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“I have no idea what to do,” she sighed, rubbing her face with her hands.
“Go talk to anyone and everyone that might have a shred of influence. You have charmed people and made friends in society. You are a Duchess. Use that influence for your own good.”
Edwina squinted at her father skeptically. “Since when did you become a schemer?”
“I may not be one, but that does not mean I do not know how it works,” he laughed. He stood and walked over to the writing desk in the corner of the parlor. Pulling out a pen and a scrap of paper, he came back over to the couch and set them on the coffee table in front of them. “Now, think of who you might be able to call on today.”
* * *
By the time she left the fifth house, Edwina felt like a murderer herself. Her so-called friends welcomed her coolly, but not a single one offered her tea or refreshments. Each one smiled politely, saying a version of, “There is nothing I can do.”
Lords and ladies spoke of power, of wealth, of influence, but they only helped those that they wanted to help. They wanted Fergus to be guilty, Edwina thought. Because he looked different from them, because he did not mingle in society, they thought they could use him as a scapegoat. For what? Entertainment or for a false sense of security?
As Edwina’s carriage brought her to the last house on her list, her stomach twisted into knots. She did not like Leticia, and apparently, Leticia did not like Fergus. She had no hope that Leticia would be willing to help her or Fergus. Surprisingly, though, the butler brought Edwina up to Leticia’s room where she found Leticia sitting at her dressing table. Her maid was curling Leticia’s hair with meticulous slowness.
“Edwina!” Leticia cried with a pout. “I would give you a hug, but you see…”
Edwina sat on a settee near the dressing table, grateful not to have to take an embrace. “No, it is quite all right, I understand.”
“You must have had quite a trying night,” Leticia went on. “How horrible for you!”
“Yes, that is why I am here.”
Leticia cut her off before Edwina could explain further. “I gathered as much. You definitely will need my help. Let us think – is there any chance you could be with child?”
Edwina frowned. “I do not see what that might help with.”
“Bear with me,” Leticia said quickly. “Just yes or no, have you and the Duke lain together?” With a blush, Edwina nodded. Leticia smiled and clapped her hands together.
“Wonderful. So, in the hopes that you might be with child, we could arrange that the duchy does not pass to the next male heir. You would have nine months, at least.”
“I do not understand,” Edwina protested.
“And if you are not with child, you could quickly get yourself with one,” Leticia continued, despite Edwina’s protests. “I am sure there are plenty of men that would be willing to do the duty.”
Edwina gasped at Leticia’s implication. “I would never! Leticia, what are you trying to say here?”
“I am trying to help you stay a duchess, of course!” Leticia said with a frown. “Obviously, that is what you want help with, no?”
“Why would I want to stay a duchess if my husband is hung or thrown in prison for the rest of his life?” Edwina argued, desperately trying to understand Leticia’s line of thinking.
“Because he is a murderer!” Leticia exclaimed.
“But he is not!” Edwina said with a cry. “Leticia, you cannot honestly believe that His Grace is a murderer. You were once engaged to him. You must have seen some goodness in him then.”
She scoffed, tilting her head. The maid accidentally touched the iron to Leticia’s neck, and Leticia gasped in pain. Her frown deepened, her mood obviously ruined.
“I accepted his proposal because he was handsome, he showered me with gifts, and his father was powerful enough to convince my father it was a good match. I did not feel anything for him.”
“You broke off the engagement even after he became Duke,” Edwina pressed. “Why?”
She shrugged. “As I said. I felt nothing for him, and when he returned from France, all scarred like he was, I realized that I could not be with him, even with his title. Besides, my Albert had recently become a widower, and I just fell for him. He was kind and attentive and gentle — not to mention handsome, despite his age.”
“But His Grace is not a violent man.”
“War changes people, Edwina,” Leticia said, giving Edwina a level look. “Have you ever thought about the fact that your Duke has likely killed people in combat?”
“That does not mean he would kill innocent women for sport,” Edwina protested. She leaned forward, trying to plead with Leticia. “I am telling you, he did not do this.”
