Page 77 of The Duke of Deceit

His heart stuttered. Was this really what he was going to do—step back into the room as if the past two days had never happened? By doing that, he would erase the exquisite hours he’d spent with Jess, as if he’d not found the chance for salvation in her arms. He would be going back to the empty existence his life had been before she entered it.

If he did that, it would simply destroy him.

Jess wanted him to prove himself, to bring all the secrets to light and show the world that he was truly good. Just upend his world as he knew it.

But then, hadn’t she already done exactly that? She had brought true goodness into his life and washed color and warmth through his cold, black world. He could never go back to the empty life he’d led before.

He’d be damned before he lost his chance at a future with her.

“Martin!” he shouted over his shoulder.

The young footman hurried back down the hall toward him. “Yes, Your Grace?”

“I’ve changed my mind. Tell Dalton I’m going to need a hot bath, shave, and change of clothes. I’ll be paying several visits this afternoon, and I need to look the part.”

“Yes, sir!” The footman scurried away.

Taking a deep breath, Lucien finally stepped into the room, crossed to the windows, and pulled open the shutters. The morning sun cascaded into the room and brought with it instant light, warmth, and a golden glow. It was the promise of a brand-new day.

He smiled to himself as he turned back to survey the room, which no longer looked anything like how he’d left it. He took hope in that. After all… “How hard can it be to move the earth?”

If that was what it took to win over Jess, then that was exactly what he would do. Heaven help the man—or woman—who got in his way.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Lucien stood infront of a dockside tavern so nondescript, it didn’t even have a sign hanging over the door, and let out a heavy breath. His goal sat inside.Thank God.In the two days since leaving Ealing and parting with Jess, he’d put himself through hours of hell.

But the next few minutes might just prove his salvation.

“Wait here,” he called up to the driver of his town coach. He didn’t wait for an answer before shoving open the tavern door and stepping inside.

Immediately, a rancid smell of fish, stale ale, and smoke engulfed him, and he paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim light inside, despite the large windows on both ends of the tavern that bowed out to resemble the aft end of an old pirate’s galleon. A hush fell over the room at his unexpected appearance. But he couldn’t blame any of the dockers and seamen who cast him a curious glance from beaver hat to Hessian boots. His sort rarely stumbled into a place like this. If Lucien had his way, he wouldn’t be here for long.

He approached the bar and placed a coin onto the board.

Behind the bar, a mountain of a man with arms as big as two fully grown sheep wiped his hands on the dirty towel tossed over his shoulder. “What’ll ye have?”

“I’m looking for a man who works for the East India Company who’s staying in one of your rooms. He’s sailing for India this evening on theJava.” Lucien paused, then shared the name that had taken him two days to discover. “Henry Graham.”

As soon as he’d returned from Ealing and properly dressed, he’d ridden directly to the East India House on Leadenhall Street in the City. He knew men who worked there, and he was determined to call in every favor he was owed to gain their assistance in tracking down the man who’d fathered Amanda’s baby. Jess wanted him to prove his goodness, and he couldn’t think of a better place to start.

Time was not on his side, not with Amanda leaving soon for Ireland and the father leaving perhaps permanently for India, so he’d waited at Leadenhall for hours before finally leaving, only to return the next morning, the next afternoon, and the next morning after that. He’d sworn to make a nuisance of himself if necessary. The information Jess had given him was scant at best, yet it was enough that, finally, one of the men on the East India Court of Directors was able to narrow down the list of potential fathers to just one man. A man who at that very moment was waiting here at the East India Docks for his ship to set sail. Lucien had arrived within a hair’s breadth of the ship raising anchor and now felt closer to having the future he wanted than at any point since he had proposed to Jess.

Ifhe could convince Graham to do the right thing, marry Amanda, and make the baby legitimate. The irony was not lost on Lucien that he was planning to do to Graham the exact same thing Jess had been trying to do to him.

“Aye, he’s here,” the innkeeper answered. “Up ’n his room.”

“Which room?”

The man crossed his beefy arms and stared icily down at Lucien. Clearly, he had no intention of sharing that informationwith a stranger, even one who was well-dressed enough to prove he didn’t belong here.

“All right, then.” Lucien placed a second coin onto the counter. “I’d like to rent one of your private dining rooms for the rest of the afternoon.” Although he didn’t plan on being there nearly that long. “With whatever good port you can provide. Lots of it.” He placed another coin on the bar, which would more than cover the expense. “If you would be so kind as to tell Mr. Graham that I need to speak with him?”

“And who be ye?”

“The Duke of Crewe.”

The man’s eyes flared. Contritely, he removed the towel from his shoulder, tossed it onto the bar, and collected the coins. “Your Grace.” He jerked his head toward the hallway leading off the common room. “This way, sir.”