Forbidden to Love the Duke(22)

He ought to wait until January before fighting the next.

A treasure hunt appealed to his imagination. It was a gamble, of course. But it was preferable to being arrested for killing a nobleman in a duel.





Chapter 10


James was playing cards with his neighbor, Captain Alan Wendover, when Carstairs brought a letter into the library on a silver salver. “This arrived early today for you, Your Grace. I believe you might have overlooked it.”

James had forgotten the letter, in fact, in favor of spending the afternoon researching the history of Fenwick and Tudor days in general. He knew right away from the handwriting on the letter that Elora had written him. And so, with his intuition for females, did Wendover.

“Let me guess,” Wendover said, putting down his hand of cards on the table. “She’s changed her mind and has a sudden hankering for me. Shall I go to London for our rendezvous?”

James broke the seal, snorting in derision. “If you can make it there with two broken ankles.” He started to read, then lowered the letter, releasing a sigh.

“Bad news?” Wendover said, instantly contrite.

“My arm, that’s all.” He loathed admitting how the pain could suck the breath from his body. “Listen to this.”

Darling,

I trust you don’t mind that I shall arrive several days later than I promised. I forgot that the Earl of Axbridge invited me to his birthday ball. I haven’t forgotten your warning that you are not ready for a wife, but as we have not signed our formal commitment, I assume you understand that I still need a husband.

I know what you need, James.

Yours wickedly,

Elora

“Several days?” Wendover said, laughing. “How will you manage? Does the governess arrive before then?”

James felt the tightness in his arm descend to his ribs. “That’s none of your affair, you rude bastard.”

“Ah.” Wendover brushed a lock of hair from his forehead, turning his head to the window.

“‘Ah,’ yourself,” James said testily. “Is it foolish to hope that in several days my brother’s wife will experience a change of heart, realize she is a faithless doxy, and return to her children?”

“Do you trust a faithless doxy to raise Mary and Walker?”

“Definitely not. They’ve only come to trust me in the last day or so. However, I have the feeling they’re aware of every step I take in this house. It’s unsettling to think that my sister-in-law’s adulterous lover has influenced their upbringing.”

Wendover raised his brandy glass. “Cassandra isn’t exactly what one would call demure.”

“She used to be,” James said, frowning. “She was always sweet and quiet at our family gatherings. I wonder what happened to her. And now I’m in a devil of a bind. I invited Elora here for fun and games. Not the sort that children play. This is a bachelor’s nightmare.”

“You should have stayed in London.”

“Even then I couldn’t have let the children run wild on the estate.”

“But you’ll have the governess soon.”

James took a deep breath to control his temper. “Would you kindly not refer to her as a possession I have acquired?”

“Be on guard, James.”

“Against a lady who has been forced into a humiliating situation?”

“Against yourself. You haven’t been the same since the day of that interview.”

“I haven’t been myself since the children arrived.”

“As you say.”


* * *

It was Ivy’s last morning at Fenwick Manor. Rue brought her a breakfast in bed of tea and a slice of plum cake. Whatever had troubled Rue in London seemed to be wearing off. Perhaps she had merely been upset about losing the necklace.

“Are the others up?” Ivy asked, unbraiding her hair.

“Not yet. I wanted you to know before I tell Lilac and Rosemary that I’ve applied for a position.”

Ivy set aside her tray. She was too nervous to eat and afraid of being late. “As a governess?”

“As a companion to an older lady. I saw the notice in the newspaper the day yours appeared. It sounds like a peaceful position. She has a town house in London and a home not far from here.”

“It sounds safe,” Ivy said without thinking. “You’re too pretty to work for a gentleman, married or not.”

“What about you?” Rue asked, a hint of her old spirit returning. “Lilac pinned the duke for a devil the moment she met him. Even you didn’t deny how handsome he is.”

“Denying how handsome he is and denying him privileges beyond our agreement are two different matters.”

“Perhaps not to him.”