Chapter 14
Two days had passed since the race, and it was all Roderick could think of.
The way the duchess had pushed her horse, the laugh that had left her lips, the brightness in her eyes as she rode.
Then there had been the moment after the race.
He had seen the subtle part of her pink lips as she examined him, her cheeks flushed from the wind.
He sat up straighter, noticing where his thoughts had drifted.
Get a hold of yourself.
Even as he chided himself, he could already feel his mind slipping back to thoughts of the duchess. It was not fair. The more he attempted to push her from his mind, the more thoughts of her seemed to take root, replaying shared moments.
The bookstore.
The painting room.
The race.
Roderick’s heart fluttered in his chest and he resented the feeling.
He could still recall the exact shade of pink her cheeks had turned.
Somewhere between carmine and peach blossom.
He remembered the small, victorious tilt of her chin when she knew they had tied, as though a draw was somehow a triumph all on its own.
In the moment, he had, quite badly, wanted to close the distance and see if her breathlessness matched his own.
It had been an absurd thing to want. Something he did not have the right to want, much less something he should be allowed to think about.
He needed to find a solution before he did something regretful.
Roderick pulled out the ledger he had meant to be reviewing and looked over the lines again. It was no use.
Every line he read morphed before his eyes. Slowly, they formed her face. He blinked hard, sure he had seen something. As he did, ,the lines moved back to their proper places.
“Blast,” he growled, laying his head on the desk.
“Ahem.”
Roderick sat up and looked at the door. Mr. Pike stood in front of him, his hands fidgeting nervously, as they often did.
He looked around, his expression careful, but his eyes did not settle.
Roderick had seen that expression before.
It was the face Mr. Pike wore when he did not have good news and did not wish anyone to hear.
“Mr. Pike,” Roderick said softly. “Come in and close the door.”
“Thank you,” Mr. Pike mumbled, stepping in and locking the door behind him.
“What brings you here?” Roderick asked. Mr. Pike shuffled further into the room, swallowing hard as he settled into the seat nearest to the door.
“I wished to inform you of something I have been hearing from the servants,” Mr. Pike explained. “I would rather you hear it from me than from them.”
“Speak plainly,” Roderick sighed, perching his elbow on the arm of the seat and leaning his head against his hand. Mr. Pike nodded.
“They have been speaking of the solicitor,” Mr. Pike admitted.
“The one who has been investigating the records?” Roderick asked.
“The very same,” Mr. Pike nodded. “He is expected tomorrow. Not only that, he is bringing news.”
“News…” Roderick repeated slowly. “You know what this means. Do you not?”
“It means that the investigation must be nearing its conclusion,” Mr. Pike nodded.
“Indeed,” Roderick said, leaning back in his seat, looking up at the ceiling. “We have been expecting this for some time.”
“We have,” Mr. Pike nodded.
“If he confirms what we already know,” Roderick continued. “Then the matter will be settled. I will be confirmed the rightful heir.”
“You will,” Mr. Pike nodded. “Briarwood Hall will be yours. You will be the duke. Finally.”
Roderick nodded. He should have felt the triumph of the moment. It was the exact reason he had gone there, was it not? His debts would be settled; Millicent and Oswin would be cared for. But… The words sat heavy in his chest. Like a stone that had been dropped into still water.
“And… The duchess…” Roderick said slowly.
“She will not be the duchess,” Mr. Pike said gently. “She will once again be the daughter of a baron. As the previous duke died on their wedding night, her innocence will not be in question.”
“But the rumors persist,” Roderick said. Mr. Pike shrank into his seat.
“That they do…”
“So, there is no way for me to take my inheritance without leaving her in a significantly worse situation than before,” Roderick concluded.
“Possibly not,” Mr. Pike agreed. “But that is not your fault.”
“But the least I can do is mitigate it.” Roderick closed his eyes, his mind drifting back to the race.
. His thoughts soon shifted to all the other, small moments they shared.
. He thought of her smile, Her laughter, her painting.
Taking a shuddering breath, he knew there was only one way that he would be able to get her out of the house without completely disgracing her.
He blinked hard and looked at Mr. Pike. The man had been watching him silently.
“We need to find a solution to her problem,” Roderick said. “I simply cannot cast her out of her home. The ton would descend on her like wolves.”
“What do you intend to do sir?” Mr. Pike asked. “She does not have many options.”
“I know,” Roderick agreed. “I am deeply aware of the lack of options for her. But there is still one option, even if she claims the matter is closed.”
“One option, sir?” Mr. Pike raised an eyebrow. Roderick hesitated. It felt like voicing his thought aloud would draw her ire, or worse, cause him to say something he did not mean. Even so, it was the best option they had.
“Marriage,” he whispered. “If she were to remarry, then she would be provided for. Her husband could protect her. She would not be reliant on an estate that was never truly hers.”
“Sir,” Mr. Pike started uncertainly. “You are well aware of how she feels about this subject.”
“I am,” Roderick sighed. “But she cannot cling to something that is not hers, and I will not allow her to be taken advantage of or sent away without ensuring her safety. If she will not make the decision for herself, I shall make it for her.”
Mr. Pike nodded but his mouth pressed into a tight line.
“I need you to do something for me,” Roderick said. “I need you to make inquiries in town. Discreetly. I need you to find out if there are any gentlemen who would be bold enough to pursue her, despite the rumors.”
Mr. Pike nodded but held Roderick’s gaze for a few more moments. A knowing expression flickered across Mr. Pike’s face. It was as if he wished to say something but lacked the courage to do so. The man’s mouth opened and closed twice more before he nodded.
“I will go and make the necessary inquiries and report back to you,” Mr. Pike said as he stood up.
“Thank you,” Roderick said.
“You are welcome,” Mr. Pike replied, unlocking the door.
The heavy oak swung open, but Mr. Pike stood at the threshold for a few more moments.
“If I may be so bold as to say so,” said he began, looking back over his shoulder at Roderick.
“Sometimes the answer a man seeks is closer than he wishes to admit.”
Roderick frowned and tilted his head. Before he could ask any more questions, Mr. Pike left, his quick steps echoing down the hall.
Closer than he wishes to admit… Did he mean someone who lives at the estate? Maybe someone close by?
Roderick turned the words over in his mind as he sat at his desk, drumming his fingers against the wood, trying to dissect what Mr. Pike meant.
Close to the estate. Has an interest in the duchess. Would be able to protect her financial interests and reputation…
He sighed and closed his eyes, unable to pinpoint who exactly Mr. Pike meant.
Suddenly, his eyes flew open with the realization.
Of course! Lord Casterleigh!
He is wealthy, charming, and well connected.
The duchess mentioned they have courted before, so perhaps she would be willing to reconsider him.
Granted he has not treated the rumors with the most grace, but they have not deterred him and I have heard men say worse when they do not believe their words will reach the ears of ladies.
Roderick smiled, as if the final piece in a difficult puzzle had just fit into place.
He could look after a widow with a complicated past…
Even as he considered the idea, his chest ached. The thought seemed to fit, but something about the picture did not look right.
Roderick was not a man who allowed something to sit if the image was not perfect.
He had been that way with his business, his horses, and his brother’s health.
Even so, at that moment, he did not believe he had the luxury of waiting for the perfect match.
He just had to find one that would be right enough to protect the duchess.
He was certain she would be able to rebuild her life from there.
She has done it once, she can do it again…
***
Roderick sat in the drawing room after dinner, mulling things over in his mind when a maid entered.
“Sir, a Mr. Bell has arrived,” she said timidly. Roderick’s eyes widened and he glanced at the time.
“It is rather late for a social call,” he murmured. “Send him in.”
The maid nodded and stepped out of the room. Moments later, Mr. Bell walked in, grinning.
“There you are,” he chuckled. “There is a bit of an impromptu event happening down at The Barley Mow. Some of the local gentlemen have started a card game and I did not think you would wish to miss it. I believe they have turned it into something of a tournament.”
“Well, that certainly is different,” Roderick laughed, standing up. “Lead the way, friend. I would not wish to miss such an interesting event.”
Mr. Bell nodded gleefully and the two men exited the house, walking down the path that connected Briarwood Hall to the main road into the village.
The cobbled streets and easy conversation were becoming more familiar between both men.
Less habit, more comfort. He knew if he ever needed an escape from his thoughts, Mr. Bell would be there.
Stepping inside the inn, the place was fuller than usual. Gentlemen were gathered around different tables, laughing and drinking. The barkeep grinned as more and more ale was sold.