Page 100 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

Petherick’s expression altered by a degree.

“Mr Rowland proved more practical.”

“That is not a quality I had associated with him.”

“Necessity develops unexpected virtues.”

Petherick opened his case and removed a second paper.

“The fair copies intended for publication were, as you know, recovered from the printer. Mr Rowland retained Lady Georgiana’s originals. I wrote to him after the ball and explained that the threatening correspondence in our possession would make any further attempt to use the letters a matter upon which he should expect no indulgence from this house.”

“And?”

“He sent for me the following morning.”

Nathaniel’s attention sharpened.

“He gave them up?”

“Every original he admits to possessing. I required a written declaration that he had retained no copy and caused none to be made beyond those already recovered from the printer. I do not suggest his declaration is worth more than his character. But we have it.”

“How do we know the packet was complete?”

“We do not know absolutely.”

Petherick did not soften it, and Nathaniel was grateful.

“We know the printer’s copies correspond with the originals surrendered. We know Mr Rowland has lost both the means and, I suspect, the appetite to continue. We know his creditors have ceased waiting for an improvement in his circumstances which is plainly not coming. Beyond that, certainty would require powers neither you nor I possess.”

Nathaniel sat back. A month earlier he would have hated the answer. He found that he could live with it now.

“Where is he?”

“Gone north, I am told. Relations.”

“Do they know he is coming?”

“I am a solicitor, Your Grace, not a prophet.”

That time Nathaniel did smile.

Petherick gathered his papers. “There is one further matter.”

He reached into his case and produced a packet tied with plain string.

Nathaniel knew what it was before Petherick laid it on the desk.

“The originals?”

“Every one Mr Rowland admits to possessing.”

Nathaniel put his hand upon the packet but did not untie it. He looked at Georgiana’s handwriting visible beneath the string.

“Thank you, Petherick.”

***

Nathaniel found Georgiana in the small parlour after luncheon.