Two Days Later

TWO DAYS LATER

TWO DAYS LATER

“ A re you quite certain this is a wise course of action?” Martin asked as their carriage rolled up to Hayward Manor.

Edwin peered out the window at the tall, imposing structure. “I am quite certain. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that Lord Worcester is the true culprit behind the disaster. He made it appear as though Benjamin was at fault, but he wasn’t. And Benjamin always had suspicions about Worcester’s motives. How I wish Benjamin had never entered into business with him.”

“I still fail to comprehend why he did. Everyone knows Worcester is a notorious drunkard.”

Edwin shrugged his shoulders. “Benjamin was always far too kind-hearted for his own good. He believed that just because Worcester was a drunkard, it did not necessarily mean he was inept in business. At one point, Worcester was quite prosperous. Of course, that is no longer the case. But oh, how I wish I had stopped him…”

“Edwin, you must cease blaming yourself. Benjamin was a grown man, married—a duke in his own right. His choices were his own.”

“I know, but we were always close, and even though I was the younger brother, I always felt as though I had to protect him. He was far too amiable for this world,” Edwin sighed. “I must ensure that his reputation is restored… and my own.”

The carriage rolled to a stop when Martin grabbed his arm. “Think on this. What you are about to propose could alter your life forever.”

Edwin glanced over his shoulder. “I am aware of that. But I owe it to my brother to restore his name, as well as Cecilia’s. You shall look after Ruby. I will meet you at the club later.”

“Very well,” Martin replied and released his arm.

Edwin closed the door and watched the carriage roll away before turning to face the entrance of Hayward Manor. He straightened his burgundy waistcoat and ensured his starched cravat was perfectly positioned before knocking on the door. Moments later, a butler appeared.

“Good morning to you, Sir,” the butler greeted, confusion flickering across his face.

“Good morning,” Edwin replied, handing over his card. “I am the Duke of Ashford. I would like to see Lord Worcester. It is an urgent matter.”

The butler pressed his thin lips together as he inspected the card. “Certainly, Your Grace. Please, follow me.”

Thank heavens, Edwin thought, relieved that he wasn’t being dismissed outright. His encounter with Worcester at the ball had been fraught with tension. Worcester, naturally, knew that Edwin was Benjamin’s brother, and had offered his condolences for Benjamin’s death, though they rang hollow. It had been over a year since Benjamin passed, yet Worcester had never once sent a letter of sympathy.

Their conversation had been brief, but Edwin had made it clear that he wished to discuss a business matter. Worcester had no inkling that the ‘business’ in question pertained to the true nature of his dealings with Benjamin.

The butler led Edwin into the parlor and then disappeared. Edwin took a moment to survey his surroundings. The foyer was grand, with high ceilings that soared up to the third floor. Tapestries and elaborate paintings adorned the walls, but he noticed a few bare patches where the paint was darker, suggesting that something had been removed recently.

Evidence of Worcester’s financial woes, no doubt.

Worcester’s financial troubles were well known, though Benjamin had been blamed for them. As Edwin moved toward an open door to his left, he caught sight of Worcester’s daughters, Lady Hanna and Lady Emma.

Lady Hanna sat with a piece of fabric on her lap, a ball of yarn having unrolled partially across the floor. He realized she was crocheting—something his mother and grandmother had always loved, though the ton generally considered embroidery the more genteel craft.

Their eyes met, and a pang of something stirred inside Edwin. He recalled seeing her in the garden, so distraught, and he had felt a keen sense of sympathy. She did not seem like the sort of young lady who reveled in social frivolities. Here, in her drawing room, she appeared more at ease, though still not entirely at peace . Something troubled her—he could sense it, even from across the room.

He inclined his head, prepared to greet her properly, but before he could approach, the butler returned.

“His Lordship will see you in his study, Your Grace.”

Edwin nodded and followed. His footsteps echoed off the high walls as they traversed a narrow hallway lined with portraits of Worcester’s ancestors, gazing down with haughty indifference.

Upon reaching Worcester’s door, Edwin paused to compose himself. He cleared his throat before entering. He found Worcester standing near his desk, evidently waiting for him.

“Your Grace,” Worcester greeted him, a thin smile tugging at his lips. “I did not expect to see you so soon.”

“I believe I made it clear that I wished to discuss a business matter,” Edwin replied as they shook hands.

Worcester’s palm was clammy, and Edwin discreetly wiped his own hand on his pantaloons.

Worcester swiftly moved to sit behind his desk, gesturing for Edwin to take the chair opposite. As he took his seat, Edwin’s foot struck something beneath the desk, and he heard the faint clink of glass. He discreetly glanced down and spotted a half-concealed bottle—clearly, Worcester had been drinking before his arrival. There was even a telltale water ring on the desk’s surface.

The butler exited, closing the door behind him.

“Well then, Your Grace,” Worcester began. “You mentioned a business matter. I must confess, I am somewhat surprised that you would propose anything, given how my association with your brother ended.”

Edwin narrowed his eyes, resting his hands on his knees. “It is precisely due to that association that I am here. You see, I am aware that you suffered some losses as a result of my brother’s actions,” he said, the lie tasting bitter on his tongue.

“Well, that is an understatement,” Worcester replied, his tone sharp.

There was a distinct clicking sound against his teeth as he spoke—he must have been sucking on a lozenge, likely to mask the scent of spirits on his breath.

“I have suffered greatly, indeed, because of your brother. Had I known that my money was not being funneled into the mining enterprise he spoke of, but instead was being used to run an illegal gambling establishment, I?—”

“Let us not dwell on my brother’s misdeeds,” Edwin interjected. “We should focus on how to rectify matters. I, too, have suffered as a result of his actions—I am certain you are aware of the damage done to my reputation.”

“Yes, indeed, I have heard,” Worcester said, nodding. “It is dreadful. I myself am no stranger to being falsely accused of various things. Some accusations, in fact, have come from those closest to me.”

Edwin was well aware of the rumors surrounding Worcester—the whispers about his mistreatment of his daughters and the fraught relationship with his son-in-law, the Duke of Sheffield. But he forced himself to set aside these thoughts for the time being.

“Indeed,” he continued, “I must rebuild both my reputation and my business. I suspect the same holds true for you. Therefore, I thought that perhaps the two of us could join forces.”

“Join forces?” Worcester asked, furrowing his brow in confusion. “How so?”

“I am aware that aside from the money you invested in my brother’s supposed mining venture, you also invested in a vineyard, did you not?”

“Yes, but that was just another of your brother’s deceptions,” Worcester replied bitterly. “There is no vineyard.”

“I assure you, there is,” Edwin said smoothly. “Since my brother’s passing, I have assumed the role of executor of his estate, and I have discovered that he invested some of the funds in a vineyard in Somerset. In that sense, we are already business partners.”

“We are?” Worcester’s eyes lit up with greed. “The vineyard is still viable?”

“Quite so. In fact, I have been considering expanding the business—perhaps even purchasing the adjoining vineyard. I believe that, by uniting our resources, we could establish a profitable enterprise.”

“But why me?” Worcester asked suspiciously. “Surely there are others who invested with your brother.”

“Well,” Edwin said, choosing his words carefully, “I believe you were the closest business partner my brother had. And, truth be told, there have been obstacles that seem intent on thwarting any attempt I make to start another venture. Every time I come close to striking a deal, an unseen force intervenes.”

Worcester nodded slowly, his suspicion giving way to indignation. “The very same thing has happened to me. Just last week, I had intended to purchase a property to begin a horse-breeding venture, but it was snatched away before I could finalize the deal. My solicitor couldn’t even ascertain who had bought it.”

“Precisely,” Edwin said, feigning empathy. “It is as though someone is deliberately working against us.”

Worcester leaned forward, his eyes wide with fear and paranoia.

Good. That was exactly what Edwin had wanted to see. He’d carefully laid his plans over the past week to ensure Worcester would walk right into his trap. Indeed, he’d even managed to sabotage Worcester’s attempt to start a horse breeding operation with the meager funds he still had. All to get him to this point.

“You believe this to be true? That someone is conspiring against us?”

“I do,” Edwin replied gravely. “And I believe the only way to protect ourselves is to unite.”

“Indeed, but how do you propose we solidify this alliance?” Worcester asked, eager to hear more.

Edwin paused, as if hesitant, then spoke with quiet determination. He was not keen on putting this part into action. Indeed, if it turned out he was wrong about his suspicions and Lord Worcester was in fact innocent, his proposal might harm not just them but an entirely innocent party. Still, he needed access to Worcester—he needed the man to be comfortable with him.

There is no other way. Do not be a fool.

“I would offer you a more… personal connection. I wish to propose marriage to your eldest daughter, Lady Hanna. By uniting our families, we would not only be bound by business but also by blood.”

Worcester’s face broke into a broad, triumphant smile. He eagerly grasped Edwin’s hand, shaking it fervently. “Your Grace, I cannot tell you how delighted I am by this proposal. It would be an honor—an absolute honor—to have my daughter marry into your esteemed family. Of course, there is the matter of the dowry that we need to discuss. You know that I am rather in low water.”

“I am aware. We can discuss this matter at another time, but I assure you, I intend to be reasonable in that regard and take into account the terrible losses you suffered because of my brother.”

Edwin hated speaking so ill of Benjamin, but it was part of the ruse. Worcester had to believe he was genuine. If he didn’t, this would not work.

“Well then, we are in agreement,” Lord Worcester said. “I was beginning to worry she’d end up a complete washout, but here you are—a duke wanting to marry her.”

Edwin’s nostrils flared, for he did not care for the way Worcester spoke about Hanna. He didn’t know her yet, but she’d struck him as a kind, genteel woman who did not deserve a father who spoke to and about her so callously.

Of course, neither did she deserve to be married off to a man who wanted her only for the access she could provide him. But there was no other way to achieve his ultimate goal. To clear his name and Benjamin’s, he had to uncover Worcester’s secrets.

And to do that, he had to do the one thing he swore he’d never do—trick a woman into marriage.

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The Duke’s Unexpected Bride

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