Duke of Madness: #1 Sisterhood of Secrets by Monroe Jennifer

Author:Monroe, Jennifer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WOLF Publishing
Published: 2021-11-03T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

As he was apt to do, Matthew walked into the ballroom to gaze upon the portrait of his father. Yet, he frowned upon seeing the place bare where the portrait typically hung.

“Hickson!” he shouted.

The butler shuffled into the room. “Your Grace?”

“Hickson, where is Father’s portrait?”

“In the attic, Your Grace,” Hickson replied. “Lord Ezra requested I remove it there yesterday.”

Matthew clenched his fists at his side. “Is this not my home?”

The butler nodded. “Of course, Your Grace.”

“Then why would you do as my uncle requests? And without conferring with me first?”

“Because for now,” his uncle’s voice boomed through the large room, “I’m helping you, Nephew.” His uncle was not alone, however. Beside him walked Lady Dyer, the skirts of her red dress flowing around her ankles. Although Matthew did expect the baroness for dinner, he had hoped Julia would arrive first to allow him the opportunity to explain the other woman’s presence.

“Your Grace,” Lady Dyer said, dropping into a well-practiced curtsy. “I’m honored to once again be a guest at your table. I don’t have the words to thank you enough for your kind invitation.”

Matthew stifled a frown. Was she under the impression that the invitation had come from him? “You are most welcome. There is no better way than to spend an evening breaking bread with friends.” His eyes shifted to the tall clock. Julia would be arriving at any moment. “Perhaps we should—”

“Come along, Hickson,” his uncle said. “The baroness wishes to speak to His Grace in private, and they have no need for two old men hovering over them.”

Lady Dyer giggled and whispered, “Your uncle is very funny. It must be a joy to have him so near, a great person from whom to receive counsel.”

“He has proven to be invaluable,” Matthew replied truthfully. “Did you have a request? My uncle mentioned you wished to speak to me about something.”

The baroness nodded. “Last week at your party, I spoke to a gentleman...” Her words trailed off, and a blush spread across her cheeks. “Forgive me, I should say no more.” Her gaze had dropped to the floor, and she appeared distressed.

“Did this man offend you in some way?” Matthew asked. She shook her head. “Then what is it you find so difficult to tell me?”

Lady Dyer sighed. “The same man I saw at your party, the one who mocked you? I saw him again in town. He was speaking to two others, and I heard your name mentioned.”

A chill ran down Matthew’s spine. “People will talk, my lady,” he said. “We must learn to ignore what they have to say.”

“That may be true, Your Grace,” she said slowly, “but they said you were mad. Needless to say, I may have done something that will make you think poorly of me. I would be quite distressed if you no longer wished to be my friend.”

Matthew stared in utter confusion, but before he could form a question, she continued.

“My grandfather also suffered from a form of madness,” she said, “and to hear them mock you as they were, I admit I lost my temper.

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