Page 141 of The Dueling Duchess

“One of those was a percussion cap, was it not?”

“Yes, I had several different designs. My father had worked on something not long before he died, but Curtis said his idea had already been duplicated by an English gunsmith—Manton, I believe.”

“Yes, that is all true about your father’s invention, but one of your ideas was quite valuable and Blanchard sold the patent for an immense amount of money to Guthrie’s.”

Cecile’s lips parted in shock. “Surely you’re mistaken?”

“No, it’s true. Guthrie’s used your design in the guns they manufactured for the army. They had several large and lucrative contracts.”

A myriad of emotions flickered across her face.

“Cecile?”

She shook her head, her expression one of disbelief. “I can hardly believe this. What else did you discover?”

“Well, apparently there is more, but that is all Blade would tell me. She said she’d look into your cousin and any dealings you had with him, but she drew the line at sharing any details that she deemed too personal.” When she didn’t say anything, he grimaced and asked, “Are you angry with me? Blade said you would be, even with the scope of the investigation limited.”

“I’m not angry with you,” she said. “But I don’t see that your investigation changes anything. After all, I did sign a contract with him.”

“Why did you sign over your family’s designs to him, Cecile? It doesn’t seem like something you would have done.”

“I was young and foolish and I had to sign everything over—there was no other way.”

“I don’t understand.”

Cecile gave him an almost agonized look. “It is a shameful story, Guy—one I’ve never told another person.”

He took her hand in both of his. “I don’t wish to force confidences, Cecile. But I feel that I should tell you that if Blanchard made you agree to this contract using any sort of threat, it could be the contract is not enforceable due to duress. It is possible you might get back the designs you sold. As for the patented idea, you may be entitled to compensation.”

Her eyes widened and she looked momentarily hopeful. But a second later that expression turned to near despair.

“To do so I would need to give evidence of what happened?”

“Yes.”

She shook her head. “I could never do that. Never.”

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t wish, Cecile. I just wanted you to know your rights,” Guy said, hoping he was able to conceal his disappointment. Not just that she didn’t trust him enough to confide in him, but that Blanchard would get away with stealing tens of thousands of pounds.

“I don’t want to confess any of this to a judge or strangers,” she said.

“I understand.”

Cecile sighed, her expression one of shame and pain. “However, much as I hate to even think of any of this again, I do want you to know what happened all those years ago.”

Chapter 25

If you tell him this, he will know the very worst about you, Cecile. He will never look at you the same way again.

She knew that was true, but she owed Guy the truth. Until he knew, he wouldn’t be satisfied to remain her lover; he’d want marriage. Once she told him what she’d done, he’d probably abandon her altogether.

“Cecile.”

She looked up from her miserable thoughts.

“You don’t have to tell me anything. I will stand by you whatever you decide to do.” He gave a humorless laugh. “I have to admit it sticks in my craw to let Blanchard get away with stealing from you, but that is your decision to make. I just—well, I just wanted to do something for you. Perhaps finding out what really happened wasn’t the best—”

“What you’ve told me is a gift, Guy.”