Caleb drummed his fingertips on the table between them. “I would rather not discuss the matter.”
“Hmm.” Luvington took a sip from his tumbler before setting it aside once more. “Then tell us what you intend to do about it.”
“Therein lays the problem.” Caleb rubbed the palm of his hand across his jaw. “I haven’t a bloody idea how to rectify the situation.”
“I take it Lady Keery is rather cross with you then?” Goldstone asked.
“I am quite certain she is,” Caleb replied. “Regardless, I have much to amend for and no idea how to accomplish it.”
Luvington sat his drink down with a clank. “Have you considered a gift?”
“Indeed.” The Duke licked his lips. “Wives like gifts as much as mistresses do.”
Caleb weighed the merit of their advice and, while he doubted a gift would fix the mistakes he had made—first mistaking her room for that of the widow, Lady Sonya, and then assuming he’d bedded her—at this point he had no better ideas. “Very well. I am off.”
When Caleb stood to go, Luvington followed suit. “What do you intend to get her?”
Caleb glanced around White’s, his attention settling on the bow window and the darkness beyond. “At this time of night, I haven’t a clue.”
Goldstone clapped him on the back. “Lucky for you, I have the perfect something in mind. Let us be off.”
A short carriage ride later, Caleb found himself sitting in Goldstone’s London parlor, Luvington sharing a high back chair beside him with his wife while the duke and duchess sat on a settee across from them. A basket of pups sat on the floor between them while their mother lay nearby. “How am I to know if Jane even likes dogs?”
“I know your wife very well,” Lady Luvington said with a smile. “She is a dear friend. I assure you Jane is quite fond of Mitsi and would be delighted to receive one of her pups.”
The Duchess of Goldstone nodded her agreement. “However, I caution you not to simply hand her a puppy. I know not what you did to earn her vexation.” She paused, studying him. “But I can tell you that a gift alone is not likely to earn her forgiveness. Humble yourself. Explain and apologize.”
“Indeed.” Caleb turned his attention to the basket. One small, white ball of fluff stared up at him while the rest slept. “I suppose I will take that one off your hands.”
“What a delightful choice.” The duchess moved to fetch the puppy before depositing it on Caleb’s lap. “That particular one is my favorite. In fact, I had determined to keep it if none of my close friends wished to claim it.”
“Why?” Caleb asked.
“I wish to see him from time to time,” she replied. “I have been calling him Scamp because of his curious nature, but of course, Jane can name him whatever she chooses.”
Caleb grinned, finding amusement in the way the Duchess spoke of the animal. “I suppose I should be going.”
“Indeed, and good luck.” Lady Luvington offered a compassionate smile while the others nodded their goodbyes.
Caleb stood, holding the wriggling pup close to his chest. Bloody hell, he hoped they were correct. Elsewise, he would be saddled with a curious beast and a vexed wife.
CHAPTER 7
Jane stared out the paned glass window of her personal sitting room. She had spent the remainder of the night, after Caleb left her chamber, between fitful sleep and self-loathing mixed with vexation. There remained no doubt that she should have told him the truth long ago, all the same, he should not have abandoned her last night. This morning her heart was heavy with a multitude of hurt and anger.
For a moment upon waking, she had considered seeking him out. Forcing him to discuss what had happened and not happened between them. She wished to move past their rough beginning and forge a true union. Still, she could not bring herself to chase after him when he had been so cold to her.
True, she had been wrong in allowing him to believe that they had already shared a bed, but he too had been wrong—from the very start. He had been rude, obnoxious, and crass. It was he who set their whole relationship into motion and now he thought he could simply walk away. She knew not what to do, but one thing was certain, she would not go to him. There would be no begging.
Her pride refused to allow her to humble herself on this particular score.
Rap, rap, rap.
Her heart skipped a beat as she called out, “Enter.”
Caleb stepped into the room and she turned her head to gaze back out the window, showing him a dose of the cool indifference he’d bestowed upon her the previous night.
