“What is that you say?” the duke barked, getting to his feet.
Raising her hands, the duchess stopped her husband. “Let us allow Lady Barnard to explain her side of the story before we jump to conclusions,” she said firmly.
The duke muttered under his breath and waited for Lily to be guided to a settee before speaking again. “Well then, Lady Barnard, out with it. What have you failed to tell us from the start?” His voice was filled with suspicion as he bit the words out.
Taking a deep breath, Lily composed herself again. “The rumors of my involvement are false. I never knew of anything that Mr. King had been involved in during our betrothal. I dare say that he wanted my father’s money to further his cause and finances.”
The room grew tense as every person hung on her every word.
The duke even shifted forward in his seat as he listened.
“Mr. King confessed to me last night at the ball that he was indeed involved in passing along information to the Spanish as well as the French. He plans to leave the country before anyone can hold him accountable for his actions.”
“And have you any proof of this?” The duke narrowed his eyes as the duchess raised a hand to her mouth in shock.
Lily nodded as her throat suddenly felt too dry. “I do. Several bribes were given to Mr. King for the information he provided. Some of those bribes were given to me as gifts. Gifts, jewelry, that are now safely stowed away in my belongings that are being taken upstairs. Mr. King planned to incriminate me with these items and thus force me to return to him.”
Gasping, the duchess reached for her husband’s arm. “Do you think that these items of jewelry could be traced?”
The duke seemed thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. “It would take a very good jeweler to examine the items and determine their origin, but I am certain that something could be done about the matter.”
Relief began to flood Lily’s body as she realized that the duke was beginning to believe her. She quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and continued. “That is not all. Mr. King sent several letters threatening me since I departed America. I have kept all of those letters.”
Her father suddenly spoke up, seemingly shaking off his daze. “We could use those letters to prove that he had ill intent toward Lily.”
The duke nodded. “I do believe that we have a very strong case if all that Lady Barnard is saying is true, but what I do not understand is why Lady Barnard has come without her husband?” He turned back to Lily again as everyone looked at her.
Feeling the tears prick at the back of her eyes again, Lily sucked in a sharp breath. “I wanted to come and say goodbye before I left for America again.”
“Goodbye?” Her mother asked in shock.
Lily nodded as her emotions burst and hot tears ran down her cheeks. “I could not think of another way to save the Sinclair family name. I thought that if I left, the rumors would blow over, and the viscount and his family would be able to move on with their lives. I just did not want anyone else to get hurt.” She looked at her lap as soft sobs raked through her chest.
Coming to her aid, her mother and father both placed their arms around her as they pressed their bodies against hers.
“That is a very noble thing to do, my dearest, but what of you? Do you really wish to leave the home that you have only just begun to build?” her mother asked her softly.
Lily shook her head. “No, but what other option am I left with if Mr. King will not stop with his threats?”
The room fell silent for a moment, and Lily could have sworn that a pin being dropped would have been heard.
The duke finally spoke up in an authoritative voice when nobody else seemed to know what to say.
“We must find Mr. King. You have all the evidence we need to get the matter started, but once we have him in custody, we can certainly take matters from there. One thing I know for certain is that running away is not the answer. We will need you here to testify against Mr. King when the matter is brought to His Majesty’s attention.”
“But how will we know where to find this Mr. King?” the duchess asked.
Sitting up straighter, Lily finally found her confidence again. “Mr. King will come wherever I am. If there is one thing that we can count on, it is the fact that Oliver King will not give up once he has set his mind on a matter. Revenge will be first and foremost in his mind, and he will be expecting me to leave with him.”
Chapter 30
The horse’s hooves beat furiously against the road as bits of mud flung up past his head. Julian, however, did not care as he urged his horse forward. He was halfway to London with Benedict, Arabella, and Juliette in tow, as they had all insisted upon coming with him.
The small posse were all riding hard as the need to find Lily before she left grew even stronger with every passing beat.
Wait for me.
His heart called out to her just as the rain stopped pelting his face. He had thought of Lily all the way from Redding Hall, recalling her face and the moments he had stolen to be alone with her. It hurt a little that she had not felt safe enough to approach him with the truth, but he reasoned with himself that he did not know what he would have done in her shoes.