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Chapter Twenty
They were all gathered in the parlor since the Duke and Lord Munro had arrived to tell the Earl that they were planning on throwing a ball in order to “flush out” the villains who were terrorizing the county.
“If we all watch, then we should be able to catch something,” the Duke finished. There was silence, as the whole family took in what he’d said.
Leah had listened to the Duke’s plan with trepidation. In doing this, they would all be putting themselves in harm’s way.
Leah cleared her throat. “I am glad that you haven’t decided to use our wedding, thusly.”
“I could never,” the Duke replied.
“It’s a good plan,” she said, pleased to be the first to give him her wholehearted endorsement. The sooner this was all over, the sooner she would have her wedding and the title of Duchess of Gillingham.
“It was my brother’s idea,” he said.
“Lord Munro?” she said, turning to the Duke’s brother. “How truly brilliant you are!”
Lord Munro gave her a little bow. “Thank you, My Lady. Your approbation means everything.”
“It’s going to be dangerous, isn’t it?” her mother said, her hand on her pearl necklace.
“Not at all,” Lord Munro assured her. “You will remain indoors at Gillingham Manor, where you will be surrounded by all of the Gentlemen and Ladies of the County, as well as the local regiments. We will have everyone accompanied by armed guards, on their way home. That way, we will catch him out.”
“We can only hope,” Selina mused.
“It’ll work,” Leah insisted, glaring at Selina.
“If it’s a secret shared by all, then he’s bound to find it out, isn’t he?” she pointed out.
“You’re right, My Lady,” Jasper said. “We’re only telling a select few.”
“Hold it during daylight hours,” Selina added. “If it’s compulsion, he won’t be able to resist. The Duca would break in during daylight hours. He was quite a bold character. It was only a matter of time before he was caught.”
The gentlemen were all listening to what Selina said. Leah frowned. Here she was, making herself seem smarter than everyone else.
“It will also mean that the gentlemen and ladies will feel safer, being out during the day,” Selina went on.
“We’ll do just that,” the Duke said, nodding.
“Does the Dowager Duchess need help with the planning?” Leah asked, ready to offer her assistance. After all, she’d gotten so many compliments on the engagement party.
“I’ll let her know that you’ve offered your assistance,” the Duke told her. Leah beamed. Anything to help catch the villain—so that then her wedding could move forward.
“Well, we’d best be moving on,” the Duke said. “We have to go and tell Lord Langley.” Lord Munro nodded.
After the gentlemen had left, the family talked about the plans.
“I’m going to be so nervous,” Leah’s mother admitted. “Anyone there might be planning on attacking at any moment.”
“Never fear, my dear,” the Earl assured her, patting her hand. “I’ll remain right beside you the entire time.”
Her mother smiled at the Earl. Leah felt excited. Someday, the Duke would look at her like that. He was just the sort of gentleman who would assure his wife that he was going to protect her. And she just knew that everything he was doing was in order to ensure that their wedding happened soon.
* * *
In the week leading up to the ball, Jasper missed Selina, immensely. He’d been busy, making plans for the late afternoon trap that they were setting. He wouldn’t rest until the villains were caught.
There was a lot to consider when throwing a ball, not to mention, coordinating all the gentlemen who were to be keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. Jasper was kept busy from the time he woke up, to late into the night.
