Chapter 26
“You’re the Duke of Ashmore’s sister?” Philip’s head snapped towards her.
Arabella dropped her head. “I am so sorry. I wanted to tell you, but —”
Philip struggled for something coherent to say. He felt like he was about to have an apoplexy on the street.
“Papa?” Katy tugged on his arm. She looked fearfully from one person to another.
He pulled himself together. “I think we just discovered your governess, here, is the Duke of Ashmore’s sister.” He tried to say so in a light, jovial tone, as if it wasn’t even worth mentioning, but a streak of fury jolted through him. She’d told him she was an impoverished daughter of a baron, confound it, and that she’d fallen on hard times. He’d never believed her and guessed that she was the daughter of an earl, or a marquess. It turns out she’s the sister of that powerful patron he was supposed to charm. A bloody duke. That was a different story altogether and entirely intolerable.
Why were the women in his life consistently lying and deceiving him? Even Katy had gone behind his back to hire the governess. Who now turned out to be a blasted duke’s sister.
Plague and pest —
“Merivale. We can, of course, continue to converse in the streets if you prefer, or we can go inside and gather in the drawing room like reasonable, civilised people.” The duke’s cold voice left no doubt as to which it was going to be.
His tone raised Philip’s hackles. He threw him a look of hostility. Bah, they were all the same. A breed of people thinking they were superior to everyone else. This one wasn’t going to be any exception.
The duke surveyed the children. “These are yours?”
“Katy, Robin, and Joy,” Philip bit out. The three stared at the duke, terrified.
“Wonderful! I was going to go out shopping, I need a new hat, you know, but this of course tops everything.” Lucy pulled Arabella up the stairs. “Oh, to find you on our immediate doorstep! With such adorable children, too. Didn’t I tell you only this morning not to worry, Henry? Arabella’s just fine. Aren’t you?” She patted her arm. “Come inside, everyone, come inside. I will ring for some tea.” Lucy smiled warmly at Philip and held out a hand to little Joy, who, after a moment’s hesitation, took it.
“I have a mouse,” she informed Lucy. “In my pocket.”
“That’s splendid, my darling. You have to tell me all about her.”
“It’s a he. His name is Minimus.”
“What a fabulous name for a mouse! Do you think Minimus wants to eat ices in the nursery?”
Katy and Robin gasped. “Ices! Like they serve at Gunter’s?” Katy asked.
“Better,” Lucy winked at her.
Joy made a thoughtful face. “Minimus likes strawberry ice.”
“Strawberry ice it is, then. Mrs Willow?” An elderly matron with a gleaming white cap appeared. “Yes, Your Grace?”
Philip blinked, when he realised the whirlwind of a girl who seduced his children with ices must be the duchess. She definitely did not fit his image of what a duchess ought to look like.
“If the children would like to follow me?” Mrs Willow smiled at the children.
Three pairs of heads turned to Philip.
He swallowed. Then nodded. It was probably best to not have them witness the ensuing scene.
The children followed Mrs Willow to the nursery, while Lucy ushered them into a blue and gold drawing room and rang a bell.
“I am so glad you decided to return,” he heard her whisper to Arabella. “You must tell me all about your adventures.”
“Indeed.” The duke’s eyes nailed him down. “An explanation is in order.”
Philip tugged at his blasted neckcloth. His prospects of getting the duke’s patronage for his inventions went down the river.
As soon as the footman had brought in the tea tray and left, the duke crashed down on him.
