Luke seethed as his mother's loud sobbing filled the house.She had been in bed since the previous night .Immediately he had told her of the situation, she'd taken to her bed and had began to weep till the morning.She had stopped two hours ago only to resume again.She'd make herself Ill if she continued this way .
His mother had called Missandrei every imaginable name.He felt the same way but couldn't be as theatric as his mother.It was his duty to be responsible and level headed.He knew it had been the red headed witch's plan all along.First it was 'mistakenly' entering his coach.Next it was pretending to care about dogs.Now she had set him up.Written that false note to him that was supposedly from Magdalena.Oh she had played him for a fool.Now she had him , he'd make her rue the day she ever made deigns on him.
He was disgusted himself for ever thinking her beddable.She was as conniving and malicious as every other woman.He had been tempted to cut her and leave her to bear this brunt of the scandal.But the thought of any gossip attached to his name was something he lived to avoid.Chadwicks avoided scandal .Chadwicks didn't reduce themselves to the level of lesser people.Chadwicks always did the proper thing.Chadwicks were controlled and wore their mask of haughty indifferent the best.
He went back to his breakfast , ignoring his mother's loud sobs and curiosity that lurked in the servants eyes.They knew better than to spread news or gossip.He dealt with that with an iron fist.He paid them well enough to treasure their jobs jealously.If any tongues wagged outside , he'd discover the culprit and destroy them.
Once his man of business arrived, he'd have him write to Lord Fensworth.He'd get a special license and get the family engagement ring.The duchess' apartments were being opened in his country seat.He'd have to write to the Winchesters he supposed even though he owed them not a thing.His mother would like the situation to be explained to her Bosom friend , the duchess of Winchester, but he didn't know when she'd rouse from her indisposition.He would have to see Lord Fensworth this eve about a troseau for the duchess.They'd be married the day after next and then repair to Chadwick Manor.He was a tad glad much pomp wasn't going to be made of the event.
"my life is over Eunice"Missy buried her head under her pillow and groaned.Eunice pulled the pillow away and laughed at her lady's drama.
"how is marrying a Duke and becoming a duchess the end of life?"she asked "you've been going on and on about how bad things are .what about poor Lady Rogers.People are whispering about her everywhere"
Missy sat up looking sheepish "I didn't even think of her"
"of course you didn't"Eunice sat beside her rubbing her back soothingly.
"Has Jon sent me a letter?"
"No.you asked five minutes ago"she rolled her eyes in exasperation."it's over a days journey to the Belmont estate.You will be married before he comes back"
"I will be married tomorrow Eunice .To that horrid , stiff man"
"Oh poor dear .marrying a Duke! How dare he do right by you"Eunice huffed sarcastically.
"I seem really silly don't I?"
"yes .You do.The countess was beside herself with joy yesterday when the duke called.She's been going on and on about being the mother of a duchess etc"
A knock sounded on the door .
"come in"Missy replied hoping it wasn't one of her giggling sisters.
Henry poked his head in.Eunice curtsied and left.
Missy patted the bed beside her "sit"
"Missy can I just say I'm confused"
"I'm more confused than you"she sighed "it all happened so fast.One second i was waiting for lady Olivia Haversat , the next Chadwick was storming in addressing me as his mistress.Then the two tons worst gossips were standing at the door drooling to spread the tale"
"that sounds like something out of a book"he thought for a moment "say , what was Chadwick doing up there?"
"he got a note from his mistress asking her to meet him there"
"Do you think perhaps you two were set up?"
Come to think of it , Missy had suspected the same.But who'd want them to end up together.Or perhaps, the aim had been for his grace to refuse her.But why would someone want to destroy her reputation.She barely had any.Maybe the mastermind had wanted a scandal to be created to tarnish the Duke's name or so that the ton would be distracted.
Hmm.So many angles.Or someone wanted to pay them both a lesson by saddling two perfectly opposite people with each other.Whoever it was knew the duke very well.After all, nobody else knew who his mistress was.
That's when it hit her.The duke had recently broken things off with Magdalena.She might have been upset enough to pull off such a nasty trick.
Or maybe it was just one silly coincidence.She sighed.Had to be.
"I can see all the smoke bubbling out of your ears.You have got to tell me what you are thinking"
"I'm thinking I need a miracle.I can't become a duchess tomorrow Henry.It's like my worst nightmare"she cried "the countess has declared that if I try to run away from this that I'd better keep running. I don't want to have to leave you and Eunice and Tierry and Jon-"
"who is Jon?"his gaze hardened
"Jonathan Belmont"
"I'd rather you be a million miles from him"
"oh he's quite innocent really"
He shook his head in wonder "I've never heard anybody in England refer to a Belmont as innocent.They are all a set of rapscallions with too much courage"
"maybe you need a little of that courage with your lady friend"she chuckled
"oh whatever"he stood up"will you be alright?"
"becoming a duchess isn't the worst thing ever.Who knows , there might be some ray of sunshine hiding behind Chadwick's somber exterior"
He was about to reply when Eunice tore in , her eyes shining "Sandi.You won't believe it "
"I will"she retortedÂ
"Your father has just gotten a letter from his grace.His mother has declared that over her dead body will he go through a rushed wedding .The wedding has been postponed till The end of the season"
Missandrei's head swam.A miracle!
"looks like you got that miracle you wanted "Henry said before his sister was hugging him and laughing and squealing and hopping in wild abandon .