I had no such warm feelings. My dismay increased as I saw Georgie dancing with Mr. Carew.
Just because my father’s life had spun out of control was no need for my own to follow suit. I knew what I wanted, I just had to figure out how to convince Georgie.
We walked toward the duke’s study. With each step, I was further away from the future I wanted, but I needed to hear of Prahmn’s downfall and to secure a promise from the duke, that he’d never again tamper with life to gain revenge.
* * *
Closing the door to the study so that onlookers wouldn’t stumble inside, I waited for the duke and Livingston to pour glasses of brandy.
The sideboard was again cluttered with bottles. The duke filled a third glass and left it there. “You might need this, Sebastian.”
“I might, but I think I’m owed the truth more.”
Torrance took a sip, then sat on the edge of the desk. He lifted a green chess piece from a set I hadn’t seen before; the marble chessboard set at his hip. “Free yourself. Say what’s on your mind.”
“My friend Livingston, he told me of the difficulties that my father caused in your life.”
The duke put the pawn in front of the cornered king piece of the opposite color. “Checkmate. Talkative Livingston? I didn’t think you spoke of anything but research and your stance against marriage.”
The earl took a big swig from his glass. “Don’t want to exactly be on your bad side, Your Grace, but when we met—”
“Met years ago in Brooks’s. I’d had a miserable day at a hearing. My rights were again unnecessarily delayed. I was particularly angry because time can’t be restored. I missed my sister’s final days. The money for doctors that might’ve extended her life was denied. Lord Prahmn was the chief instigator. The heathen used everything—my faith, lineage, everything—to force narrow-minded men to delay seeing a marriage and birth records for what they were, accurate documents making me the sole heir to my father’s estate.”
Livingston finished his glass and poured another. His hands shook, clanking his goblet against the myriad of blue and green bottles. “So you plotted tonight?”
“Did I expect Prahmn to be taken in by a common prostitute? No. Did I expect that he’d like an enticing woman of loose morals with the appearance of being a widow wanting to be lavished by a man with no scruples or fidelity? Yes. Can a woman trying to advance in the world of fleshly pursuits take a bribe to ensure a fool’s downfall? Yes. Will she fake an accent and learn a few choice Russian words so Prahmn would know this came from me?Da.Da. Da.”
“And how did Miss Wilcox and I fit into this scheme?”
“You didn’t, but I may have tested a reaction. Our drive in Hyde Park proved to me that Prahmn was still the biggest heathen and hypocrite. He’d be angry at his son’s legitimate courtship of a Blackamoor woman while he took more and more risks to be with his new friend.”
“Tell us about tonight.” Livingston looked as if this was an experiment and not my life. “How did you know Prahmn would expose himself?”
The duke chuckled softly. “I didn’t, but my mother has always told me that human nature always wins. So a fool will make himself a bigger one. Seeing you and Miss Wilcox actually in love, not in lust, would disturb a man who doesn’t know the difference.”
“Put enough kerosene or whale oil around matches and something will explode.” I saw no flaws in his logic. I breathed easier, knowing that both I and Georgina weren’t pawns. “Thank you for making sure my mother was away.”
He nodded. “She’s innocent of everything but trying to have peace in her home. I understand that. Mr. Steele advised Chancey to have her packed in case Prahmn’s new mistress wanted her away. And the chance to flounce about Mayfair was a nice inducement for his new friend. The prostitute was handsomely bribed to ask, and the lustful fool drove the marchioness away.”
I imagined that what Prahmn would require of my mother to achieve his public redemption would be incredibly shameful for her—to parade with him to church, to promenade in Hyde Park, to attend all the remaining balls of the season with him, helping to reclaim his dignity. Yet, I knew, as did she, he wouldn’t change. He’d fall back to his indecent behavior as soon as he thought London had forgiven him. “I hope my mother stays away for years. I take comfort that she’s not here feeling obligated to help Prahmn.”
“I have a soft spot for mothers and for all women forced into uncomfortable situations.”
“And apparently prostitutes who are willing to learn Russian.” Livingston stood. “I suppose we should return to the ball. Three daring bachelors awaiting tonight’s pleasures.”
“I think I need to take a long moment before returning.”
“No, Sebastian.” The duke stood up. “You will have your head high. You must accompany Miss Wilcox on the pianoforte, perform, and then the two of you can determine what you do next.”
It sounded as if I had the duke’s blessings.
Not that I needed them. My heart had already determined that Georgie was the one.
“No, no, no. I know that look, Sebastian. Marriage is a mockery. You saw a prime example of that tonight.”
“Livingston, he saw an example of a fool getting his comeuppance. Leave Sebastian alone.”
“No,” the earl said, drinking more of his third brandy. “You don’t want to be married. You’re too young. You’ll ruin your whole life, marrying in your prime. Tell him, Your Grace.”
