Page 63 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

“You.”

She allowed the admission to cost her.

Rowland watched.

Selina did not hurry to fill the silence. Letting him observe the effect he believed he had produced was part of giving him what he wanted.

“You followed us into the country,” she continued. “You let yourself be seen within a mile of the house. I understand now that you do not intend to tire of this.”

“No.”

The single word was almost gentle.

Selina tightened her fingers around the glass.

“I know about the letters. I know copies were made.”

His expression altered by the smallest degree.

“My husband has employed people, Mr Rowland. You must have expected it.”

“A duke generally employs people rather than exerting himself.”

Selina ignored the provocation.

“He also knows about the debt between you and Giles.”

That struck nearer. Rowland’s smile remained, but the hand holding his glass ceased to move.

The pause was brief. It was enough.

“So Merrow has been careless.”

“Has he?”

“You tell me.”

Selina looked away.

Across the lawn Nathaniel was still with Lord Fairburn. She could not hear what they were discussing, but Lord Fairburn appeared to be doing most of it. Nathaniel, to his credit, kept his attention upon the gentleman before him.

“Giles came to our house and spoke of my mother’s jewels,” Selina said. “He wanted me frightened by a claim he knew perfectly well was false. Then he hinted at something more and left before naming it.”

Rowland said nothing.

Selina let the silence lengthen.

The music carried faintly across the lawn. Someone called to a servant. Rowland waited for her to continue.

“I begin to think that was deliberate,” she said. “The letters belong to you. The jewels belong to Giles. And somewhere between the two of you there is another threat neither has been willing to name.”

“You have been busy.”

“I have been frightened.”

He smiled again.

There it was; the satisfaction.