nailed her in place. “You were convicted.”
“It was an apple.” Kat sucked in a silent breath. “I’m going to call a footman and have you escorted off the premises.”
“Don’t do that,” he warned. “If I leave tonight, I’ll just send letters tomorrow, and that’ll make it worse for the duke and the other wives. Come. I want to show you something.”
Kat didn’t move, but Skeats walked around her. The balcony extended into the courtyard, giving a wide view of the ballroom below.
“See there?” He pointed to the Secretary to the First Lady of the Bedchamber. “You know Mr. Sherman. But the man he’s speaking with? The Prince Regent. Next to him is your duke.” He shook his head slightly and smiled. “Randford is the belle of the ball, as one might say. Everyone wants to be near the war hero duke and bask in the glory of his success. He’s practically as famous as Wellington and as well-loved as Nelson. The Prince Regent is thrilled with the idea of outfitting the Royal Pavilion bedrooms with lap desks and small tables that would benefit the duke’s charity. I expect he’ll place a rather large order.”
“That’s the Prince Regent?” Her own voice sounded weak to her ears.
“Chubby fellow, isn’t he?” Skeats turned to face her.
“How did you find out about the orders?” she asked.
“I spoke with Mr. Sherman before I found you. Does the duke know the truth about you, Miss James?”
“That’s none of your business,” she snapped.
“Imagine his horror to discover that his future wife is a pilferer. Mr. FitzWilliam said you were sentenced to the pillory for a day and night. Imagine being pelted with rotten food and manure. Humiliating, not to mention filthy.” He scrunched his nose. “Society will be outraged if they hear the Duke of Randford started a charity with a convicted thief and planned to marry her. Where is the money they’ve contributed going? Was it actually provided to the brave men who came home from war? Or was it being siphoned off by the thief?” He tsked. “You know how rumors start,” he said.
She could barely control her anger at such lies. Heat bludgeoned her cheeks. “He knows and still wants to marry me. You can take your threats—”
“And what?” He had the audacity to laugh. “If the duke knows about your criminal past, that makes it all the juicier, doesn’t it? Like father, like son. He doesn’t care what you do as long as you’re in his bed. It makes no difference if you’ve slept with his late brother. His father was the same way, I’ve heard.” He tapped the side of his face. “I can imagine the print caricatures that will be posted tomorrow. He’ll be ruined, not to mention a laughingstock.”
She turned to where Christian stood. Indeed, she had never seen him so happy and carefree. He seemed to have come alive under the attention he was receiving. Soon, several of his men along with Lord Woodhaven had joined him.
“All those men he wanted to help will be left standing in the cold,” Skeats whispered beside her. “Such a tragedy.”
The love she and Christian had shared over the last several weeks possessed a power that was unique and special. It had its own strength. But even she feared that it couldn’t endure a scandal of this nature. Thoughts of Christian laughing with her, sharing a part of himself, roared to life. She couldn’t bear to think of him hurt over the lies this man threatened to announce to anyone who would listen.
If she didn’t do something, she would destroy Christian and all he’d created here tonight. All because of an apple she’d taken in her hand over ten years ago. It was unfair. But, when had life ever treated her any differently?
“You can stop it from happening,” he added.
“What do you want?” Kat whirled to face him and straightened her spine, every nerve firing.
Slowly, he strolled to her other side and viewed the courtyard. “I want you to write a letter to the Secretary to the First Lady of the Bedchamber saying you can’t fulfill the contract. It’s too much of a burden for you. Then, I want you to leave London for good.” His eyes narrowed. “Tonight would not be soon enough.”
Kat locked her knees to keep them from knocking together. “Why would I do that?”
“Mr. Sherman told me I was next in line for the contract. I’ll be out of business if I don’t receive it. I can’t compete with