover a woman there. Upon interrogation, she confessed to impersonating Mr. Smith. You will never guess who it was.”
Richard’s heart sank. “Miss Lucinda Smith.”
Mr. Crosby’s brows lifted. “So you’re aware.”
“I’ve only just learned the truth,” Richard said.
“Well,” Crosby continued, “she admitted to everything. The idea came to her when she readThe Female Husbandby Henry Fielding. Furthermore, she said she acted alone and insisted that Miss Theodosia had no knowledge of her schemes.”
“And you believed her?” Richard asked skeptically.
“I did,” Crosby said with a decisive nod. “I’ve dealt with liars and criminals for over a decade, and I can usually tell when someone’s hiding something. Miss Smith was adamant and she had nothing to gain by exonerating her sister.”
Richard raked a hand through his hair, making it terribly disheveled. “Botheration,” he muttered under his breath. How could he have been so blind?
Mr. Crosby shifted his stance. “There is some good news. Lady Olivia will be able to pursue an annulment now.”
