Caleb stared at his brother in surprise. “Truly?”
Griffin nodded. “Had it not been for you I’d have gotten a commission, and Devlin, poor sod, would be wearing a wig to court.”
“Your father did think it prudent to have a barrister in the family,” the duchess said, “though I will admit turning you into a soldier, Griffin, would have been a tragic mistake.” She looked at each of her sons in turn. “I hope you can both forgive me and your father for being so wrong about both of you.”
“Of course we can,” Griffin said even though Caleb knew it wasn’t that simple. He would never forget his father’s last words to him.You’re nothing, Caleb. They would probably haunt him for the rest of his life.
Pulling her hand away from Caleb’s, the duchess stood and went to the window. Parting the drapes a bit more, she looked out and said, “Will you at least consider marrying?”
“Mama,” Caleb began.
She turned away from the window and clasped her hands together before her. “It is a reasonable question.”
“Indeed it is,” Griffin said, adding that extra bit of commentary he loved providing.
“There is someone,” Caleb confessed. He watched his mother’s face brighten. “But it is complicated and will require your full cooperation.”
“Oh yes!” She was swiftly back on the chaise and beaming with expectation. “Who is she?” Tilting her head, her expression grew pensive. “Considering where you have been these past months, I assume she’s country bred? Not that I would consider that a hindrance. Much of the gentry resides outside the big cities, but do give me a name, for I am about to expire from sheer curiosity.”
“So I see,” Caleb told her dryly. He cleared his throat and glanced at Griffin, who was looking thoroughly amused. “Perhaps you can call for some tea?”
“Of course,” his brother agreed. Rising, he went to the bell pull.
“Her name is Mary Clemens,” Caleb said while watching his mother closely for any reaction she might have to that particular name.
The duchess frowned. “How odd.”
“What is?” Griffin asked.
“As I recall, your brother, George, was once attached to a certain Miss Clemens. She wasn’t right for the position, however, so your father put an end to the brief romance and encouraged George to look elsewhere.”
Caleb almost stopped breathing. His hand clutched at the armrest, and he felt his teeth gnash together. A heavy hand settled against his shoulder. “Careful now,” Griffin warned.
“She. Wastn’t. Right. For. The. Position?” He could barely get the words out he was so enraged all of a sudden.
The duchess blinked. “Not everyone is cut out to be a duchess, Camberly. It takes a certain kind.”
Dear God, he was going to do or say something he would soon regret. To prevent that, he squeezed his eyes together hard and tried to slow the beats of his racing pulse. “Is that what you truly believe?” He had to ask.
“I don’t think it’s an easy job. It certainly hasn’t been for me.” She gave him a wary look before adding, “That said, however, I must point out that unlike you, George would have been a traditional duke, which means that he would have needed a traditional duchess if either of them were to maintain their sanity. His Miss Clemens would have been ruined by this way of life in the end.”
Caleb bristled. “HisMiss Clemens.”
“Well, yes. She was a very simple, plainspoken girl from what I understand, and while that may have charmed your brother for a moment, she would have been wrong for him in the long run.” His mother drew a deep breath and expelled it. “But you’re different, Camberly. You’re no ordinary duke, so I’m sure the woman you choose to marry will be perfectly suited to you.”
“She’s the same, Mama.”
The duchess looked lost. “I beg your pardon?”
“George’s Miss Clemens and my Miss Clemens are one and the same.”
The duchess’s mouth dropped open. Silence ensued. And then, “That cannot be.”
A knock at the door followed, and a maid appeared with a tea tray. “I see you read our minds,” Griffin could be heard saying from the position he’d recently taken next to the fireplace.
“Is there anything else, Your Grace?” the maid asked and set the tray on the table.
“No,” the duchess said without looking away from Caleb. “That will be all for now.”
