Chapter Twenty-Eight
18 October 1822
L ora sat at her vanity in her bedchamber, absentmindedly brushing her hair as her thoughts drifted to the events of the past weeks. Her heart warmed at the memory of Rockford’s smile, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. “Come in,” she called softly.
“Good morning, Lora.” Harriet stepped inside, a folded letter in her hand and a furrow in her brow.
Lora stared at her friend’s reflection in the mirror. Harriet’s face was the same as her tone. Lora swung around. “I’d ask if everything was all right, but clearly, it isn’t. It’s Asheton or Colin.”
“No. Asheton is still visiting all our farmers, and Colin is with Mama.” Harriet glanced at the letter. “I received a letter this morning. It’s…” She held her breath. “Concerning.”
Lora held out her hand, but Harriet didn’t move. “Are you going to show it to me?”
She took the letter from her friend and unfolded it carefully. As she scanned the script, her heart sank.
My dear Lady Harriet,
It is with a heavy heart that I feel compelled to inform you of certain indiscretions. It has come to my attention that the Duke of Rockford’s courtship of Lady Lora was initiated under false pretenses—part of a calculated scheme rather than genuine affection. As her friend, you have the right to know the truth.
Anonymously yours.
Lora’s hands trembled as if the paper burned her fingertips. “No.” Her voice was barely a whisper, the single word unraveling under the force of her shock.
She sank onto the edge of her bed, the letter pressing down on her like a physical burden. Her mind raced, a whirlwind of emotions tearing through her—disbelief, hurt, anger. The words swam before her eyes, each one a dagger piercing her heart.
The Duke of Rockford’s courtship of Lady Lora was initiated under false pretenses…
The words blurred, twisting into a mockery of every tender moment they had shared. A whispered promise beneath the moonlight. The steady warmth of his touch. The way he had looked at her, as if she were his world. She thought back to the moments when his gaze lingered just a heartbeat longer, the unguarded softness in his eyes when he whispered her name. The way he held her, his touch reverent, as if she were something precious. Had it all been a lie?
She shook her head, but the creeping doubt curled around her thoughts, whispering of deception. “No,” she murmured, gripping the letter tighter. “It can’t be.”
“Where did you get this?” She shook the letter at her friend.
“It arrived this morning by messenger. I couldn’t ignore it.”
Lora stood abruptly and paced before the window, hoping the activity would calm the storm raging inside her. Memories flooded her mind—Rockford’s initial hesitance when they first began spending time together, when he seemed distant or preoccupied. She had dismissed it as the burden of his responsibilities or perhaps his own guarded nature.
Part of a calculated scheme…
The words echoed in her mind. She spun away from the window, catching her reflection. She barely recognized the woman staring back—the usually bright eyes now shadowed with pain. “Why?” she whispered. “What could he possibly gain from deceiving me?”
Thoughts tumbled over one another, frantic and unrelenting. Was it the clinic? Could he gain something from its expansion? Or had she been nothing more than a carefully placed piece in a larger scheme? She clenched her fists, anger coursing through her veins.
“It could be a cruel story,” Harriet said softly. “There are those who wish to see you unhappy.”
Lora’s voice was firm as she replied, “I won’t let anonymous whispers poison what I believe in.” She took a deep breath, straightening her spine. “But I also can’t ignore this. This is a black spot on Rockford’s reputation. I must tell him before someone else does.”
Lora’s gaze snapped back to Harriet. “Who else do you think received a letter like this? If someone wants to tarnish Rockford’s reputation or mine, they might have also spread this to others.”
Harriet’s eyes widened slightly. “I hadn’t thought of that. But it’s possible. Anonymous letters are a coward’s tool.”
“Precisely.” Lora bit the inside of her cheek as she tried to think. “I can’t let baseless rumors destroy everything. I must confront him and get to the truth before this poison spreads further.”
Harriet placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “I’ll accompany you.”
Lora shook her head. “No. This is something I must do alone. Besides, if more letters are circulating, perhaps you could discreetly find out if anyone else has received one. Your connections might help us understand the extent of this.”
Harriet nodded thoughtfully. “Of course. I was off to the modiste. The ladies there are often privy to the latest news. I’ll see what I can learn.” She hugged Lora gently. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”
Harriet left, and the soft click of the door echoed in the quiet room. The same questions kept going over and over in her mind. Why would he pretend to have a relationship with her? She walked to the window, pushed aside the curtain, and glanced out at the garden without seeing it. What could he possibly gain? Her heart pounded. There isn’t any truth to this… She glanced at the note Harriet had put on the table. It was all a malicious attempt to drive a wedge between them.
Now alone, Lora sank onto the edge of her bed. She needed to compose herself before facing Rockford. Her emotions swirled. She couldn’t let them cloud her judgment.
She stood abruptly, squaring her shoulders. Enough. “I need to hear the truth from him.” She would not cower behind whispers. She would face Rockford, look into his eyes, and see for herself what lay hidden there.
Crossing to her wardrobe, she pulled out a simple day dress. Time was of the essence. As she dressed, her movements were brisk, fueled by determination. She pinned her hair neatly, ensuring that not a strand was out of place.
A soft knock sounded at the door. “Lady Lora?” came the tentative voice of her maid.
“Yes, Anna?” Lora replied, smoothing the skirt of her dress.
“Shall I prepare the carriage for you?”
Lora paused, surprised. “How did you know I was going out?”
Anna offered a small smile. “Just a feeling, milady. Thought you might have need of it.”
Lora’s expression softened. “Thank you, Anna. Yes, please.”
As Anna disappeared to make the arrangements, Lora took one last glance around her room. Her gaze fell upon the letter lying on the vanity. She considered taking it with her but decided against it. This conversation would be between her and Rockford. No anonymous words would dictate her actions beyond this point.