Page 81 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

“You are fortunate.”

“I have always thought so.”

Selina examined Dunmore’s accounts.

“Can we prove the later money was mine?”

“Enough for any honest purpose. The amounts are compatible with your known income, and Mr Dunmore can attest that the sums were delivered by you or on your instruction. More importantly, Lord Merrow would bear the burden of establishing his allegation that they came from concealed estate property. There is nothing here which does so.”

“And if he makes the accusation before people who do not wait for burdens of proof?”

Petherick’s expression hardened slightly.

“Then we make certain the simple facts are simpler than the lie.”

That evening the papers occupied most of Nathaniel’s study desk.

Selina stood beside him arranging them into an order only she understood.

“The codicil first,” she said. “Never begin with the sentimental answer when a legal one will do.”

“Is that instruction intended for Petherick or me?”

“Both of you.”

“I suspected as much.”

She set Dunmore’s account beneath it.

“The jewels were mine. The sale was lawful. The payments came from my own money. Everything after that is explanation, not defence.”

“And Mrs Loxley?”

Selina’s hand stopped upon the papers.

“She is not evidence unless she chooses to be.”

Nathaniel looked at her.

“I will not have her brought into this merely because her existence would make Giles look cruel. He has already made use of one woman who did not consent to being part of his scheme.”

“Georgiana.”

“Yes.”

Nathaniel nodded.

“Then we do not approach Mrs Loxley unless there is a reason.”

“Exactly.”

***

The reason arrived the following morning.

Giles’s card came openly, in the same cold copperplate Selina remembered from family correspondence years before.

Bassett brought it to the breakfast room.