She grinned slyly and let go of his hand. “I’m happy to share it with your wife.” Then with a soft twirl of skirts, she turned and floated as if on air to the door.
He watched her until she left, then slumped back into his chair. Her idea to look for his potential wife in London was the last thing he wanted. While it pleased him that she was so happy, he didn’t see a happy resolution to his dilemma. He would either appear to be too picky and selfish or he would have to tell her and break her heart again.
Which begged the question, if he did so much damage to the women he loved, would they have been better off if he’d died on that battlefield like his men had expected him to?
Chapter Two
Mariel descended thegrand staircase at Silver Meadows, the place of her sister’s new school, her emotions under tight control. It would not be appropriate to rant and rave before the duke. A full day of crying and a sleepless night was enough. The Viscount of Blackmore deserved no more of her time.
Reaching the entryway of the grand home, she moved through the parlor and into the drawing room where her hosts the Duke and Duchess of Northwick sat reading their respective news sheets. She could see the duke’s face above his reading material. His dark brows knit and his blue eyes were steadily moving. His dark brown hair had begun to curl at the nape. He would no doubt have it cut soon as he preferred it shorter.
The duchess, her sister Joanna, looked up first and quickly set down her sheets. “Mariel.” She rose and approached with her arms held wide, her hazel eyes brimming with sympathy.
She quickly held up a hand to stop Joanna. Any touch might cause her to lose her composure. “I am fine.”
When her sister hesitated, but didn’t move, she softened her voice. “Please.”
Joanna’s arms came down and she gave a curt nod. Flicking a black curl over her shoulder, she moved back to her chair, her pretty bright blue dress reminding Mariel of the sky outside.
Relieved that no sisterly hug was forthcoming, she moved to the sideboard as a servant arrived with a new pot of tea. There were numerous tasty treats from seed cakes, to toast and jam, to honey cakes. Though she thought it quite a lot considering all the young ladies of Joanna’s school, Belinda’s School for Curious Ladies, were in London for the season, she refrained from commenting because she did so love a honey cake.
She made her selection then joined her sister and the duke at the table. The duke set aside his newsprint and smiled politely. “Good morning.”
She gave him a polite nod. “Good morning. Is there anything of interest in the country news?”
He grimaced. “Hardly, unless, of course, you have a stake in the fate of Mr. Lowel’s two pigs.”
“Mr. Lowel?” She poured her tea and added sugar.
“Yes. He is a farmer not far from here, and it appears his pigs walked into Widow Barough’s kitchen through an open door and enjoyed the dinner meant for the august widow.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “You are jesting.”
James Huntington raised dark brows and managed an extremely arrogant posture, but the laughter in his blue eyes belied his affectation. “I assure you, my lady, I do no such thing.”
Her lips tugged upward at the silliness of the story. “And what, pray tell, is to be the fate of farmer Lowel’s pigs for such a horrifying deed?”
“Well, the widow demanded they be put to death for their perfidy and be served to her in multiple dinners.”
Trying hard to match the gravity of the duke’s demeanor, she clasped her hands together. “Oh, do tell me they met not such a fate.”
“I admit, the judge found a compromise, and as soon as the sow’s piglets are weaned, they are to be turned over to the widow for raising and, dare I say, eating.”
“Oh, James.” Joanna rolled her eyes. “Don’t pay him any attention, Mariel. I’m sure there was no such story in the paper.”
She unclasped her hands and gave the duke a friendly smile. “I don’t think I care to know if it’s true or not. Thank you, James.”
“I’m pleased I was able to entertain you.” He rose and moved toward the sideboard himself, though it was obvious he’d already eaten.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Joanna’s question was anything but polite conversation.
“I am tired, and I fear my eyes are quite swollen despite the ice you sent up, but I shall continue on as I have.”
Joanna reached across the table and took her hand. “You have always been so strong, and so helpful. Is there anything I can do?”
She shook her head. “No. I think I’ll take Xeres out for a ride today and enjoy this beautifully crisp weather. It’s such a relief to see the sun after this past year.”
Joanna gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it. “After yesterday, I made the decision to stay on here at Silver Meadows until you are ready to travel to London.”
