Page 14 of Lady Arabella’s Reluctant Hero

"I've read the gossip column, and I do not for one moment believe that what occurred was what they implied. I should like to know what did." She paused. And when he did not hurry to fill the silence, she added, "I am asking because I have a particular interest."

He shifted in his seat, wary but undeniably curious. "What interest might that be, Your Grace?"

The clock on the mantel ticked. But he'd never minded a silence, and he refused to be the one to break it.

In truth, he did not know what to say. He could tell this woman what had really occurred, but he did not relish the thought of putting Lady Arabella's reputation at risk if there was no good reason for it.

That night in the garden he'd decided he'd guard her secret—whether it was deserved or not. And he wouldn't break that vow just because this woman was formidable.

As if sensing his resolve, the dowager duchess finally nodded and was the first to speak. "As you know from my time with your sister, I take an interest in young women who appear to be in a…difficult situation."

He nodded. He'd witnessed firsthand her involvement in Clarissa's affairs. And while her interventions hadn't always been successful, he'd never doubted that her intentions were pure.

"Lady Arabella has, in my private estimation, been in a difficult position for some time," she continued.

If she noticed the way his eyes widened in surprise, she did not let on as she continued in a measured tone. "I have been observing her this Season, you see. The unkindness of which she has been accused—and of which she has, in some instances, been guilty—has had the look of work commissioned rather than freely chosen."

Here she paused. And he was glad, because it took him a moment to decipher what she was saying.

Work commissioned. Could she mean— Was she suggesting⁠—

The duchess set down her teacup. "I do not know who is controlling the poor girl. But the events of last evening may have provided me with an opening to find out."

He absorbed this. "You believe she is being pressured in some way."

The duchess nodded, and John found his hands had clenched into fists in his lap, a surge of unfamiliar anger making speech temporarily impossible.

But his mind's eye was full of wide green eyes filled with panic. He forced his muscles to relax and took a steadying breath. "But you do not know by whom," he repeated.

"I do not know yet," the duchess said.

But she would find out. That much was clear.

He thought about Lady Arabella on her hands and knees on the gravel path. The exhaustion in her eyes when she had finally focused on him.

"I had wondered," he said quietly.

The dowager duchess folded her hands in her lap. "Tell me what you saw. Please." At his hesitation, she added, "If I mean to help her, I need to know what I'm dealing with."

He thought it over and finally began to speak. "It's not much to go on, I'm afraid."

But he told her what he'd witnessed. The intense panic, the shallow breathing, the witnesses, her decision, his decision. He stopped and realized that Clarissa had come back into the drawing room as he'd spoken.

She looked between them. "Has there been progress?"

"Lord Alderton has been very generous," the duchess said.

Clarissa came and sat. "I'm sorry, John. We didn't wish to ambush you. We thought it would be easier to ask in person than to write."

He nodded and turned to the duchess. "How can I help?"

A quick flicker of surprise crossed her features and her lips curved up in an approving smile. "I appreciate the sentiment, Lord Alderton, but I believe for both your reputations, the best thing you can do now is keep your distance."

He opened his mouth to protest, but caught himself quickly. Of course she was right. The last thing either of them needed was to give the gossips any more fodder.

And what was more, Lady Arabella's troubles, whatever they might be, were not his to take on.

But even so, some chivalrous part of him had a difficult time swallowing his protest. He did not like the idea of ignoring a young lady in distress, but the duchess's logic was sound.