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Nodding again, Samuel pushed to his feet. “Thank you for all you’re doing, Mr. Levington. Your dedication and confidence are appreciated.”
Levington stood as well. “Thank you, sir. It’s always a pleasure to work with you.”
Samuel gave a nod, acknowledging the words. He left Levington’s office and collected his outerwear, feeling as if he walked through London’s thickest fog. How could this be happening? How could Richard have unleashed such irreparable disaster into their lives? Why would no one believe him over Richard, when he’d always lived a quiet, orderly, correct existence and his older brother was a complete and utter cad?
Samuel trotted down the steps outside Levington’s office, his upcoming trial a nearly palpable weight bowing his shoulders. The attorney was correct. Samuel kept his affairs in perfect order, but he did have business of a more personal nature he must set right. He’d wished to put all of this behind him, to approach Ellie anew with a proper proposal, and banns to be read, and permission from her father, but Levington’s words rendered that dream less and less likely.
Samuel couldn’t face his trial with Ellie believing what Richard had told the papers. Or without seeing her again.
He directed his driver to the Duke of Aspen’s London residence and climbed into his carriage. As they rolled through the streets, Samuel knew gratitude for the lack of a family crest or any other distinguishing features about his conveyance. He didn’t close the curtains, but he did sit back against the cushions. He’d never been a very recognised individual, until that week. Now, it seemed that anyone who spotted him looked, looked again, and started to frown.
When his carriage drew to a halt outside the Duke’s residence, Samuel disembarked and hurried up the steps, well aware of the gossip fodder his presence on the doorstep created. He rapped the knocker and waited, working to contain nervous tension that threatened to erupt in the form of pounding on the thick wood that barred his way inside. The door moved.
“Mr. Samuel Carmichael to see Miss Ellie Ellsworth,” Samuel said before the butler had the door fully open. He proffered his card.
The man frowned but took the card and gestured Samuel inside. “Please wait here, Mr. Carmichael,” he said and headed down the hall.
Samuel waited, fists clenching and unclenching. A thrill bubbled through him at the thought of seeing Ellie, his fear of her rejection unable to overcome the joy of her presence. He wanted to pace. To follow the butler. To dash through the house calling her name until he found her.
Footfalls sounded. Not a light patter, but a ringing masculine stride. The blond headed, broad shouldered form of the Duke of Aspen barrelled up the corridor, and Samuel’s hopes of seeing Ellie tattered.
Samuel bowed as the Duke neared. “Your Grace.”
“Carmichael.”
“I’d hoped to speak with Miss Ellsworth.”
“I know what you hoped.”
Samuel frowned at the Duke’s decidedly unfriendly tone. “I only wish to speak with her.”
The Duke studied him through narrow blue eyes as hard and bright as the gemstones they resembled.
“When you courted her, did you know she wasn’t my wife?”
Samuel shook his head, denying the question itself. “I did not, which is why I broke off all connection the moment I realised the nature of my feelings for her.”
The Duke’s eyebrows shot up. “Broke off all connection? Was that before or after you disappeared into a garden with Miss Ellsworth, who is residing in my home and is under my protection?”
Samuel winced. “I broke the connection after speaking with Miss Ellsworth at the theatre.”
“How odd, then, that you found yourself once again in her company.”
“She followed me into the garden. I’d sought a location for private words with my brother, not Miss Ellsworth.”
“And yet you kissed her.”
Heat raced up Samuel’s neck. “She told you that?”
“She said it was only a kiss.” The Duke’s sapphire eyes could have cut glass, or taken a slice out of Samuel. “Is that the case?”
“It is, but, in my defence, I did ask for her hand after I kissed her.”
“You attempted to get her to run away with you.”
“I asked her to marry me,” Samuel said firmly.
“And you knew, when you kissed her, that she was not my wife?”
