A Scandal By Any Other Name-Chapter 184 - Hundred And Eighty Four

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.

A cold, steady resolve settled over Delaney’s features, freezing any trace of the warm, loving woman who had just been in Rowan’s arms. She was a Kingsley, and she was going to have her revenge.

Delaney pushed the door open and entered the drawing room.

The bright morning light from the tall windows illuminated the room. Aunt Margery looked up immediately, her eyes searching Delaney’s face for any sign of distress.

Cole Kingsley sat in a chair opposite the sofa, holding his own teacup.

"Good morning, Uncle," Delaney greeted him. Her voice was perfectly smooth, completely devoid of any affection or fear. "I never expected to see you in London."

Cole practically jumped out of his chair. He slammed his teacup down onto the small table, causing the hot liquid to spill over the edges. He pasted a massive, entirely fake smile onto his face.

Cole stood up and threw his arms open wide, preparing to embrace her like a long-lost daughter.

"Delaney!" Cole exclaimed loudly. "My dear girl! I have been looking..."

Before his hands could even touch the fabric of her dress, Delaney took a very deliberate, very obvious step backward.

She put a solid distance between them. She did not raise her voice. She did not shout. She simply looked at him with a pair of cold, dead hazel eyes.

"I am aware," Delaney said. Her voice was as sharp as broken glass.

The rejection was incredibly loud in the quiet room. Cole’s arms dropped awkwardly to his sides. The fake smile on his face faltered completely. He looked nervously toward Aunt Margery, realizing that his niece was not going to play the role of the happy, rescued orphan.

Cole let out a loud, nervous laugh to cover up the deep embarrassment of the moment. He rubbed his hands together.

"Well, well," Cole chuckled awkwardly. "You have certainly grown into a fine young woman. Come now, Delaney. Your aunt is waiting for you at the country estate. We must be going."

Delaney did not look at him anymore. She completely dismissed his presence. She walked past him and went directly to Aunt Margery. She stood before the older woman, who had been sitting quietly, observing the entire, tense interaction.

"I will be going with him, my lady," Delaney announced clearly.

She took a step back and offered Aunt Margery a perfect, incredibly respectful curtsy. It was the formal curtsy of a hired servant taking her final leave from her employer.

Aunt Margery’s eyes widened in genuine shock. She nearly dropped her porcelain teacup. She had expected Delaney to refuse. She had expected Delaney to stay on a low till everything was settled.

"But..." Aunt Margery started, her voice faltering. She leaned forward, wanting to stop the young woman from walking into a trap.

"Delaney, you do not have to..."

Delaney stood up from her curtsy. She looked directly into Aunt Margery’s worried eyes. She offered the older woman a small, meaningful look—a silent plea for trust.

Delaney replied, her voice soft but entirely firm. "I have to go with him, my lady. I have a lot of things to straighten up at home."

She paused, making sure her uncle was listening to the next part.

"Please take care of the Duke," Delaney requested, her voice softening with genuine emotion. "Ensure he gets his rest and if he wakes up, please write to me."

Aunt Margery stared into Delaney’s hazel eyes. The older woman was incredibly sharp. She saw the total lack of fear. She saw the determination. Delaney was not a victim being dragged away; she was a woman walking willingly into the fire with a plan.

Aunt Margery slowly sat back against the velvet cushions. She nodded her head, accepting the decision.

"Take care, child," Aunt Margery said softly, her voice filled with deep, maternal affection. "Remember, the doors of Hamilton House are always open to you."

"Thank you, my lady," Delaney nodded respectfully.

She turned around, her dark traveling skirts swishing quietly against the floor. She walked toward the door, not even waiting for her uncle to lead the way.

Cole Kingsley quickly bowed to Aunt Margery. "Good day, my lady. Thank you for your hospitality."

Aunt Margery did not answer him. She simply glared at him over the rim of her teacup, her silence entirely condemning.

Cole practically ran out of the room to catch up with his niece.

Delaney walked out the front doors of Hamilton House. The crisp, cold morning air hit her face. Mr. Simmons stood by the door, watching her leave with a deep frown on his usually blank face.

A large, plain black carriage waited in the circular driveway. The horses stamped their hooves impatiently against the gravel.

Delaney followed Cole to his carriage.

A footman opened the heavy wooden door for her. Delaney did not hesitate. She placed her hand on the frame, feeling the solid, reassuring weight of the silver pistol pressing firmly against her thigh under her dress.

She climbed into the dark cabin, entirely prepared to finally settle the score with the man who had ruined her life.