Lady Rebecca’s reputation, Lord Swinton’s reputation, as well as others that I consider my friends.”
Lord Kensington threw up his hands. “You can hardly expect me to believe this!” he exclaimed, his eyes wide. “You might very well have convinced others, but I shall not believe it.”
“You must,” Lord Swinton told him sternly. “It is well known amongst the ton that your wife is something of a flirt, Lord Kensington. You know it well, I am sure, but you continue to deny it to yourself. Will you truly continue to do so now when your life might be in danger?”
Lord Kensington made to speak, only to close his mouth tightly again. He shook his head fervently, but no sound came out, as though he were attempting to convince himself that he was right in his own mind. Jeffery prayed that it was not so.
“What is it that my wife has supposedly done?” Lord Kensington asked sharply, looking up at Jeffery. “Why do you believe her to be so malicious?”
Jeffery opened his mouth to reply, only for the door to open again and, with a look of shock rippling across her features, Lady Kensington to step inside. Her hand remained on the door handle, the door wide open, but with one swift action, Lady Hayward stepped back and swiftly closed it, wrenching it from Lady Kensington’s hand. With a sense of satisfaction, Jeffery looked back at Lord Kensington and saw the heavy frown begin to settle over his features as he looked at his wife. He too saw the wide eyes, the paleness that had shot into her cheeks, and the worry now playing about her mouth.
“Lady Kensington,” Jeffery said softly. “I have just informed your husband of the threats you have settled over me, forcing me to do as you ask. He has not believed me thus far, but it does not matter, for I will soon be able to prove it.” Clearing his throat, he looked back to Lord Kensington. “Lord Kensington, your wife first informed me that I was to make arrangements with one Lord Bellingham on her behalf, given that she could not do so herself since you were watching her with a sharp eye. Lord Bellingham was to call upon your wife during the fashionable hour when you were absent, which I believe he did.” Taking in a deep breath and seeing Lady Kensington sinking into a chair, Jeffery continued with determination. “Thereafter, she gave me a series of appointments I was to fulfill. I had to visit various places in London and, much to my astonishment, at each time, you were there also.”
Lord Kensington sucked in a breath, looking wide-eyed at his wife. “You have been very interested in my plans of late,” he said, his words hard and cold. “I have thought it an attempt to show interest in me, but it seems I was wrong.”
“I did not understand why such a thing occurred, nor why I had to greet another gentleman present at the time, but I could not refuse for fear of what would occur if I did not.” He felt Lady Rebecca’s hand slip into his and squeezed it gently, all the more grateful for her support. “I have come to care very deeply for Lady Rebecca, and your wife, being aware of my feelings, did whatever she could to use it against me. Therefore, I asked no questions when I was told to purchase items that had already been set aside for me. I had to do this on two separate occasions, Lord Kensington, and I did so without hesitation. I did not, however, untie the string and look inside these parcels, again, out of fear as to what would occur with Lady Rebecca if I did so. That is, until two days ago, when Lord Swinton, Lady Rebecca, and Lady Hayward stood with me, and we all found out what was inside.”
“This is nonsense!” Lady Kensington cried, her hands flying up around her ears as she gesticulated wildly. “There is no need to listen to such ravings, Lord Kensington. We should return to the ballroom and leave Lord Richmond alone. He has gone quite mad and appears quite determined to—”
“Lady Kensington, I believe that Lord Richmond was to give these parcels to Lord Bellingham,” Lady Rebecca interrupted, her voice flooding the room as Lady Kensington stared back at her, her face milk-white. “Lord Bellingham is to come and collect them from this very room. He will be able to confirm