Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,92
lady?”
Johanna nudged her. “Go on now. His Grace has asked you a question.”
“Not exactly.” Winifred scurried forward and shoved the rolled-up paper at him. “It’s a message to Lady Vivian. I swear I knew nothing about it, or I wouldn’t have allowed her to meet him.”
Luke stood up straighter and took the note. “Meet who?” He scanned the contents then glanced to Vivian’s maid for answers. “Do you know the identity of O?”
She shook her head. “Well, maybe. But it seems unlikely, Your Grace. I don’t like to speculate.”
“Do it anyway.”
She took a step back and fidgeted with her apron.
“I’m not angry with you, Winifred, but I can’t promise how much longer my patience will last.”
“It’s the groom I spoke with you about last night,” Johanna blurted.
Luke raised his brows at Winifred.
“It could be Owen, Your Grace. He served at Brighthurst House awhile back. I didn’t know he was here until Miss Truax told me.”
“And what would this man want with your lady?”
“I don’t know.”
Johanna rolled her eyes, likely thinking no one would notice.
“Do you have something to add, Miss Truax?” he asked, crossing his arms and glowering.
Her gaze shot between Luke and his mother. She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Isn’t it obvious she is involved with this man?”
“She is not,” Winifred insisted. “My lady is a good lady.”
Johanna ignored her. “If you go now, you will catch her in the act. Then you will see I am right about her.”
His mother stood and took the note from him. “I’m inclined to agree with Lady Vivian’s maid. Did you see who delivered the message, my dear?”
The maid shook her head. “No, Your Grace. I found it on her breakfast tray, but it wasn’t there when I carried her breakfast to her.”
His mother scanned the brief missive then pursed her lips. “Thank you, my dear. You may go.”
Winifred chewed her bottom lip and appeared close to tears as she bustled from his study.
When the door closed, Mother waved the note toward Johanna. “Now that the help is gone, let’s be honest, shall we?”
Richard took the paper, his brows lowering as he read the contents. “I don’t understand. Honest about what?”
Mother’s stare never wavered from her companion.
A pink flush stained the younger woman’s cheeks. “I—I have no idea what has transpired, Your Grace. I swear it.”
“I recognize the handwriting, Johanna. I would like you to explain why you sent a note to Lady Vivian arranging a false meeting with a servant.”
Johanna’s complexion drained of color and she swayed. Richard held her up when her knees buckled. “I was trying to help,” she said in a weak voice.
“Devil take it!” Luke stormed the door. He had to find Vivian before she landed in trouble.
Once he had cleared the castle doors, he rushed for the stables. A groom was already running to meet him.
“Your Grace, it’s Lady Vivian.” He spoke in a hushed voice, but there was a hint of fear in his tone.
“Where is she? Is she hurt? Take me to her.”
The servant fell in step with Luke to return to the stables. “Mr. Collier rode away with her in the phaeton. I tried to stop him.”
“Which way?”
The groom pointed north toward the village. “The gentleman is reckless. I pray for her ladyship’s safe return.”
“Saddle my horse,” Luke snapped as they passed into the stables.
Richard came up beside Luke. “Make that two horses.”
His mother and a tearful Johanna were several strides behind his brother.
Luke held his fist stiffly at his side for fear of throttling Johanna. “Mr. Collier has taken Vivian. What does he plan to do with her?”
Her jaw fell open. “But that wasn’t supposed to happen. He was to summon the groom.”
“Dammit!” Luke slammed his fist against the stall. She jumped and fresh tears flowed down her cheeks. “I told you the blackguard couldn’t be trusted. You will be held accountable, Miss Truax. And don’t think you will come out of this lightly.”
He stalked past her to where Thor was housed.
“He said he loves her,” Johanna called after him. “He was going to offer for her hand once you were freed from the betrothal.”
“Hush,” his mother scolded.
Luke took the reins from the groom to lead Thor from the stables. “I never wanted to be freed from Vivian. I just didn’t know until I met her.”
Richard joined him outside with his horse in tow. They mounted and set off for the gate.
“I’ll kill him if he has touched her.”
“Understood,” Richard said as they cleared the gate.