The Duke of Bedford needs money.
After years of gambling and not paying attention to his budget, Cecil Hastings finds himself in financial trouble. If he cannot find a reasonable amount of money soon, he will be forced to sell his estate.
Then, he...
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As soon as I agreed to the Duke of Bedford's offer, he began to grin from ear to ear. He leapt from his seat, nearly spilling his drink. "Really?" He exclaimed. "You will go along with my plan?" "Yes, Your Grace," I nodded. "Fantastic! You are fantastic! Thank you, Susan. You have no idea how much this means to me." "I am happy to help, Your Grace." "Excellent." I was not sure what to say. My mind was full of thoughts; how was the Duke of Bedford planning to pull this off? I had many questions to ask him. But he pulled out his pocket watch and stared at it, his brows furrowing. "Golly, it is later than I thought," the Duke informed. "I am sorry to leave in such a hurry, but I have a house party to attend." Without another word, he rushed out, leaving me staring at the door. I could hardly comprehend what had happened. One moment I was in search of a book for Lady Gwendoline, and the next, I was the pretend wife to the Duke of Bedford.
"Are you all right, Susan?" Lady Gwendoline asked me as I helped her get ready for bed that evening. "You seem rather distracted." "I am fine, my lady," I assured, putting her necklace into its appropriate box. I was incredibly distracted thinking about the Duke of Bedford and his outrageous proposition that I decided to accept. I was not sure which one of us had gone madder; him for creating the plan, or me for agreeing to it. "Are you sure?" Lady Gwendoline pressed on. "If you are unwell, then you need not tend to me." "I assure you that I am perfectly well, my lady," I responded. "Would you like me to set out your riding clothes for tomorrow?" After Lady Gwendoline's stunt the week prior, her brother no longer allowed her to go on rides without him. Normally his schedule was full of working on the estate's accounts or something of the sort, but he agreed to take his sister for an early morning ride. "Yes, please. Although I fear that tomorrow will not be a pleasant ride, since he will most likely make me ride side-saddle," Lady Gwendoline groaned. I headed over to the wardrobe and began to pull out the required garments for horseback riding when there was a knock on the door. "Yes?" Lady Gwendoline called. The door opened and His Lordship entered. I curtsied to him then handed my mistress her dressing gown. "What is it?" Lady Gwendoline inquired. "It is rather late for you to lecture me. So can it wait until the morning?" "For once it is not a lecture," the Earl of Winton responded. "I came to inform you that we will have to postpone our ride." "What? Why? Please do not do this, I have not ridden in a week!" "I am sorry, but Bedford sent a message saying that he wants to speak with us first thing tomorrow morning." "Can it not wait?" "He says that it is urgent. We will reschedule the ride, I promise." Lady Gwendoline looked as if she were about to protest, but then decided against it, "Fine." "Thank you," His Lordship nodded, then turned to me. "And Susan, he wants you there as well." "Me, my lord?" I replied. "Yes, you. So I want both of you in my study first thing. Goodnight." Lord Winton planted a kiss on his sister's cheek then left the room, shutting the door behind him. "Why does Cecil want to see you as well?" Lady Gwendoline inquired. "I do not know, my lady," I replied. "Will that be all?" "Yes, thank you." "Goodnight, my lady." I gathered her evening dress and a day dress that needed mending, bobbed a curtsy then left her bedroom. As soon as I was in the hallway, I let out a huge sigh.
