Page 23 of Unbound Duchess

Ellen’s mind exploded into a messy cacophony of thoughts. She thought of when she’d first met him. Of how he seemed more than ready to strangle her cousin to death just a few moments earlier—and a question came.

“Why are you so willing to help me?” she asked.

Laurence tensed.

“You asked me to,” he quipped.

“No,” she quickly retorted. “Not just tonight. Though, I…”

She swallowed, still astounded at how high the bid had reached- and how he was so willing to pay it.

“I am…extremely grateful that you would part with such a fortune to help me out of such an awful predicament.”

Laurence grunted and looked away, as if he was uncomfortable talking about his wealth. Odd, given that most men of the Ton positively adored showing off their wealth.

“I also meant at the party,” Ellen went on, “You did not know me, but you knew Benedict. Yet instead of being with him, you were in my father’s old study, looking for something.”

“I told you, you flinched,” Laurence replied, his tone growing weary.

Ellen shook her head, not believing that was the only reason.

“That is not the only reason,” she said. “It is clear now that you despise him, so why were you at his party? Why were you in the study?”

Laurence’s left brow cocked as if he was impressed.

“You are a perceptive young lady.”

“I ran my father’s household for years before he died,” she answered quickly and raised her chin confidently. “Now I ask again. Why were you there if you despise my cousin?”

Laurence’s nostrils flared. His jaw tightened. But when he spoke, his tone was low and touched with sadness.

“I believe your cousin is responsible for some terrible things. I want to find evidence that he is responsible and punish him.”

It was the truth. She could tell not just from the way he spoke, but from the way he met her gaze with unflinching remorse.

“What terrible things?” she asked.

Laurence glanced away, but not before she saw another flash of pain pass through his eyes.

“The auction, for one. I believe he has a personal interest. He brought you there tonight to teach you a lesson, but I suspect his reasons for attending go far beyond that. The way he spoke with Nigel… They are familiar with one another. I am certain of it.”

Ellen turned the new information over carefully in her mind.

Then he looked back up at her just as the carriage came to a stop.

“As my wife, you could help me take him down,” he offered.

Ellen felt a tremor of excitement move through her body, and she was not sure if it was the way he so possessively said my wife, or if it was the offer of vengeance on the man who had destroyed her world. Either way, she knew, in that moment, she had made her decision.

“When do we marry?” she asked as the driver opened the door for them.

Laurence got out first, then extended his hand to her. She hesitated for a second, then accepted it and allowed him to help her out. She was surprised to find not a mansion, but a rather romantic-looking cottage snuggled between trees off the beaten path.

“I will get the proper papers together within three days,” Laurence answered once she was standing before him, his lips twitching almost toward a smile. “I will take care of everything. Until then, this will be your home. You are safe here, my future Duchess of Blackford.”

CHAPTER NINE

“Unless you are here to offer an apology and an explanation, I am afraid you have wasted a trip.”