Cole shifted nervously in his chair. He cleared his throat.
He replied, offering a smooth, practiced lie. "A friend of mine told me she was working here, My Lady. I immediately traveled through the night so I came to take her home to her family."
Aunt Margery raised a single, skeptical brow. "Indeed."
Outside in the quiet hallway, Delaney listened to the lie. She thought to herself, her mind rapidly piecing the puzzle together.
A friend. Her uncle did not have friends in high society. He only had creditors and blackmailers.
The only image coming to her head was Lord Hawksley.
Lord Hawksley must have found out, Delaney realized with absolute certainty. He must have found out I am staying in the Hamilton house. He panicked, and he told my uncle to take me out before I could speak to the Duke.
It was a desperate move. They were trying to bring her back to their control.
