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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 21

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Mabel shook her head. "No. We intended to satisfy the wording of the will."Sir Osgood narrowed his eyes. "By pretending to be husband and wife."Mabel met his gaze. "We are husband and wife."Sir Osgood leaned forward. "But not in affection."Mabel kept her voice steady. "Affection is not a legal requirement."Reverend Thorne cleared his throat. "It is a moral requirement."Mabel looked at him. "Then your concern is with our souls, not the trust."Reverend Thorne looked at his biscuit. "I have concerns about both."Lucien placed the railway records on the table. "The trust has been used to fund false contracts. My cousin is attempting to damage the railway before taking control."Silas, who had been invited as an interested heir, smiled. "A convenient accusation."Mabel opened the tin box. "Less convenient than these invoices."Silas's smile vanished.Hobb was called to testify; he claimed he knew nothing. Then Jasper Kett entered with the railway map. Mrs. Crest followed him, carrying the boot she had thrown at the steward.Lady Theodora looked at the boot. "Why is she here?"Mabel kept her expression calm. "She is a witness."Lady Theodora frowned. "To what?"Mrs. Crest placed the boot on the table. "This was found in Mr. Hobb's office."Hobb stared at the boot. "That proves nothing."Mabel looked at the boot. "It proves you have large feet. Jasper's statement proves the rest."The hearing dissolved into noise. Silas accused Mabel of manipulating the staff. Lucien rose and silenced the room with one look.Lucien kept his voice steady. "My wife has found errors that I ignored. She has protected this household while every person who wanted my title told me I was too proud to need help."Mabel turned toward him. His wife. He had said it without qualification.Silas laughed sharply. "Do not become sentimental, Lucien. You hired her."Lucien met his gaze. "I did. That was the most sensible decision I have made in years."Mabel's heart gave an inconvenient little movement.The trustees postponed their decision until the evidence could be reviewed. Silas left in fury. Hobb was taken into custody. Mrs. Crest reclaimed her boot.Outside the music room, Mabel confronted Lucien. Mabel folded her arms. "You called me your wife."Lucien kept his gaze steady. "You are my wife."Mabel narrowed her eyes. "Temporarily."Lucien tilted his head. "The contract does not say 'temporary' in that particular sentence."Mabel pointed at him. "You are being evasive."
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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

29 Part