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“Dev knew”—A
“It isn’t awful of you. For entirely different reasons, I was glad when Victor died.” He wanted to hold her, to offer her at least the comfort of his embrace, but she wasn’t seeking it. “Are you up to a turn in the garden?”
“I am.” A
“You aren’t sleeping well,” he concluded. And neither was he, of course. “And you look like you’ve lost weight, A
“You’re looking a bit peaked yourself, and you’ve lost weight, as well.”
I miss you terribly.
“Are my parents treating you well?” the earl asked, resuming their sedate walk.
“They are lovely, Westhaven, and you knew they would be, or you wouldn’t have sent us here. I am particularly fond of your papa.”
“You are? That would be the Duke of Moreland?”
“Perhaps, though the duke has not been in evidence much. There’s a pleasant older fellow who bears you a resemblance, though. He delights in telling me stories about you and your brothers and sisters. He flirts with my grandmother and my sister, he adores his wife, and he is very, very proud of you.”
“I’ve met him. A recent acquaintance, but charming.”
“You should spend more time with him,” A
“Competitive? I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Well,” A
Tell me now, A
“How soon can I remove to Willow Bend?” she asked, that forced, bright smile on her face again.
“Tomorrow,” the earl said, blinking. “I trust you to complete the sales transaction, and the house will fare better occupied. It will please me to think of you there.” She stumbled, but his grip on her arm prevented her from falling.
“I have been dependent on the Windhams’ kindness long enough,” A
“A
“How are you really?”
The bright, mendacious smile faltered.
“I am coping,” she said, staring out across the beds of flowers. “I wake up sometimes and don’t know where I am. I think I must see to your lemonade for the day or wonder if you’re already in the park on Pericles, and then I realize I am not your housekeeper anymore. I am not your anything anymore, and the future is this great, yawning, empty unknown I can fill with what? Flowers?”
She offered that smile, but he couldn’t bear the sight of it and pulled her against his chest.
“If you need anything,” he said, holding her against him, “anything, A
She said nothing, clinging to him for one long desperate moment before stepping back and nodding.
“Your word, A
“You have my word,” she said, smile tremulous but genuine. “If I am in any difficulties whatsoever, I will call on you.”
The ster
“Esther.” He nuzzled her crown. “I find I am fully recovered.”
“This is amazing,” his wife replied, “as you have neither a medical degree nor powers of divination.”
“True.” He nuzzled her again. “But two things are restored to me that indicate my health is once again sound.”
“And these would be?” the duchess inquired as she watched Westhaven take a polite leave of Miss James.
The duke frowned at his son’s retreating back. “The first is a nigh insatiable urge to meddle in that boy’s affairs. Devlin and Valentine dragooned me into a shared tea pot, and for once, we three are in agreement over something.”
“It’s about time.”
“You don’t mind if I take a small hand in things?” the duke asked warily.
“I am ready to throttle them both.” The duchess sighed, leaning into her husband. “And I suspect the girl is breeding and doesn’t even know it.”
“St. Just is of like mind. He and Val all but asked me what I intend to do about it.”
“You will think of something. I have every faith in you, Percy.”
“Good to know.”
“What was the second piece of evidence confirming your restored health?”
“Come upstairs with me, my love, and I will explain it to you in detail.”
“I am here at the request of my duchess,” Moreland declared.
“Your Grace will always be welcome,” A
“Making the acquaintance of that scamp, Heathgate.” The duke shook his head. “I could tell you stories about that one, missy, that would curl your hair. His brother is no better, and I pray you do not allow me to stray onto the topic of Amery.”
“He loves your granddaughter,” A
“She thrives as always in my loving care,” the duke intoned pompously, but then he winked at A
“A shambles?” A
“A complete shambles.” The duke munched away enthusiastically. “His house is in no order whatsoever. Old Fran is ru
“I am distressed to hear it. But what of the earl? How does he fare?”
“Forgets to eat.” The duke sighed. “Not a problem he inherited from me. Rides his horse every day, but otherwise, it’s business, business, and more business. You’d think the boy’s a damned cit the way he must read every paragraph and negotiate every price. Mark my words, the next heart seizure will be his.”
“Your Grace,” A
“I’ve reformed.” The duke reached for a fourth crème cake. “I do not meddle. I’ve learned my lesson; Westhaven needs to learn his. He did seem to manage better when you were on hand, but no matter. He’ll muddle along. So”—the duke rose, brushing crumbs from his breeches—“My duchess will want to know, how fare you?”
He leveled a lordly, patrician look at her.
“I am well.” A
“Not fainting, are you?” The duke glowered at her. “Makes no sense to me at all. The lord plants a babe in a woman’s womb then has her wilting all over. I can understand the weeps and the constant napping, but the rest of it… Not the way I’d have arranged it. But the Almighty is content to make do without my advice for the nonce, much like my children.”