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“How do you explain all this?” the Duke asked, voice quieter but still filled with strain.
“I honestly cannot, but maybe it has something to do with Ellie?” Lizzy May suggested. “She’s been spending a great deal of time out and about London, in the company of your mother.”
“My mother?” If anything, the Duke sounded more aggrieved.
“Ellie is my twin. It’s possible people may have confused us.”
Ellie continued to bite at her lip. Should she confess?
“Then who is this Mr. Carmichael? Is your sister being courted by a traitor?”
“She’s confessed little to me,” Lizzy May replied. “I’ve suspected there’s someone with whom she’s taken, but she wouldn’t give me a name. Surely, were it anything serious, she would confide in me.”
“As you confided in her when we first met?” the Duke asked, voice softer now.
“Oh dear. Do you truly think she’s still angry with me over that?”
“You know how deeply it hurt her.”
Ellie squeezed her eyes closed. It had hurt. It still did, but not enough to justify harming Lizzy May’s marriage.
Footfalls sounded, quieter now.
Equally soft, the Duke said, “We’ll sort this, never fear.”
“Oh, we must.” Lizzy May’s voice held tears. “I know you don’t put much stock in gossip and reputation, but this is too much to bear. I cannot abide the idea of the world thinking that I don’t love you.”
Ellie grimaced. Lizzy May was definitely crying. Through the door, Ellie could hear the Duke murmur soothingly.
Ellie pulled her ear from the door, straightened her dress, and knocked.
“Go away,” the Duke called, words clipped.
Ellie knocked again and pushed the door open.
His Grace sat on the edge of the bed, one arm about Lizzy May as she cried against his shoulder. “Miss Ellie, now is not—”
“It was me,” Ellie broke in. She dashed at her cheeks, wishing she’d brought a handkerchief. “I’m the one who flirted with Mr. Carmichael in the garden, and at the theatre, and last night.”
Lizzy May pulled away from her husband enough to look at Ellie.
“You did?”
Ellie nodded. Addressing the Duke, she added, “Lizzy May truly hasn’t been out since we arrived in London. Not once. She’s been rather unwell.”
He turned to Lizzy May in immediate concern.
“You wrote that you’ve been a touch unwell. Not rather unwell.”
Lizzy May sat up straighter. She swiped the backs of her hands across her tear streaked cheeks.
“I’m perfectly well.”
“You’ve been ill every morning,” Ellie insisted. “You sought Mother’s advice, and you should call a doctor.”
The Duke gently tipped up Lizzy May’s chin to study her face, all anger instantly replaced by concern and love for her. Ellie swallowed. She’d thought she’d found a man who looked at her like that.
Lizzy May caught her husband’s hand and pulled it down to clasp in hers. She looked past him to Ellie.
