Page 60 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

“Indeed, and as busy as ever. Since no nurse or governess seems to suit her for long, she spends a great deal of time with our children, but any free minutes in her day are devoted to her science.” Manchester placed his glass on the small table next to him. “How goes your new marriage?”

Nash pasted a fake smile on his face. “Fine. Just fine.”

Manchester’s raised eyebrows told him he hadn’t fooled the duke. “I have heard rumors that Lady Clarendon has retired to the country, yet you remain here.”

“Parliament.”

The duke continued to stare at him, and Nash blurted out, “How do you accept Her Grace’s delving into science? Her a duchess?”

“Ah. Does your wife have some offending hobbies? Have little interest in the usual pursuits of ladies of her station?”

Nash blew out a breath. He needed someone to talk to, and apparently speaking with a man who had dealt with a similar issue might help. “She collects injured animals. Then brings them home and nurses them back to health. My life and home are in chaos.”

“So it seems.” The duke took a sip of his drink. “Much like my life, it would appear.”

Nash relaxed when the duke continued. “I was very upset when my wife and I first married. I thought she showed none of the skills, nor the desire to learn them, that a duchess must possess.”

He snorted. “I certainly understand.”

Manchester studied the brandy in his glass as he swirled the liquid. “The most difficult moment was when I discovered that against my explicit orders, she had been submitting scientific papers under a man’s name to the Linnean Society.”

Nash tried very hard not to laugh, but the idea of the meek, easygoing Duchess of Manchester defying the duke was hilarious.

Thinking of his dinner party, he asked, “Did anyone ever find out?”

Manchester threw his head back and laughed. “She was nominated for an award that all of London knew about, and she asked me to accept it for her.”

“Lie?” Nash was appalled.

“Oh yes.”

He leaned forward, loving the story. “What did you do?”

“After much thought, I agreed to accept the award for her.”

Nash shook his head. The story got more interesting. “And what happened?”

“I stood before the entire Linnean Society and told them I was a fake. That my lovely, talented, brilliant wife had duped them all.”

He sat back, his mouth agape. “You didn’t.”

“I did.” He grinned. “You see, Her Grace is adored by our staff, and our children are free to climb upon her, sticky hands and all. She has been known to commiserate with a maid over the loss of a beau and help a footman count the silver if the poor man is behind in his duties.

“However, in order to maintain her standing in Society, I will on occasion absolutely insist that we host a dinner party, or soiree. She then manages to rally the staff to do everything that needs to be done in time for the event.” He smiled. “She truly amazes me.”

It did sound as though the duke’s life was as unconventional as Nash’s had become. Yet the man seemed happy.

“You are happy?”

His smile grew into a large grin. “Absolutely. I love my wife, and anything that makes her happy does the same for me.”

I love my wife.

Why did those words not trouble him as much as they had in the past?

Nash leaned back and considered Manchester’s words. The duke took a final sip of his drink. “I am afraid I must leave you now. I see Redgrave across the room, and we are late for a meeting.”

He watched Manchester greet his brother-in-law, another devoted husband, and the two of them chatted easily as they left the club. Nash called for another brandy, which he sipped while he considered the duke’s words.