The Duke Effect (The Rogue Files #7) - Sophie Jordan Page 0,17
question. “How many others have you been corresponding with whilst pretending to be your father?”
“Oh.” Several moments slid by before she finally, reluctantly, answered. “Three.” Then, she grudgingly added, “Maybe ten.”
“Ten?” His incredulity succeeded in embarrassing her, despite her personal avowal to not let this man shame her. “This madness must stop, Miss Langley.”
She nodded once, petulantly, despising the way he pronounced her name—so very crisply and correctly. As though he were an exasperated schoolmaster or aggrieved governess.
And yet he was correct. She knew that now.
It had to stop. No more corresponding as Papa.
She had never considered that it would come back around to plague her. Perhaps it was shortsighted and foolish, but she had not imagined any adverse consequences to her actions. She saw only that she was able to help people beyond Brambledon. She’d never had that kind of reach before, and it had gone to her head.
She did not want someone else showing up on her doorstep. She would have to content herself with treating the denizens of Brambledon. At least that did not involve duplicity.
He sighed and dragged a hand through his hair. “Do not count on me to keep your deception and trickery a secret.”
She canted her head, wariness creeping over her. “What are you saying?”
“I referred you to several of my fellow officers. Durham? He’s an army surgeon.”
She nodded once, recalling him. “Yes.”
“Do you correspond with him?”
“Yes,” she admitted, dragging the word out slowly. “We have exchanged a few letters over the years.”
“Of course. I am responsible for that. You’ve made me complicit in your deceit. I must write to all and sundry and inform them that they’ve been receiving advice from a charlatan.”
“No!”
“Yes.”
“Why, you—you spiteful—”
“If I am full of spite, Miss Langley,” he cut in, his voice sharp as a whip, “it is because I have been duped by a fraud.” He stepped close, invading her space with all his crackling anger. “I have wasted precious time to come here and see you when I could have been locating someone who could actually help the Duchess of Birchwood and ease her suffering.”
“If you would only tell me what ails her, I could be that someone to help her. Perhaps you could take me to see her and—”
“Are you mad?” He let loose one harsh burst of laughter.
“You know I’m not ignorant when it comes to medical matters. Think back on our letters. Did I never once supply you with useful information?” she challenged.
“Right now I prefer to forget them.”
“A woman can know things.” She squared her shoulders, hot indignation burning through her, eating at her composure. “We are not merely decorative creatures. We can be more than wives a-and brood mares!”
His dark eyebrows winged high. “I don’t doubt the intelligence of women . . . I merely doubt your integrity. And as for your knowledge, I do not trust in it.”
A hissed breath escaped her.
He continued, “As soon as I reach London, I shall be writing to Durham and all those I once recommended you to so that no one else falls victim to your trickery.” He held aloft a finger. “Perhaps I’ll even write to your local lord mayor and let him know of the deceiver he has in his community.”
“You’ll . . . expose me?” She flattened a hand against her chest. She had not thought . . . not imagined . . .
“For the protection of all, yes.” He scanned the gardens again, clearly moving on in his mind from thoughts of her. He had no concern at the effect of his words. He would ruin her. He thought her that deserving of that. “Is there a gate where I might exit from the garden?” He only wanted to leave in the speediest way possible.
Her mind whirred, her heart racing. If he destroyed her reputation at Brambledon and no one came to her for her services, then what would she have? What would she do with herself? What would she be?
Heavens, the village might have to get an actual doctor to replace her father if they no longer had faith in her.
“Oh, you sanctimonious prig!”
He scanned the garden anew, seemingly indifferent to her accusation as he searched. “Ah. I see a gate. Well then.” He looked back at her.
Her reputation as a healer in these parts meant everything to her. She could not lose that. He could not take that from her. She had to find a way to stop him.