She exhaled, shaking her head. “It was a long time ago, before I even met Ernest. Annabelle introduced me to a group of poets, musicians, and artists. They believe people should be free to enjoy all sorts of pleasure and to experiment with different things. I joined them only twice. Annabelle scared me. In these pictures, I...we were enjoying ourselves. That was all. These pictures were meant to be a game, nothing more. I guess Annabelle gave them to Lord Quentin.”
Maddie plonked down onto the bed. “What a disaster.”
“I’m sorry, Maddie.” Verity let out a sob. “I know my behaviour was horrible, and you have every right to judge me, but I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
Perhaps before making love with Hector, Maddie wouldn’t have understood what had urged her sister to dally in such illicit activities. But now, after having experienced the pleasure Hector gave her, she couldn’t so easily dismiss her sister’s behaviour. “I don’t judge you, my dear. You weren’t betrothed to anyone. I think about Hector, and—” She glanced at her sister. “You said you’ve never seen a naked man when you spotted Hector in the snow.”
“I told the truth. See?” She showed her a picture. “It’s not as terrible as it is. I mean, if people knew about these pictures, it’d still be a disaster, but we aren’t fully naked. It’s a trick. The gentlemen aren’t naked. I’m not naked as well. We are in our undergarments, and...oh, Maddie. I’m so sorry.” She dropped herself next to Maddie, crumpling her dresses. “We simply touched each other a bit, but not engaging in actual intimate activities.”
Maddie rubbed the spot between her eyebrows. “What will Ernest say if he sees these?”
Verity bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know, but if we want to help Hector...I guess I have to tell him the truth. But even if he doesn’t care, the scandal would be too great. He wouldn’t…” She sobbed and covered her face. “He’s a solicitor. His career would be ruined, and he worked so hard to get it.”
Maddie wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Let me talk to Hector again. Perhaps we can find a solution.”
* * *
The ideaof becoming a duke and improving the lives of others had grown within Hector’s heart to the point where he’d become eager to start a new life. But after seeing Maddie’s sad and defeated face, he wasn’t sure about what to do. He couldn’t give her any further pain, but at the same time, the lives of many people depended on his decision. Yet how could he hurt the woman he loved? Hell. These questions tore him apart, and Ernest’s frustrated attitude didn’t help.
Sitting next to Hector in his parlour, Maddie fiddled with her gloves and stared at her lap. “It’s true. My family’s future would be compromised if those pictures are made public.”
“What about the lives of those families?” Ernest asked, steepling his fingers. He exhaled. “I’m sorry Maddie, but what do you consider more important? The lives of two hundred people working in miserable conditions or a society’s scandal that will be forgotten in a matter of months?” His voice rose, causing Maddie to shiver. “I told you that I’d marry Verity all the same. I don’t care what scandal hits you or your family. My feelings for her won’t change.”
Maddie shuddered, and Hector wondered why Ernest’s honest reassurance didn’t please her.
Hector glared at the solicitor. “Ernest. There’s no need to push Maddie.”
“Dammit, Hector!” He slammed a fist on the law table, causing the cups to tremble. “Weren’t you the one who hated society’s rules? Who believed manners were overrated? Well, scandals are part of those rules you so blatantly broke many times in the past months.”
Maddie inhaled deeply. “I don’t know what to do. That’s why I’m here. I realise helping the workers is a more pressing matter, but see, the scandal might last for a few months. The damage would last forever. My family and I will become outcasts. We can’t survive here without help. And most importantly, even my sister will be ruined. I…” She shook her head.
Ernest huffed. “Nothing can keep me away from Verity.”
A muscle in Maddie’s face twitched. “I know it’s not my decision to make, and despite what I just said, I want Hector to do what he thinks is best for him and his family. The fact Lord Quentin plays with Hector’s affection for me is too cruel. But Hector should decide independently from my personal tragedy.” She lifted her teary gaze to him. “Hector, my love, whatever you choose, I’ll support you and won’t think ill of you if you decide to carry on with your title. Nothing will change between us.”
Ernest threw a hand up. “Finally, some sense.”
My love. Did she realise what she’d said? Because Hector’s brain was stuck on that word. He took her hand, feeling her pain. She loved him. “I cannot cause you and your family more harm than I’ve already done.”
“Hector.” Ernest regained his tense posture. “You saw those people, how they live. You saw how Lord Quentin treats them.”
Hector forced himself to turn his attention to the solicitor because if he kept staring at Maddie, he’d kiss her right there and then. “Can’t we find a way to help them even though I won’t be the duke?”
“Another way?” Ernest scowled. “Since your disappearance and Lord Robert’s death, I’ve been working relentlessly on finding a solution. Years. I tried petitioning the politicians, raising concerns among the citizens, and protesting. And what did I get? Nothing. Children get sick in that factory. Young mothers faint from exhaustion. Getting rid of Lord Quentin is the only solution.”
Maddie discreetly wiped away a tear. “I’m distraught over what happened to them. Hector, you should do something. We can’t let Lord Quentin abuse those people.”
“Can’t you leave London before the scandal erupts?” Ernest exhaled. “What we’re trying to accomplish with Hector’s work is more important.”
Maddie bit her bottom lip. “You’re right. I can leave London and see what happens.”
A pang, so sharp and deep to be like a stab, hit Hector’s heart. He was sure Maddie would support him. Her selflessness was one of the reasons he loved her. But there had to be something he could do to help her. “I’ll renounce my title.”
“Hector—” Maddie and Ernest said together in two different tones. Maddie’s was concerned, Ernest’s was furious.
“We’ll find another way to help the workers. I have Lord Naylor’s support. He’s close to the queen. Surely, this can help our cause.”
“Don’t you bloody understand?” Ernest thumped a fist against the table again. “It’s not only the workers. It’s your family’s legacy, the money Quentin is squandering to pay for his darkest pleasures. Is this what your family worked for? Your parents and your brother are rolling in their graves. And your mother, one of the finest ladies I’ve ever met, isn’t even buried in holy ground.”
