“She’s not achit,” I corrected him, more so I would not have to hear his slang than because I cared what he called her. “And her name is none of your business.”
The two of them exchanged wide eyes and wider grins.
“On the contrary, it sounds like her name is very much our business,” Gabriel said. “Is she handsome?”
I groaned. This wasmyhouse, despite how often the two of them descended upon it, and I would not be barraged with questions over this ridiculous and very temporary arrangement.
“She is hardly worth noting,” I said, pacing toward the door.
“Hardly worth noting.I have never heard him speak in such raptures over a woman in my life,” Maggie said. “Gabriel, I think our cousin has found love at last.”
For the first time in his life, Gabriel looked halfway serious. “Did you get the ring? From ... what was the fellow’s name? The man in Derbyshire.”
Hampshire. It was incredible that Gabriel and I had studied under the same tutors. For once, I was grateful for his drinking habits and poor memory. Otherwise I’d have to explain why I had Mr. Wood’s sister at my side.
“I have it sorted, but—”
“Perfect. I assume she is qualified for the role?”
Then, Maggie chimed in. “Lucas,whois she?”
At the moment, I wishedIhad a drinking habit. My shoulders had gone from relaxed to tense in the space of sixty seconds, and I was ready to bolt from the room. “Her name is Miss Georgiana Wood.”
Maggie frowned, turning thoughtful.
“I’ve heard that name.” Gabriel’s brows scrunched together. “Maggie, where have I heard that name?”
“I have heard it too. Hampshire, you say?”
“Thereabouts. Deep in the country. You likely have never met—”
Maggie snapped her fingers, pointing at Gabriel. “Lady Demsworth’s son. What is his name, the redheaded baron?”
“Sir Ronald.”
“Yes!” she breathed. “Penelope Longfellow was at that party—the one where Miss Wood threw herself on poor SirRonald and caused such horrible scandal for the family. It was in the papers, but Penelope said they didn’t report the half of it. Rumor has it, Miss Wood and Sir Ronald were beholden to each other, and then he met some lowly girl from Brighton and changed course. Miss Wood could not bear it and tried to force his hand.”
Beholden to each other? Maggie read far too many gossip papers.
Gabriel harrumphed, somehow both surprised and impressed at the same time. “A woman scorned.”
“Rumors,” I clipped. “And I won’t entertain them. Miss Wood will accompany me—us—on a few outings while I am here in London. Keep your thoughts on the matter to yourselves.”
Maggie scoffed. “You cannot be serious. That girl is so far beneath us, it’s embarrassing.”
Interesting, because she seemed to be everything my cousin admired—clever, cunning, and resilient. “Margaret, I am not in any mood—”
“Forcingmeinto the company of a trollop!” Maggie huffed angrily. “You’re not—” She drew in a sharp breath of surprise and sudden understanding. “Lucas, tell me you’re not ...cavortingwith this woman.”
Gabriel’s eyes widened. He dropped his paper and gripped the arms of his chair. “Whatever you’re doing, marry her first so the child at least can be legitimate.”
Gads, my family would be my death. How had Father managed all that he hadin addition tothe dramatics of the family? I managed hundreds if not thousands of livelihoods beneath our name, and my cousins still expected me to worryabout the opinions of others? It was exhausting. I owed them no explanation, but I would have the final say.
“I amnot—” I started, voice loud and firm. I immediately regretted falling prey to their theatrics. My jaw set. “I will remind you both who you are speaking to.”
Gabriel quickly bowed his head. But Maggie stared back, her nose in the air. “I know exactly who I am speaking to. And, yes, you are the Duke of Marlow. So you must think of the family—”
“I think of nothing else!”
