Page 11

She had promised her family a better life. She had promised her sisters better prospects in marriage. She had promised her little brother a brighter future in school.

And if her fears turned out to be true, her family’s situation would turn from bad to worse. Unfixable.

She placed her hand against her roiling stomach and swallowed.

How could Bernard have abandoned her in her time of need?

He had been so happy when she’d come to London that he dropped to his knees and proposed!

And now…

Now he refused to even speak to her. He let her sit on the wet doorstep, cold and alone, begging for an audience with him.

That was not the same man she’d fallen in love with.

The sweet melodies of your promises now ring hollow…

He might as well have been talking about himself in the letter.

“What am I going to do?” Emily whispered.

Astrid stilled, her lips pursed, her eyes narrowed before pulling out a piece of paper—no, a gossip column—from her pocket and nudging it toward Emily. “Perhaps he can help.”

“What is that?” Emily wiped her wet hair away from her face before reluctantly taking the piece of paper into her hands.

The door opened then and the butler stepped out of the house. “Miss Astrid, your father is requesting your presence in his study. Immediately.”

Emily resisted rolling her eyes. Cowards, the lot of them. Just a few minutes ago, this same butler had told her nobody was home.

“This is the column that ruined you.” Astrid stood gingerly and shook out her skirts. “But perhaps it can offer salvation as well.”

The swish of skirts, the receding footsteps, and then the decisive slam of the door told Emily that Astrid had left while she stared at the paper with an unseeing gaze.

This is the column that ruined you.

Emily was not certain she was ready to read the ugly words.

But perhaps it can offer salvation as well.

She had to be brave. If the column offered a solution Emily had not thought of, it was worth taking a look. She took a deep breath and read the words.

Dearest Reader,

Hold onto your bonnets and cravats, for this month’s rake has recently returned to London and has already found himself embroiled in scandal.

Just yesterday morning, the infamous Mad Marquess—now ascended to the rank of a duke!—and his unruly friends unleashed a steam-powered carriage amongst the bustling streets of our beloved city. As constables attempted to halt this mechanical wonder the Mad Duke, as he is now titled, seized a pot of vibrant red paint from the ongoing town repairs and proceeded to paint the town red!

If that wasn’t enough to stir the sensibilities of our genteel society, reports suggest that the daring Mad Duke publicly displayed his affections for an enchanting young lady, whispered to be Miss E—F—, the unmarried daughter of the late Baronet F—. In a blatant disregard for propriety, they engaged in a scandalous act right in the heart of the town square!

As audacious as it seems, it’s neither the first nor, this author is quite certain, the last of the Mad Duke’s escapades. After all, he didn’t earn his nickname by following the rules.

The Mad Duke is infamous for his impetuous behavior, persistent indulgence in drinking, gambling, and promiscuity. He adamantly rejects the bonds of marriage, determined to drive his title into the ground. Any woman attempting to ensnare him is certain to be met with solitude and ruin.

This, however, doesn’t dissuade the ladies from trying. Apart from possessing a coveted title, the Mad Duke boasts a strikingly handsome countenance, exhibits unparalleled skill in the saddle—both behind closed doors and on the race track—and let us not overlook his substantial fortune, rendering him irresistible for any woman.

Now, the pressing question remains: will the notorious Mad Duke extend the offer of his hand in marriage to rescue poor Miss E—F— from societal ruin, or will she join the ranks of the women he’s abandoned?

Until next time, when the scandalous affairs of our brazen city unfold once more,