Page 76 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

Not entirely. Enough.

“I know. Next time, tell me before you do the sensible thing.”

“I shall.”

She left him with that.

Chapter Seventeen

Petherick arrived at ten the following morning.

Selina was already in Nathaniel’s study. Sowerby’s reports lay upon the desk beside Giles’s accusation concerning the jewels, the recovered copies of Georgiana’s letters and several sheets of Selina’s own notes. Nathaniel had been there for twenty minutes and had not once reminded her of the promise made the previous evening.

Tomorrow had arrived. He left the arrival to her.

Petherick removed his gloves, accepted the chair Nathaniel indicated and looked at the accumulation of paper.

“I understand there is a further matter, Your Grace.”

“There is.”

Selina took a folded account from her reticule and placed it upon the desk.

“The payments Mr Rowland mentioned were mine.”

Nathaniel said nothing.

“They began four years ago. Giles appears to know that regular sums were sent through an attorney after the Merrow estate had been administered. What he does not know, or what I believe he does not know, is where the money came from or where it went.”

Petherick unfolded the paper.

“And the attorney?”

“Mr Dunmore. He has chambers in Lincoln’s Inn and has handled the remittances from the beginning. He will have records.”

“Good.”

“He is also discreet.”

“Better.”

Petherick looked down the page. “Before we concern ourselves with what Lord Merrow intends to allege, I must know the truth of it.”

“That is why you are here.”

Selina folded her hands in her lap.

“The first money came from my mother’s garnets.”

Nathaniel’s attention sharpened.

“The jewels you sold four winters ago.”

“Yes. They were mine absolutely. My mother left them to me by name in the codicil I told you of. After the sale, I kept only what I required immediately and placed the remainder with Mr Dunmore.”

“For what purpose?” Petherick asked.

Selina looked first at him and then at Nathaniel.