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He would do this the right way, even if it tore his heart from his chest with yearning. And she would wait. She’d said she’d always loved him, after all. So she would wait. He was almost sure of it.
Lancaster stared into the amber glow of the whisky and wondered at what he was about to do. The changes he would make…they would change him too. But he felt different already. Hopeful. And some of his rage had dripped out onto the grass along with Richmond’s blood.
When the study door opened behind him, Lancaster stood and turned to Somerhart. “I was hoping you’d stumble upon me. Do you have a moment?”
Somerhart poured himself a whisky and dropped into the opposite seat. He nodded.
“You were right about the magistrate. He’s sent ’round a note to tell me I’m free to leave. Seems he was easily satisfied with your version of events.”
“I’m a duke, Lancaster. My truth is the truth.”
“Even when it’s not.”
Somerhart shrugged. “Richmond did fire first.”
“You forgot to mention that it was a duel.”
“So I did.” The duke laid his head back.
“The crown may not be so easily dissuaded.”
“We’ll see. But I’m fairly sure the crown will be glad the title has been passed. And who will protest? The new earl? Everyone is well rid of that animal.”
Lancaster looked back to his drink. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You’re welcome. I gather I’m free of my debt now?”
“Of course. I am forever obligated to you for—”
“Ah, Christ, I should hope not. Let’s end this here, shall we? Cheers.” He drained his glass and set it down hard on the table.
Lancaster swallowed down his own whisky, but he couldn’t leave the subject so easily. “My apologies also. For bringing him here. And for what you overheard.”
Somerhart lifted his head and met his gaze. He stared for a long time. “I will likely never say this again, so listen closely. You are a more complicated man than I took you for, Lancaster. If you weren’t so disgustingly charming, I might actually like you.” As Somerhart’s head fell back to rest on the chair again, Lancaster looked at him, shocked speechless. He wasn’t even sure what Somerhart had meant by all that.
“So,” Somerhart murmured, “are you planning to leave this afternoon?”
“Yes. I hope you’ll watch over Miss Merrithorpe for me. She’s not accustomed to travel or…”
“I’ll arrange passage on one of my own ships and escort her to her cabin myself. If you don’t change your mind and come riding back before sunset, that is.”
Lancaster’s stomach clenched at the thought. He didn’t want her to go, but Cynthia had dreams too, and he’d see her live them if he could…and continually pray that her dreams of the future involved him.
“I won’t stop her,” he murmured. “But speaking of ships…” Lancaster steepled his fingers and leaned forward as Somerhart cracked an eye open to look at him. “I have a proposition for you, Your Grace. Something a bit…unorthodox.”
Hours later, he left for London with an excitement about his life he hadn’t felt in years.
Chapter 24
“Oh, look,” her cousin Lenore cooed. “There is that nice Mr. Morgan. Do you think he’s brought his son?”
Cynthia leaned forward to see the stage past her cousin’s feathered hat. “Perhaps. But Lenore, do be quiet, I am trying to hear the music.”
Lenore sighed. “You are so very clever.”
She patted the young girl’s arm. “I am not clever at all.”
“You’re so interested in everything.”
