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Chapter Twelve
Aletter arrived at the music hall the next day bearing the seal of the Duke of Davenport. Lily knocked on Carmen’s study before depositing the letter onto her desk.
Carmen frowned. “What is it?”
“It arrived for you,” Lily said. “There is a man waiting for you downstairs with a carriage. He expects a reply right away.”
Carmen scowled as she tore the letter’s seal viciously. The contents of it were brief.
Dear Miss Black,
We did not have a moment to speak civilly to each other. I implore that you return back to Davenport Manor. Lady Nora misses you and your lessons. If not anything else, the Duke wants to settle your due wages.
Regards,
Mrs. Elsa Cooper
“The bastard didn’t even bother to write it himself,” Carmen said. She was practically seething with unbridled anger. He had humiliated her, had silenced her when she had tried to explain to him that it was all just a terrible mistake.
“Nora took you up there. It wasn’t your fault,” Lily said in a consoling voice.
Carmen shook her head. “It was nobody’s fault. The poor little girl misses her mother. It turns out that the lady used to play the pianoforte. It’s no surprise that Lady Nora is musically inclined too.”
Lily seemed to ponder over it. “Then what are you going to do now?”
In answer, Carmen tore the letter apart. “Send him away.”
“He’s expecting an answer,” Lily said. “Besides, I urge you to rethink your decision. If not anything else, we need the money.”
Carmen hesitated. She knew Lily was right, but she also knew that she never wanted to see the Duke’s face again. She thought about all the women working downstairs. There was also the possibility that the Duke would go back on his word and get them all out of this building. She hated the fact that he had so much power over her.
“Fine,” she finally said. “I’ll go to him.” She took her cloak off the stand, fastened the knot and went downstairs. She was surprised to see Ramon waiting for him. His thin whiskers twitched as she approached.
“The Duke sent me to bring you back to the manor,” Ramon said. Carmen knew she would only be wasting her breath if she spoke to the man, so she kept silent. But it was strange the Duke had sent his valet to bring her back. He wasn’t even the head-servant.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Ramon said. “Over the years of my employment, I’ve become very good at reading people, the Duke being the most difficult of them.”
“And what am I thinking then?” she asked.
“You’re angry at him and you’re curious as to my presence here,” Ramon said. “I can only help you with the latter, however. You see, the Duke’s parents were often sick since he was a little boy, and they both passed away when he was merely eighteen. He had to leave his year at college and come back to take over his responsibilities, both of the title and the many estates the old name comes with…”
He stopped to guide her into the hack waiting for them at the door. As soon as he closed the door, it cantered down the street. Carmen waited for the man to finish the story. “He was married when he was five and twenty, and rather hastily, to a woman he met on his wedding date and then he lost her tragically. I have been with him through it all and the nature of our relation has changed and evolved over the years.
“The point is, the Duke doesn’t trust people easily. They have to earn his trust.”
“He doesn’t trust me,” Carmen said. “I don’t know why you told me this story, but it doesn’t change my opinion of him.” If the man thought she would start sympathizing with the Duke, he was dead wrong.
Ramon shook his head. “I don’t expect you to.” They were both silent for the rest of the ride. Carmen frowned out the window outside at the flashes of London as the pothole-filled streets changed to sprawling buildings, until they finally came to a stop in front of the Davenport Manor.
“He’s expecting you in the study,” Ramon said. “I assume you’ll find your own way there.” With that, he took her leave.
When Carmen entered the study, the Duke didn’t look up and neither did he address her. Carmen took a deep breath before she began to speak. “You summoned me, Your Grace.”
Arthur faced her. “I almost thought you wouldn’t come.”
“My lord, I’d almost made my mind not to come,” she said. “But my life now lies at your whim.” When he frowned, she continued. “The music hall—”
“I’m a man of my word. I told you that you and your women are safe there and so shall it be. You’re under my protection.”
