Chapter Twenty-Eight
Duke Kendall’s footman opened the door right away. Matthew watched him from the corner of his eye, wondering if the man had any part in what had happened to Jasmine the night before.
“You can leave it open,” Matthew said to him. “I won’t be long.”
And for the last time, he stepped into Duke Kendall’s study.
Holding a leather case at his side, he walked the length of the room to stand before Duke Kendall.
The Duke sat behind a wide desk with three women surrounding him in identical pink dresses, their faces smothered by powder and rouge.
A brunette lounged on the Duke’s lap, while a blonde and a red-haired lady sat atop the desk.
The same ‘ladies’ that flanked him last night.
They waved their fingers at Matthew and lifted their fans.
Duke Kendall’s grin widened. Even though Matthew wanted to knock out every pearly white tooth, he kept his face passive and bowed. As he rose, he noticed the faintest hint of blue bruising on the chalk-white skin of Duke Kendall’s throat.
Good. At least he had left a mark on the beast.
“Why, Lord Lincolnshire, I’m surprised to see you so soon,” Duke Kendall said. “I thought to see you on your wedding day. I hear it’s fast approaching.” He pressed a finger to his ear and prompted, “I don’t hear ‘thank you, Your Grace.’”
“Then it appears your ears are working fine.” Matthew glanced at the women pointedly, then fixed his eyes on Duke Kendall. “Might I request a private audience?”
“Such formalities.” Duke Kendall tapped each woman’s nose. Their giggles rang out like bells. “Whatever you need to say can be said in front of these lovely ladies.”
“Very well.” Matthew lifted his case, set it on the desk, and then opened it.
The dark steel on the pistol glinted in the light.
“Here is the pistol you requested. Inside, you’ll find a bank draft refunding your advanced payment—with interest—for wasting your time.
” He snapped the case closed. “We could not satisfy your accuracy requirements, and our contract is now voided.”
Duke Kendall’s eyes narrowed to slits. The women quieted and raised their fans over their faces, nervously meeting each other’s eyes.
“Lord Lincolnshire,” Duke Kendall warned. “You should watch your tone with me. I would hate to throw away years of friendship over a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?” Matthew held a hand to his heart.
“I caused a scandal at one of your balls!” He allowed the corner of his lip to lift.
“To which I offer my sincerest apologies, along with my regrets that my family will not be attending your birthday celebration. It would hardly seem appropriate to sully your good name further.” Matthew bowed once more. “Good day, Your Grace.”
He turned on his heel and walked away.
“Lord Lincolnshire!” Duke Kendall stood, knocking the woman from his lap. “If you walk out of that door, I will withdraw my testimony and let the law decide what to do with you.”
“And perjure yourself over a petty feud?” Matthew challenged.
“Such a shame. Your word is the most respected in the country, solid gold, and written in ink that has long since dried.” He narrowed his eyes.
“If you attempt to go back on your good word, Marquess Dorchester is more than willing to vouch for my character. And yours—for not alerting him that his daughter had fallen ill at a ball you hosted—leaving me no choice but to rescue my fiancée myself. A rumor in the scandal sheet this morning, by the way. Try to retract that while you’re at it. ”
He left the room, and he didn’t look back.
“Lord Lincolnshire!”
He kept walking.
“Get back here and apologize this instant!” Duke Kendall’s booming shout followed him. “Lord Lincolnshire! You cannot walk away from me!”
“Watch me,” Matthew muttered under his breath.
Lord Dorchester taught him that mistakes were expensive, but he did not need to repeat them. With the flick of the wrist, Duke Kendall had handed it all to him. His life, his wealth, his wife—but also his freedom.
Now that his hands were clean, he could offer them to Jasmine. He stepped out of the manor, squinting in the afternoon sun. Before climbing into his waiting carriage, he patted his chest pocket and reassured himself that his mother’s ring was still inside.
The only thing left to do was propose.
Again.