Page 29 of The One With the Rogue Duke

“You look perfect.”

“You look passable.”

The two said simultaneously.

“It’ll have to do. Let’s head back. We have guests to entertain.”

Chapter 17

Verity

“I noticed that you offered a slimmed down menu tonight, Verity,” Pru said just as the sisters reached the entrance to the parlor. “I don’t mean to pry, but I hope all is well. I would hate to see the manor fall apart when you leave.”

How could Verity answer that when she knew the truth? The truth that no one would believe. Publicly, Alec had been liked—esteemed, even—by the ton. There was no use in sharing a truth that no one would believe. A truth that would make her sound crazy.

She could already feel all eyes were on her since revealing her fake relationship with Ash. She had heard the doubt and disbelief voiced by her guests. So no, she did not need to compound that with—ironically—a truth that would shatter the ton’s conception of a so-called good man.

So instead of answering Pru, she waltzed into the parlor and made her way over to the pianoforte where a guest was playing. She needed to act like the hostess that she was and not second guess herself or worry about things she couldn’t change.

All that mattered was securing her future. Doing something to ensure she had a roof over her head, and more importantly, her independence to go along with it. And if Rafe wasn’t the answer—which she had to admit at this point, then maybe Ash was.

And if Ash was the answer…what did she need to do in order to get him to ask her the one question that mattered? What could she do to turn this fake courtship into something real? The questions pounded through her thoughts without easy answers.

Together, the three sisters made a nice semicircle as they listened to the music.

“Are you really not going to answer me, Verity?” Pru insisted quietly.

“Now is not the time,” she volleyed back.

“If you’re in trouble, you should tell us. We can help.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“You’ve always said that, Verity. But if there was ever a time to ask for help, now might be it.” Pru wasn’t letting up, and Verity felt like each question, each new phrase, was like a knitting needle being poked into her side. “You can tell us what’s going on.”

“Let her be, Pru. You know Verity keeps things to herself.” Tempy tried to deter her twin.

“I don’t think I can. Not this time. You’ve been making one too many missteps, Verity. Look what’s going on with Ash.” She shook her head and huffed out a small sigh. “I j-just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Clearly, Pru was upset, and Verity could see the powerlessness on her sister’s face. Needing to assuage some of that concern, she leaned toward her sister. Meanwhile, Tempy mirrored the movement on the other side of Pru.

“I’ll be fine.” Verity patted Pru’s folded hands on her lap. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’ve got it under control, despite Alec’s sabotage.”

“What?” Pru gasped.

Tempy sat on the edge of her seat, nearly in a squatting position. “Sabotage? You mentioned a few events before, but nothing like this. What’s going on, Verity? What did he do?”

Verity exhaled roughly, contemplating the pros and cons of unloading the burden of the truth onto her sisters’s shoulders. Maybe it would be good—healthy—to open up. “Alec…was not exactly who you thought he was. He had plans to sabotage the earldom.”

“No.” Pru’s disbelief spoke volumes over her whisper.

“Are you sure?” Tempy asked.

Verity sat back in her chair. “Are you saying I’m lying?” Her back was ramrod straight.

“No. Of course not…but…Alec?” Pru fidgeted with her thumbs on her lap, eyes down. “I just can’t believe it—”

“You think I’m lying,” Verity’s voice rose in volume a touch more than she intended. “I’m appalled that you don’t believe me.”