Angelo wasn’t certain if he should clarify his intentions and disabuse rumors, and not certain if it mattered. “I do not see why looking for a bride and seducing you cannot both be accomplished.”
“It is because of that answer, I must reject whatever promises you make.”
Angelo frowned. “Why?” Certainly, she knew how these matters progressed. He’d not even settled on who his wife would be.
“Because you are already being unfaithful when the matter at hand is your future, not mine.”
It was then that his cousins returned to his side and the conversation came to an end.
How could he be unfaithful to a wife he did not have? He wasn’t even betrothed or in a courtship.
As her sisters joined Lady Kepple, she bid Angelo a good day then turned and left him standing with his family. The girls were discussing the launch and how they’d like to go up in a balloon one day, but Angelo was hardly paying them any mind.
His earlier assessment of Lord Kepple being an arse had just been further confirmed, or so he assumed. Just how much of an arse Angelo was determined to find out.
Leaving his cousins behind, Angelo left the park and went directly to someone he trusted to know the truth and be discreet.
“Angelo,” his cousin Audrey exclaimed as he sauntered into her sitting room. Unfortunately, she was not alone but visiting with misses ready to wed. He’d also forgotten that this was also a popular time to pay calls. Since he did not participate in the practice, he had overlooked the possibility of who else he might encounter.
“Is your husband at home?”
“In the library, reviewing records to decide which horses he will race in May.”
“Thank you.” He nodded to the visitors. “If you will excuse me.” He then turned and strode down the corridor and entered the library without knocking.
Jordan glanced up in surprise.
“What can you tell me of the Earl of Kepple. Not the current one. The one who died.”
Jordan leaned back and studied Angelo. “Why do you wish to know?”
“Can I simply not wonder?” Angelo demanded as he crossed to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of brandy.
“As you have never bothered yourself with the dead before, it does beg the question of why he is important.”
Angelo turned to note the smirk.
“I hold my own counsel.”
“Which I am certain has nothing to do with a certain widow who has returned to Town.”
Angelo blew out a sigh. “Are you going to be of assistance, or do I go somewhere else?”
Jordan chuckled. “I am not certain I have seen you tied in knots over a woman, and according to the newssheets, apparently a widow rejected you last evening. A Lady K, if I recall.”
“You are an arse!” Angelo ground out.
“Yes, I know,” Jordan returned proudly.
“I am not tied in knots. I am curious. So, tell me what you know.”
“Very well,” Jordan sighed and rose from his desk. “Lord and Lady Kepple were married for ten years before he was killed by his brother-in-law. Before that, the two lived on the family estate in Ireland. During those ten years, Lord Kepple continually kept a mistress. He never even tried to keep it a secret from his wife.”
Angelo frowned. That was very poorly done, though married men having mistresses was not unusual.
“He married her for the English connections, but never let on during the courtship and let her believe it was love. It was something he crowed about after they wed—his success in gaining his wife’s love and hand, and a duke as a father-in-law. From what I hear, he was crass enough that a fortnight after they wed in London, he finally let his mistress go so that they could return to Ireland where he took up with the mistress he had left behind. He went to her the very night they arrived at his estate.”
Angelo now understood why Lady Kepple made such a comment of him being unfaithful when he wasn’t even courting anyone.
