Page 27 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

“Thank you.”

Before either could say more, Georgiana entered.

She came in too quickly, pale and visibly distressed, with a folded sheet of paper crushed in one hand. She stopped when she saw them together.

“He has written again. Mr Rowland.” The words came unevenly. “I did not answer his first letter. I swear that I did not. I have kept my word, Selina. I have not spoken to him or even acknowledged him in the street. But this letter is different. It does not ask me to… I cannot explain it.”

Selina crossed to her and gently removed the paper from her clenched hand.

“Sit down.”

“I would rather stand.”

“Then stand. But take a breath before you attempt to tell us anything more.”

Selina unfolded the letter.

It did not ask Georgiana to meet Rowland. It informed her that she would meet him. If she refused, the letters she had written during the spring would appear in a scandal sheet under her full name: every foolish, intimate confidence entrusted to a man she had believed understood her.

Selina read it twice. The paper was cheap and the hand accomplished, though several letters appeared unnaturally formed, as if the writer had attempted to disguise them. The reverse was blank.

Georgiana watched her face. Nathaniel had moved to the middle of the room but came no nearer.

“This is no longer a private correspondence,” Selina said. “Whatever Mr Rowland’s original intentions may have been, he is now attempting to frighten you into obeying him. He is using your letters because they are the only means of influence he has left.”

Georgiana wiped her face with the heel of one hand. “What am I to do?”

“Nothing tonight. You will not answer him, destroy anything or attempt to meet him.”

“I had no intention of meeting him.”

“Good. Then you have already made the most important decision.”

Some of the panic left Georgiana’s expression, though the hurt remained.

“May I see it?” Nathaniel asked.

Selina carried the letter to him. “Read it, but we shall not question Georgiana further tonight. Whatever answer we make can wait until we have considered it properly.”

Nathaniel read the letter in silence. His expression did not change, but the paper became very still between his hands.

“At least he was foolish enough to put the threat in writing,” Selina said.

“Yes.” Nathaniel folded it carefully along its existing creases. “That was a mistake.”

Georgiana looked from one to the other. “You believe we can answer it?”

“I believe he has given us evidence,” Nathaniel said. “And I believe you did precisely the right thing by bringing it to us.”

The words appeared to steady her more than reassurance would have done. She drew herself upright.

“Then tell me what I must do.”

“For tonight, nothing,” Selina said. “Tomorrow, the three of us will decide how best to proceed. Nothing will be done without your knowledge or consent.”

Georgiana looked between them. “The three of us?”

“Together,” Nathaniel said.