How to Fool a Duke (The Husband Dilemma #1) - Lancaster, Mary Page 0,55

sincerely worried for whoever was yelling out in pain.

They reached the lakeside and found her—Lady Maria standing alone, wet and shivering, lily pads hanging from the length of her hair that had tumbled from its pins, furious and, quite frankly, inconsolable.

“How dare you bring her here, Trenton!” she screamed. “Have you chosen her over me, too? Decided to complete my humiliation?”

Lord Trenton stared at her with absolute horror. “Madame, we would not be here if it weren’t for Lady Sarah’s sincere concern. She insisted we find the woman in peril—to help—not humiliate.”

Lady Maria’s hands balled into fists as she glared at Sarah. “You will never amount to anything, you graceless whore. A duchess? Did you really think Leonard would…”

“Stop!” Trenton said firmly, stepping forward. “Say no more, Maria.”

“Or what?” Her hostile gaze swept to him. “Have you tumbled into her bed, too? Sampled what the duke took once and walked away from? You never struck me as the sort of man who would settle for sloppy seconds.”

The words wounded Sarah so deeply, she gasped in shock. But she would not shrink away from this woman, not now. Not when so much hung in the balance. Her future happiness, Leonard’s joy, their lives together.

She walked directly up to Maria. “Everything you say is steeped in lies, manipulation to make yourself feel better. You are not superior, Lady Maria, you are afraid of being alone.”

At first, Maria scoffed at her, looking her up and down. “You know nothing.”

“I know enough,” Sarah countered. “I know that I love His Grace, and all you want from him is a title and his wealth. You care nothing about him. Admit it!”

Lady Maria laughed. “What is one duke over another? I am fortunate Leonard is pleasing to look at.”

“He is not for you,” Lord Trenton gritted out. “Now, let us get you back to the inn, so you do not catch your death out here.” He started to shrug out of his coat.

“No!” Maria screamed even louder. “I want everyone to know what this girl has done. How she stole my betrothed from me by seducing him!”

Someone emerged from the shadows, and as Sarah focused on the large form, she suddenly realized…Leonard. How long had he been standing there? Had he heard everything?

When Maria saw him, she quieted down, possibly ashamed, or more likely caught.

“Lady Maria,” he said sternly. “What are you about?”

She hugged her middle, shivering and suddenly humbled. “I have done nothing but defend my honor, Leonard.”

“You are not so familiar with me, madame,” he chastised her.

“Your Grace,” she quickly corrected herself.

Sarah closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This should never have happened, never. Now her dreams were dashed, for the duke would not even look at her, didn’t even acknowledge her presence. And her parents, they would take her away.

Her fears materialized, for Lady Whitmore, Mr. James, and her parents joined them.

“What is this about?” Sarah’s father demanded, eyeing his daughter, Lady Maria, and Lord Trenton. “Why are you dressed for travel, Sarah? Were you and Lord Trenton going to elope? We saw the carriage at the end of the drive, and it belongs to his lordship.”

“Sarah!” her mother said, giving her a scathing look of disapproval, then swooning. “How could you do this to us? Have we not indulged you, given you everything you’ve wished for?”

“Lady Drimmen,” Lady Whitmore intervened. “I am afraid you do not give your lovely daughter enough credit.”

“Yes,” Leonard suddenly turned around and walked in front of Sarah, shielding her with his body. “Your daughter is innocent, Lord and Lady Drimmen. She is my betrothed, and I am a fool.”

Sarah’s father stared at her, speechless at first. “Your betrothed, you say, Your Grace?”

“No!” Lady Maria yelled, rushing to the forefront.

“Lady Maria,” Leonard growled in warning. “You are in no position to challenge anyone. Have you not said enough already?”

“Yes.” Lady Whitmore took her arm. “Let Lord Trenton and I escort you back to the inn. You are wet and cold, not thinking clearly at all.”

Lady Maria looked about, first at Leonard, then at Sarah and her parents. She shrugged and laughed. “You are but a duke,” she said to Leonard. “And not even a very good one.”

Lord Trenton shook his head as he scooped Maria into his arms and carried her away with Lady Whitmore at his side. That left Sarah, the man she loved, Mr. James, and her parents alone together. An uncomfortable silence settled over them, and Sarah wondered what her father would do,