At length, she made her choice. Surely the chance of happiness, however slight, was preferable to certain misery?
“Very well,” she said. “I’ll do as you ask.”
“Are you sure?” Eleanor took her hand, and Olivia’s resolve almost cracked at the tenderness in her sister-in-law’s voice.
“Yes,” she said, “but I have one final question.”
“Which is?”
“What is his name?” she said. “I-I don’t even know his name.”
“His name is Charles Henry Stephen Devereaux,” her brother said. “Fifth Earl Devereaux. You’re going to be a countess.”
At his words, Olivia’s resolve did crumble. The tears unlocked and rolled down her cheeks in silence.
Chapter Twelve
The carriage dippedsideways under Charles’s weight as he stepped out onto the pavement. His valet followed, and together they stared at the building before them. It towered overhead, as imposing as the buildings at Penham Park. But where Penham was shrouded in darkness, Whitcombe’s townhouse gleamed in the morning light, its façade almost bone-white.
To the side a small staircase led downward, presumably to the servants’ entrance. A wider set of steps swept up from the pavement toward the main entrance—twin doors embellished with shining brass handles fashioned into the shape of lions’ heads. The doors were flanked by white pillars, either side of which were enormous, bowed windows, fashioned from multiple panes that reflected the sunlight at different angles. Two stories stretched above the first, and though the topmost was likely inferior due to being the servants’ quarters, the view from there must be particularly impressive, given the building’s proximity to Hyde Park.
In short, the entire structure reeked of wealth and status far above Charles’s own.
“Impressive,” John said. “Can the same be said for your intended?”
Charles kept his hands still, despite the inquiring look on the valet’s face.
“I suppose,” John continued, “one wouldn’t expect Whitcombe to lodge in a small suite of rooms in Cheapside.” Charles frowned, andthe valet gave a grin. “Have I said anything that’s not the truth?”
I see little point in wasting funds on a house in Mayfair. Not when I’ve debts to pay. Perhaps, to reduce the capital outstanding, I should consider sellingyou.
The valet’s grin only broadened. “You’d not get ten shillings for me, sir. As you’ve told me many times, few men of your rank would care to pay an income for a slovenly servant who cannot hold his tongue.”
Perhaps some merchant with little knowledge of propriety might take you. Or I could sell your body for parts to the hospital.
“Ha! There’s grave robbers enough for that. Far better for the surgeons to procure a corpse than end a man’s life. Though, granted, they’d get a good half a crown for my cock.”
“Ahem.”
Charles glanced up at the sound of someone clearing their throat to see a black-clad butler filling the doorway, his expression resembling that of a judgmental schoolmaster.
“I take it you’re Earl Devereaux, here to see His Grace, the Duke of Whitcombe?”
The butler eyed John, then arched a dark brow.
“The entrance for your man isthere, Lord Devereaux,” he said, gesturing toward the steps at the side.
Charles climbed the front steps, his bulkier frame towering over the older man’s. The butler’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, a flicker of fear not quite completely concealed behind his impassive expression.
“M-my master expects propriety,” the butler said.
Ha!If that were the case, the man wouldn’t have tried to pass off his father’s bastard as a lady or let her run wild and compromise herself.
“My master insists I accompany him everywhere,” John said.
“But…” the butler began, and his voice trailed away as Charles raised his hand. His eyes widened, a shimmer of apprehension in them, asif he expected Charles to circle his fingers around his throat.
“You’re at liberty to refuse us entry, of course,” John said, “but if we’re not both permitted to pass through this door, then neither of us will. You must therefore convey my master’s regret that he’s unable to see your master this morning—or at all. I trust your master will not be overly disappointed.”
