How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,97

the items in question. Miss Thatcher didn’t steal anything, merely did her duty acquiring and transporting all the items that are mine.”

The duke ripped the offensive papers from Lord John’s hands. Bridget watched his blue eyes, cold as ice, scan each document.

“How did you manage this?” the duke asked, throwing the documents onto the small table.

“You see, over the last week I had to travel great distances to ensure you didn’t destroy my family or future, a bit of an odd thing for a brother to have to do against his own family in my opinion, but there it is. Firstly, I secured the cottage for Betsy, Miss Thatcher and me to reside in as I begin my next novel. Second, I made my way to Liverpool where I met with Frank’s solicitor, received a copy of the will as well as, thirdly, contacting Frank’s business partner and significant inheritor of the estate.

“Obviously, a single man has no use for jewellery, and so he was happy to accept the cost of half of the items. Next, I contacted our uncle and Frank’s father. I was a little fearful I might not get a response in time, but I am happy to say the same day I received your note demanding my presence here in London, I also received word from our uncle, Jeromy Smelting.

“He was glad to gift the remainder of the jewellery to me. I’m sure you remember that he and Frank had a strained relationship when Frank didn’t take up his father’s commission?”

“Yes, it seems to be a plague in our family.”

“Well, after his wife passed away and he took up his plantation in Jamaica, he had a change of heart. He always regretted not making things right between himself and Frank. He was happy to gift the items to me, and thereby to Betsy, as amends for his past mistakes.”

“So you see, they are not stolen items, but according to those notes legally in my possession. You would have no cause to bring charges against my future wife and your future sister-in-law.”

Bridget’s eyes met Lord John’s at his words. He could read the shock and surprise in them. He wondered how she could possibly be feeling that way. How could she have expected any less from him?

“You would really go down this road?” the duke asked with a sudden weariness to his voice. “You know what Mother will think of all of this, the shame it will bring her and the whole family.”

“So cut me off if that is what you want. I really don’t care anymore.” Lord John threw his hands in the air. “I have my family, Betsy and Miss Thatcher. I am closing my old life now, free of your decisions and our mother’s guilt. If you can’t agree with that, then I’m sorry, but this is where we will part ways for good.”

The duke stared his brother down for a few seconds. Lord John looked back at him, relaxed and confident. He wouldn’t be intimidated by this man or pushed into doing the socially acceptable thing anymore. He was his own man, and he would be making his own choices.

The duke gave a final sound of disgust before leaving the room, and house, without even so much as a goodbye.

Lord John let out a breath and felt himself relax. The whole room seemed to lighten as the realisation sunk in. He was finally free of his family.

Chapter 31

Bridget was still struggling to take in all that had just transpired. She was clutching the book tight to her chest. With the duke out of the room, she sunk down onto the sofa.

“You still want to marry me? And you did all those things to save me from jail?” she asked.

Lord John furrowed his brow in confusion. Standing from his seat, he sank into the spot on the sofa next to her. He searched her eyes for any hint of what had transpired in her mind these past weeks.

“Of course I did. What did you think I was doing?”

“I don’t know. You just left. I thought you believed your mother and that I was a thief.”

“I would never think that about you,” Lord John spoke quickly. “How could you think that I would? I trust you, Bridget. I trust you with my family, with my heart,” he said, taking her hands into his and kissing them.

“Well, you just left, and you didn’t say anything and the way you looked at me when your mother said