The duke was livid. To say that he was breathing fire was an understatement. His eyes were dark as ink. His expression was raw rage.
He looked dangerous, quite simply fearsome and frightening.
Despite everything, Ailis melted at the sight of him.
But he was not looking at her—his attention was fixed on his mother. “Give me one reason why I should not toss you and that gaggle of squawking geese in the parlor out on your arses right now,” he said with a low and lethal growl. “Who gave you permission to enter my quarters?”
Ailis drew in a breath, surprised by the force of his anger. It was not aimed at her, but she did not want him taking it out on his mother, either. On impulse, she reached out to put a protective hand over the dowager’s slender fingers.
The duke noticed the gesture.
So did his mother, who cast her a smile in response.
Ailis drew her hand away, realizing how inappropriate it was to touch the duchess, even if it was only meant to be a kindly comfort. “I’m sorry.”
“Miss Temple, my mother does not need you to protect her from me,” the duke said, his voice still low and dangerous.“But she does need to give me an explanation for invading my bedchamber.”
Ailis swallowed hard and nodded.
The four of them were now enclosed in his bedchamber, for he had made certain to firmly shut that door behind him and close them all in the large room that had suddenly become as stifling as a tomb.
Wouldn’t all his guests notice his absence? And especially think it odd to hold a family meeting in his bedchamber?
Had anyone followed him up here? Perhaps that someone already had their ear to the door.
The duke, looking quite fierce and imposing, folded his muscled arms across his chest. “Mother? Have you anything to say for yourself?”
The dowager tipped her chin up in defiance. “A mother can sense if something is troubling their children. I was merely worried about you and had to know if something bad was going on.”
“Bad?” He glanced at Ailis, still scowling fiercely. “I am no child. You could have just asked me.”
“And you would have lied to me, Ramsdale. Admit it. You were never going to tell me about Miss Temple.”
“Because it is none of your business. It is no one’s business,” he shot back. “And now, I need to get her out of here and back to the vicarage with no one the wiser. If I hear so much as a whisper bandied about her among your entourage, I shall toss you all out in the cold.”
“No one is going to hear about Miss Temple from me,” his mother assured him. “She’s a delightful young lady and explained her circumstances to me. Yes, I agree she must leave as soon as possible and keep well away from here. Now, how are we going to sneak her out?”
The duke raked a hand through his hair. “I haven’t quite figured out a plan yet.”
“I have one,” Ailis offered, and told them about her mobcap idea and slipping out with the maids. “I could carry a pillow and use it to hide my face if anyone looks too closely.”
The duke growled. “You are not to carry anything.”
“But then—”
“Men!” his mother said with a sniff. “Here’s what we are to do. Once everyone has come down to tea, Mrs. Fitch shall escort Miss Temple down through the servants’ stairs into the kitchen. From there, Grimes will be summoned to escort her into your study.”
“Why?” Edward asked.
His mother rolled her eyes. “Because Miss Temple has only just arrived to collect the charity donation Ramsdale has promised her uncle for the Christmas charity ball. Seeing he had company, she went around to the kitchen door so as not to interfere with the entertainment of his guests. Of course, Ramsdale will order Grimes to see Miss Temple into his study, where he will hand over the donation.”
“But he has already done that,” Ailis interjected. “I have his bank drafts in my reticule.”
“My dear, hand them back to my son. Ramsdale, you are to make a show of handing them over to Miss Temple. After which, you will instruct Grimes to have your carriage readied.”
“Why?” Edward asked.
“Because Miss Temple has foolishly walked here and your kindly brother does not want her walking all the way back to town on her own.” The dowager turned to the duke, the situation completely under her command. “You shall instruct Edward to see her safely home. You may also inquire in the presence of company about her injured shoulder and admonish her for coming out in this bad weather to collect your promiseddonation. But that is all you will say to her. You are then to completely dismiss her from your mind and attend to your guests.”
