That’s not what his countenance said. It had war painted on his pale cheeks.
I would step in and protect my sister, but she hadn’t moved from her position on the stairs.
“Is he evil?” Lydia came to his shin, looking as if she would kick him. “Just tell me, Katherine.”
“No, child,” my sister said. “Let the Duke of Torrance see to his friend’s dying wish. This way, sir.”
With Lydia following closely, he walked to the base of the stairs. “I came because you asked, Lady Hampton.”
My other sister, Scarlett, ran past Katherine and jumped around the duke.
Seeing she still had on the pair of men’s slippers, black leather with a heel, from her last caper, I hoped the duke didn’t think us all mad.
Yet, since he hadn’t stopped looking at Katherine, I wasn’t sure he noticed anything at all.
Scarlett tugged Lydia away and held her. “Is it true you bet a man a pound that you could scale Saint George’s Chapel?”
“Yes, but I only made it halfway before slipping on a buttress and nearly falling to my death. It’s not something I’m proud of.”
“Because you nearly killed yourself.” My tone sounded surprised, for men brag about stupid things.
“I was upset, Miss Wilcox, because I didn’t win the bet. Then I had to be fetched down by my father. It was awful. He said he taught me better . . . how to be a better climber. I don’t gamble like that anymore.”
“Nearly died. Pity you tempted fate.” Katherine took a step. Her gray gown skirted the treads. She stopped one away from him and looked down on him. “You’d think grown men would know better.”
“Anyone can be a fool or be fooled, Lady Hampton. Introduce me to this Wilcox. I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting Miss Wilcox and Miss Lydia Wilcox.”
“That is Scarlett Wilcox. She’s the third oldest Wilcox.”
Hating her cold tone, I decided to help him. “The duke convinced me to end my run and return.”
“Well, he’s a smooth talker. Quite convincing, I’m sure.” Katherine’s tone would freeze the Thames.
“They’re older than me,” Lydia said as if it weren’t obvious. “If he’s good, let’s get him one of Georgina’s biscuits. They are good. So, he will stay.”
“No,” Katherine said. “He won’t be here that long. I mean, he needs to go see Tavis now. Time is short.”
He dropped his greatcoat. The brass buttons jingled when the wool hit the floor. The duke stretched out his hand to me. “Lead me.”
Katherine looked as if she wanted to spit, but I led the duke up the stairs. The rest followed until we approached the bedchamber.
The door opened and Mr. Adam Carew, the brilliant physician who’d treated our family over the years, stepped out. “Your Grace, a pleasure to see you.”
“You know the Duke of Torrance?” Katherine’s brow rose. “I thought you stayed in Russia.”
The prickly tone made Carew back up. “We went to Inverness Royal Academy, the Eton for mixed-race and West Indies boys.”
“Then you went for more study and trained in medicine.” The duke shook his hand. “Carew, I intend to start science lectures again. I want you to come.”
“Science lectures?” Scarlett started smiling.
Katherine’s scowl deepened. “I thought you’d leave again after this.”
The duke didn’t look at Katherine or answer her. Instead, he focused on the physician. “Is the viscount’s condition as bad as I’ve heard?”
“If you think I’m lying, Jahleel,” Katherine said, her voice sounding hateful, more heated than I’d known, “you can leave.”
AndJahleelwas it now?
