about Freddy’s mother and her friends.
* * *
After properly messing up their budding friendship during the drive in the park, Freddy hoped today’s outing would regain the ground he’d lost. He’d been a fool to react so strongly to her casual remark about racing. Clearly she had not heard the rumours about what had happened to his brother and he should not allow guilt to ride him so hard.
The past was over and done with, and if his mother could not let it go, he could do no more.
She would not be pleased about his engagement. Not one bit. He’d written to her, of course, given her the news and set things in motion for the betrothal ball. The people on the estate would be delighted. An engagement promised a wedding and a bride promised an heir and all the security of a continuing dynasty. Unfortunately, Mother hadn’t replied to his missive. Not one word. No surprise there.
She would do her duty to the dukedom, as she always had done her duty. But no force on earth could make her show anything but martyrdom as she did it. A problem looming on the horizon. The woman’s negativity would lend the perfect excuse to Minette’s diffidence about the wedding. Something he would have to work hard to counter, when he hadn’t yet managed to overcome his fiancée’s objections.
Meanwhile, he needed to find out who else was clumsily trying to put a hand on Moreau’s collar. He didn’t want the Home Office or anyone else queering his pitch.
He had been surprised by Minette’s acceptance of his word that it was not him or his men stomping around and poking their noses into finding Madame Vitesse’s brother. He had discovered the man’s last name. Every foreigner who entered the country had to register with the Department of Aliens and one Henri Latour was no different. But that was all they had done or would do—unless Madame Vitesse did not provide the information she’d promised.
To his relief, the ladies were ready and waiting in the drawing room at Gabe’s town house.
‘You recall Lady Priscilla and Miss Bernice,’ Minette said, the light of mischief in her eyes.
‘How could I ever forget you, Lady Priscilla?’ he said, bowing, ‘or you, Miss Bernice.’
‘Too kind,’ the companion murmured with a quick nervous glance at his face.
‘I am grateful you were able to indulge us this afternoon and become one of our party or we would have had to cancel,’ Freddy continued. ‘Since I understand Lady Mooreshead had another engagement.’
‘One of long standing,’ Minette said.
Long-standing as of the day before yesterday. It mattered not one whit who accompanied Minette, provided he had an opportunity to spend time in her company and convince her that she desired to be wed. As long as those occasions were in places where he wouldn’t be led any further astray by his lust for the woman. Uncontrolled desire came with unfortunate consequences, like children.
‘Are we ready?’
‘Nicky wondered if we should put up a picnic basket,’ Minette said.
‘All looked after.’
Minette gave him a brilliant smile, and he found himself wanting to nip at her full bottom lip as a reminder to keep that smile only for him. Damn it all, when had he ever been possessive about a woman?
Not with any other woman. The thought echoed in his mind. He decided to ignore it. Their engagement wasn’t about possession or about passion and it would be wrong to let her think it was anything more. It would be not only dishonourable but cruel. He’d been acquainted with the cruelty of false hope all his life.
He helped the ladies into his carriage, seating the Sparshott party facing forward and Minette next to him on the opposite side.
‘Oh,’ said Miss Bernice, clearly dismayed. ‘I should change places with Miss Rideau. It is not right for me to face forward.’
‘Nonsense,’ Minette said. ‘I understand you do not travel well.’
‘You are too kind,’ the governess said, ‘but I feel I really should insist.’
Freddy looked down his nose at the young woman in his best imitation of duke bored to death. ‘I can assure you I have no ungentlemanly intentions towards my fiancée, Miss Bernice.’
The poor woman gasped.
‘Freddy,’ Minette said admonishingly. ‘Take no notice, Miss Bernice. He is putting you to the blush because he is trying to be nice to you.’ She gazed up at him. ‘Isn’t that so?’
‘When did you become an expert on my intentions?’ Then he smiled at the governess. ‘Miss Rideau is correct. But you can blame her for my consideration. When she wrote to tell me of your acceptance of my invitation, she mentioned your affliction. And while it may be more proper for you to sit beside me in the polite world, I prefer you not be made unwell, with all its attendant difficulties.’
‘Enough, Freddy,’ Minette said. She smiled at Miss Bernice. ‘Please, make yourself comfortable, ma’am. It is only a very short journey and I will not speak of our unusual arrangement if you will not.’
Lady Priscilla beamed. ‘Poor, dear Bernie. She really is the worst of travellers. And she is very grateful for your kindness.’
The woman gave up with good grace. ‘You are very kind, Your Grace. Thank you.’
‘Have you ever attended a cricket match, Miss Rideau?’ Lady Priscilla asked.
‘I played once,’ Minette said. ‘On the lawn at Meak one summer. I have to admit I had trouble understanding the rules.’
‘I expect His Grace will instruct you,’ Miss Bernice said.
‘Will you, Freddy?’ Minette asked, her eyes full of laughter.
‘I think between us, Lady Priscilla, who has three brothers, and myself, we should be able to make things clear.’
‘Three brothers?’ Minette said.
‘I know,’ Lady Priscilla said with a sigh. ‘Such a trial. They are so overprotective.’
‘Were they concerned about you coming with me today?’ Freddy asked, the darkness inside him rising up.
‘Oh, no. They trust Bernie to keep me in line, don’t they, dearest?’
The little woman shoved her glasses up her nose, looking terribly unsure.
If they thought a timid companion could handle him, Freddy thought grimly, they were idiots. Which they weren’t. He’d met the Sparshott twins and their older brother. He had no doubt at all that he’d find them at Lord’s Cricket Ground, glowering at him in case he put a foot wrong with their sister.
The carriage pulled up, and he jumped down. ‘This way, ladies. I have bespoken chairs for us.’
Being a duke carried responsibility, but it also had advantages he had, up to now, not utilised. Partly because the opportunity had not arisen, given his current line of work, and partly because he always felt like an impostor. A fraud. No matter what his mother thought,
