The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Six

knave had always prided himself on being capable to spot the derision in any(prenominal) situation, precisely as he stood in the Belgrave drawing mode correction, superstar of the Belgrave drawing rooms, surely on that take were dozens he could find nonhing solely stark, c aged(prenominal)ness reality.Hed spent six years as an gainicer in His Majestys army, and if hed learned one thing from his years on the battlefield, it was that biography could, and frequently did, turn on a single mo workforcet. One ruin turn, one missed clue, and he could lose an entire company of hands. but once he returned to Britain, hed somehow disjointed sight of that. His life was a series of sm alone decisions and insignificant encounters. It was true that he was living a life of crime, which meant he was always dancing a few steps a result of the hang service humanss noose, but it wasnt the same. No ones life depended upon his actions. No ones livelihood, evening.There was nonhin g serious ab step forward robbing coaches. It was a game, really, played by men with too much education and too little direction. Who would have thought that one of his insignificant decisions to moot the Lincoln road north instead of south would lead to this? Because one thing was for certain, his c everyplacefree life on the road was everywhere. He suspected that Wyndham would be much than happy to watch him ride off without a word, but the dowager would non be so accommodating. mislay Eversleighs assurances aside, he was quite certain the old bat would go to extensive lengths to keep him on a leash.Maybe she would not turn him over to the authorities, but she could certainly tell the world that her long-lost grandson was gadding to the highest degree the countryside robbing coaches. Which would make it damned difficult to continue in his chosen profession.And if he was truly the Duke of WyndhamGod help them all.He was beginning to hope that his aunt had lied. Because no one wanted him in a position of such authority, to the lowest degree of all himself.Could someone enliven explain He took a breath and stopped, pressing his fingers against his temples. It felt as if an entire battalion had marched crossways his forehead. Could someone explain the family tree? Because shouldnt someone have realizen if his father had been the heir to a dukedom? His aunt? His mother? Himself?I had three sons, the dowager utter crisply. Charles was the firstborn John, the middle and Reginald the last. Your father left for Ireland adept after Reginald married her vista took on a visible expression of distaste, and she jerked her head toward Wyndham his mother.She was a Cit, Wyndham utter, with no expression whatsoever. Her father owned factories. Piles and piles of them. One of his brows lifted. Very slightly. We own them now.The dowagers lips tightened, but she did not acknowledge his interruption. We were notified of your fathers death in July of 1790.Jack nodded tightly. He had been told the same.One year after that, my husband and my eldest son died of a fever. I did not contract the ailment. My youngest son was no longer living at Belgrave, so he, too, was spared. Charles had not yet married, and we believed John to have died without issue. Thus Reginald became duke. She paused, but other than that expressed no emotion. It was not expected.Everyone intented at Wyndham. He said nothing,I allow for remain, Jack said quietly, because he didnt mold as he had any other choice. And maybe it wouldnt hurt to learn a thing or deuce of his father. A man ought to know where he comes from. That was what his uncle had always said. Jack was beginning to wonder if hed been whirl forgiveness in advance. Just in fibre he decided one day that he wished to be a Cavendish.Of course, Uncle William hadnt met these Cavendishes. If he had, he mightve revised that statement entirely.Most judicious of you, the dowager said, clapping her hands togethe r. Now consequently, we entirely first, Jack cut in, I must return to the inn to collect my belongings. He glanced about the drawing room, al al intimately laughing at the opulence. Meager though they are.Nonsense, the dowager said briskly. Your things will be replaced. She looked down her nose at his traveling costume. With items of far greater quality, I might add.I wasnt asking your permission, Jack said lightly. He did not like to allow his anger to reveal itself in his articulatio. It did install a man at a disadvantage.Nonethe Furthermore, Jack added, because really, he didnt wish to hear her voice any more than he had to, I must make explanations to my associates. At that he looked over at Wyndham. postal code approaching the truth, he added dryly, lest the duke endure that he intended to spread rumors throughout the county.Dont disappear, the dowager directed. I assure you, you will regret it.Theres no worry of that, Wyndham said blandly. Who would disappear with th e promise of a dukedom?Jacks jaw tightened, but he squeeze himself to let it pass. The afternoon did not necessitate another fistfight.And whence bloody underworld the duke abruptly added, I will accompany you.Oh, salutary God. That was the last thing he needed. Jack swung around to face him, lifting one dubious brow. Need I worry for my safety?Wyndham stiffened visibly, and Jack, who had been trained to notice even the smallest of details, saw that both of his fists clenched at his sides. So hed insulted the duke. At this point, and considering the bruises he was likely to find dye his throat, he didnt financial aid.He turned to Miss Eversleigh, religious offering her his most self-effacing smile. I am a threat to his very identity.Surely any reasonable man would question his safety.No, youre wrong she cried out. You misjudge him. The duke She taw a horrified look at Wyndham, and they all were forced to share her discomfort when she realized what shed said. save she pl owed on, determined girl that she was.He is as honorable a man as I have ever met, she continued, her voice low and fervent. You would never come to harm in his company.Her cheeks had flushed with passion, and Jack was struck by the most acidic thought. Was in that location something between Miss Eversleigh and the duke? They resided in the same house, or castle, as it were, with completely an embittered old lady for company. And while the dowager was anything but senile, Jack could not imagine that there was any lack of opportunity to engage in a dalliance under her nose.He watched Miss Eversleigh closely, his eye falling to her lips. Hed confusiond himself when he kissed her the night before. He hadnt meant to, and he certainly had never do such a thing before whilst attempting to rob a coach. It had seemed the most natural thing in the world to touch her chin, tilt her face up toward his, and brush his lips against hers.It had been soft, and fleeting, and it had taken him un til this moment to realize beneficial how cloudyly he wanted more.He looked at Wyndham, and his jealousy must have shown on his face because his newly discovered cousin looked coolly amused as he said, I assure you, whatever violent urges I possess, I shall not act upon them.That is a terrible thing to say, Miss Eversleigh responded. scarcely honest, Jack acknowledged with a nod. He did not like this man, this duke who had been brought up to view the world as his private domain. But he appreciated honesty, no matter the move aroundce.And as Jack looked him in the eye, there seemed to develop an unspoken agreement. They did not have to be friends. They did not even have to be friendly. But they would be honest.Which suited Jack mediocre fine.By modifys calculations, the men ought to have returned within ninety minutes, two hours at most. She had not spent much time in a saddle, so she was not the trounce judge of speed, but she was fairly certain that two men on horse hold up could reach the posting inn in something less than an hour. Then Mr. Audley would need to retrieve his belongings, which could not take very long, could it? And then Get away from the window, the dowager snapped. pardons lips tightened with irritation, but she managed to return her expression to one of placidity before she turned around. generate yourself useful, the dowager said. benevolence glanced this way and that, trying to decode the dowagers order. She always had something specific in mind, and benevolence hated it when she was forced to guess.Would you like me to read to you? she asked. It was the most pleasant of her duties they were currently reading Pride and Prejudice, which gentleness was enjoying immensely, and the dowager was pretending not to like at all.The dowager grunted. It was a no grunt. goodwill was fluent in this method of communication. She took no contingent pride in this skill.I could pen a letter, she suggested. Werent you planning to respond to the recent missive from your child?I can write my own letters, the dowager said sharply, even though they both knew her spelling was atrocious. Grace always ended up rewriting all of her correspondence before it was posted.Grace took a deep breath and then let it out slowly, the exhale shuddering through her. She did not have the susceptibility to untangle the inner workings of the dowagers mind. Not today.Im hot, the dowager announced.Grace did not respond. She was hoping none was necessary. And then the dowager picked something up off a nearby table. A fan, Grace realized with dismay, just as the dowager snapped it open.Oh, please, no. Not now.The dowager regarded the fan, a rather festive blue one, with Chinese paintings in black and gold. Then she snapped it stick out shut, webly just to make it easier for her to hold it before her like a baton.You may make me more comfortable, she said.Grace paused. It was wholly for a moment, probably not even a full second, but it was her just means of rebellion. She could not say no, and she could not even allow her distaste to show in her expression. But she could pause. She could hold her soundbox still for just enough time to make the dowager wonder.And then, of course, she stepped forward.I find the air quite pleasant, she said once she had assumed her position at the dowagers side.That is because you are pushing it about with the fan.Grace looked down at her employers pinched face. Some of the lines were due to age, but not the ones near her mouth, pulling her lips into a perpetual frown. What had happened to this charr to make her so bitter? Had it been the deaths of her children? The loss of her youth? Or had she simply been born with a sour disposition?What do you hypothecate of my new grandson? the dowager asked abruptly.Grace froze, then quickly regained her composure and resumed fanning. I do not know him well enough to form an opinion, she answered carefully.The dowager continued to look straight ahea d as she answered, Nonsense. All of the best opinions are formed in an instant. You know that very well. Else youd be married to that odious little cousin of yours, wouldnt you?Grace thought of Miles, ensconced in her old home. She had to admit, every now and then the dowager got things but right.Surely you have something to say, Miss Eversleigh.The fan rose and fell three times before Grace decided upon, He seems to have a buoyant sense of humor.Buoyant. The dowager repeated the word, her voice curious, as if she were examination it out on her tongue.An apt adjective. I should not have thought of it, but it is fitting.It was about as close to a compliment as the dowager ever got.He is rather like his father, the dowager continued.Grace travel the fan from one hand to the other, murmuring, Is he?Indeed. Although if his father had been a bit more buoyant, wed not be in this mess, would we?Grace choked on air. Im so sorry, maam. I should have chosen my words more carefully.The dowag er did not bother to acknowledge the apology. His levity is much like his father. My John was never one to allow a serious moment to pass him by. He had the most cutting wit.I would not say that Mr. Audley is cutting, Grace said. His humor was far too sly.His name is not Mr. Audley, and of course he is, the dowager said sharply. Youre too blotto to see it.I am not besotted, Grace protested.Of course you are. Any girl would be. He is most handsome. Pity about the eyes, though.What I am, Grace said, resisting the urge to point out that there was nothing wrong with green eyes, is overset. It has been a most exhausting day. And night, she added after a thought.The dowager shrugged. My sons wit was legendary, she said, setting the conversation back to where she wished it. You wouldnt have thought it cutting, either, but that was simply because he was far too clever. It is a brilliant man who can make insult without the recipient even realizing.Grace thought that rather sad. What is the point, then?The point? The dowager blinked several times in rapid succession. Of what?Of insulting someone. Grace shifted the fan again, then shook out her free hand her fingers were cramped from clutching the handle. Or I should say, she amended, since she was quite sure the dowager could find many good reasons to cut someone down, of insulting someone with intention of their not noticing it?The dowager still did not look at her, but Grace could see that she rolled her eyes. It is a source of pride, Miss Eversleigh. I wouldnt expect you to understand.No, Grace said softly. I wouldnt.You dont know what it means to excel at something. The dowager pursed her lips and stretched her neck slightly from side to side. You couldnt know.Which had to be as cutting an insult as any, except that the dowager seemed completely unaware shed done it.There was irony in there somewhere. There had to be.We live in interesting times, Miss Eversleigh, the dowager commented.Grace nodded silently, turning her head to the side so that the dowager, should she ever choose to turn her head in her direction, would not see the rupture in her eyes. Her parents had lacked the funds to travel, but theirs had been wandering hearts, and the Eversleigh home had been filled with maps and books about faraway places. Like it was yesterday, Grace remembered the time they had all been sitting in front of the fire, engrossed in their own reading, and her father looked up from his book and exclaimed, Isnt this marvelous? In China, if you wish to insult someone, you say, May you live in interesting times.Grace suddenly did not know if the tears in her eyes were of sorrow or mirth.That is enough, Miss Eversleigh, the dowager said suddenly. I am quite cooled.Grace shut the fan, then decided to set it down on the table by the window so she would have a reason to cross the room. Dusk hung only lightly in the air, so it was not difficult to see down the drive. She was not certain why she was so eager to ha ve the two men back possibly just as inference that they had not killed each other on the trip. Despite defending doubting Thomass sense of honor, she had not liked the look in his eyes. And she had certainly never known him to attack someone. Hed looked positively feral when he lunged for Mr. Audley. If Mr. Audley had been less of a fighting man himself, she was quite certain Thomas would have done him permanent harm.Do you think it will rain, Miss Eversleigh?Grace turned. No.The wind is weft up.Yes. Grace waited until the dowager turned her attention to a trinket on the table next to her, and then she turned back to the window. Of course the moment she did, she comprehend I hope it rains.She held still. And then she turned. I beg your pardon?I hope it rains. The dowager said it again, so very matter-of-fact, as if anyone would wish for precipitation while two gentlemen were out on horseback.They will be drenched, Grace pointed out.They will be forced to take each others measur e. Which they will have to do in the beginning or later. Besides, my John never minded riding in the rain. In fact, he rather enjoyed it.That does not mean that Mr. Cavendish, the dowager inserted.Grace swallowed. It helped her catch her patience. Whatever he wishes to be called, I dont think we may assume that he enjoys riding in the rain just because his father did. Most people do not.The dowager did not seem to wish to consider this. But she acknowledged the statement with, I know nothing of the mother, that is true. She could be responsible for any number of adulterations.Would you care for tea, maam? Grace asked. I could ring for it.What do we know of her, after all? Almost certainly Irish, which could mean any number of things, all of them dreadful.The wind is picking up, Grace said. I shouldnt want you to get chilled.Did he even tell us her name?I dont believe so. Grace sighed, because direct questions made it difficult to pretend she wasnt a part of this conversation.Dear Lord. The dowager shuddered, and her eyes took on an expression of utter horror. She could be Catholic.I have met several Catholics, Grace said, now that it was clear that her attempts to divert the subject had failed. It was strange, she murmured. None had horns.What did you say?Just that I know very little about the Catholic faith, Grace said lightly. There was a reason she often directed her comments to a window or wall.The dowager made a noise that Grace could not quite identify. It sounded like a sigh, but it was probably more of a snort, because the next words from her mouth were We shall have to get that taken care of.She leaned forward, pinching the bridge of her nose with her fingers and looking extremely put out. I suppose I shall have to wrap up the archbishop.Is that a problem? Grace asked.The dowagers head shook with distaste. He is a beady little man who will be lording this over me for years.Grace leaned forward. Was that movement she saw in the distance?Heaven knows what sorts of favors he shall demand, the dowager muttered. I suppose I shall have to let him sleep in the State Bedroom, just so he can say he slept on Queen Elizabeths sheets.Grace watched as the two men on horseback came into view. They are back, she said, and not for the first time that evening, wondered just what role she was meant to play in this drama. She was not family the dowager was certainly correct in that. And despite Graces relatively lofty position within the household, she was not included in matters pertaining to family or title. She did not expect it, and indeed she did not want it. The dowager was at her surpass when matters of dynasty arose, and Thomas was at his worst when he had to deal with the dowager.She should excuse herself. It did not matter that Mr. Audley had insisted upon her presence. Grace knew her position, and she knew her place, and it was not in the middle of a family affair.But every time she told herself it was time to go, that she ought to turn from the window and avouch the dowager that she would leave her to talk with her grandsons in private, she could not make herself move.She kept hearing no, feeling Mr. Audleys voice.She stays.Did he need her? He might. He knew nothing of the Wyndhams, nothing of their history and the tensions that ran through the house like a vicious, uncontrollable spiderweb. He could not be expected to navigate his new life on his own, at least not right away.Grace shivered, hugging her arms to her chest as she watched the men dismount in the drive. How strange it was to feel needed. Thomas liked to say he needed her, but they both knew that was untrue. He could hire anyone to put up with his grandmother. Thomas needed no one. Nothing. He was marvelously self-contained. Confident and proud, all he really needed was the occasional pinprick to burst the bubble that surrounded him. He knew this, too, which was what saved him from being entirely insufferable.Hed never said as much, but Grace knew it was why they had become friends. She was possibly the only person in Lincolnshire who did not bow and scrape and say only what she thought he wished to hear.But he didnt need her.Grace heard footsteps in the hall and turned, stiffening nervously. She waited for the dowager to order her gone. She even looked at her, raising her brows ever so slightly as if in a dare, but the dowager was staring at the door, determinedly ignoring her.When the men arrived, Thomas walked in first.Wyndham, the dowager said briskly. She never called him anything but his title.He nodded in response. I had Mr. Audleys belongings sent up to the blue silk bedroom.Grace shot a careful look over at the dowager to gauge her reaction. The blue silk bedroom was one of the nicer guest bedchambers, but it was not the largest or most prestigious. It was, however, just down the hall from the dowager.Excellent choice, the dowager replied. But I must repeat. Do not remark to him as Mr. Audley in my presence. I dont know these Audleys, and I dont care to know them.I dont know that they would care to know you, either, commented Mr. Audley, who had entered the room behind Thomas.The dowager lifted a brow, as if to point out her own magnificence.bloody shame Audley is my late mothers sister, Mr. Audley stated. She and her husband, William Audley, took me in at my birth. They raised me as their own and, at my request, gave me their name. I dont care to stop it. He looked coolly at the dowager, as if daring her to comment.She did not, much to Graces surprise.And then he turned to her, offering her an elegant bow. You may refer to me as Mr. Audley if you wish, Miss Eversleigh.Grace bobbed a curtsy. She was not certain if this was a requirement, since no one had any clue as to his rank, but it seemed only polite. He had bowed, after all.She glanced at the dowager, who was glaring at her, and then at Thomas, who somehow managed to look amused and annoyed at the same time.She cant sack you for usi ng his legal name, Thomas said with his usual hint of impatience. And if she does, I shall retire you with a lifelong bequest and have her sent off to some far-flung property.Mr. Audley looked at Thomas with surprise and approval before turning to Grace and smiling. Its tempting, he murmured. How far can she be flung?I am considering adding to our holdings, Thomas replied. The Outer Hebrides are lovely this time of year.Youre despicable, the dowager hissed.Why do I keep her on? Thomas wondered aloud. He walked over to a cabinet and poured himself a drink.She is your grandmother, Grace said, since someone had to be the voice of reason.Ah yes, blood. Thomas sighed. Im told its thicker than water. Pity. He looked over at Mr. Audley.Youll soon learn.Grace half expected Mr. Audley to bristle at Thomass tone of condescension, but his face remained blandly unconcerned. Curious. It seemed the two men had forged some sort of truce.And now, Thomas announced, looking squarely at his grandmothe r, my work here is done. I have returned the prodigal son to your pleasant bosom, and all is right with the world. Not my world, he added,but someones world, Im sure.Not mine, Mr. Audley said, when no one else seemed inclined to comment. And then he unleashed a smile slow, lazy, and meant to paint himself as the careless rogue he was. In case you were interested.Thomas looked at him, his nose crinkling in an expression of vague indifference. I wasnt.Graces head bobbed back to Mr. Audley. He was still smiling. She looked to Thomas, waiting for him to say something more.He dipped his head toward her in wry salute, then tossed back his liquor in one shockingly large swallow.I am going out.Where? demanded the dowager.Thomas paused in the doorway. I have not yet decided.Which meant, Grace was sure, anywhere but here.