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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Chapter 11

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Percival held up a finger. "That is unfair. I have stolen things that were nailed down. I only stopped because it was inconvenient."Lucien looked at Mabel. "Is he threatening you?"Mabel sighed. "He is asking for money."Percival nodded. "Same thing in a better coat."Mabel turned to Lucien. "I can handle my cousin."Lucien kept his gaze on Percival. "I'm sure you can."Mabel pointed at him. "Then do not interfere."Lucien looked at Percival. Percival was studying a stone fountain as if calculating its resale value. Lucien nodded slowly. "I will not interfere."He then told the steward to search Percival's luggage. He instructed the stable master to keep Percival away from the horses. He sent a footman to find the magistrate.Mabel watched him. "That was interference."Lucien clasped his hands behind his back. "It was household management."Mabel raised an eyebrow. "It was interference wearing a hat."Lucien looked at her. "Your cousin used my seal."Mabel folded her arms. "He also used my name to borrow money from a butcher."Lucien almost smiled. "Then he has excellent taste in meat."Percival raised a finger. "The butcher's sausages are magnificent."Mabel sighed.By sunset, Percival had signed a confession and returned the seal. The steward hired him to count coal wagons under supervision. Mabel had arranged it; Lucien had objected; Percival had claimed it was the best employment he had received in years.Lucien watched Percival walk away. "You have made him useful."Mabel kept sorting papers. "I made him busy. Usefulness is a later ambition."Lucien turned toward her. "You might have told me you had a cousin like that."Mabel looked up. "You might have told me your family trust was being drained through false purchases."Lucien became still.Mabel held up the ledger. "Forty-seven dozen lemons. Coal paid for but not delivered. A bridge repair charged twice. Someone is using the estate as a private purse."Lucien kept his voice low. "I know about the bridge."Mabel tapped the page. "Do you know about the coal?"Lucien shook his head. "No."Mabel met his gaze. "Then your steward does."Lucien straightened. "He has served my family for twenty years."Mabel kept her voice steady. "That is not evidence of innocence. It is evidence that he has had time."Lucien took the ledger from her. "Do not investigate this alone."
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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

29 Part