Page 24 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

Patience took an egg, pickled trout, and a roll from the array of food on the sideboard, then joined the men at the table. She glanced quickly at her father and looked away, concentrating on her food. She thanked the footman who placed a fresh pot of tea at her place.

Father had not spoken to her since their altercation in the drawing room. Dinner had been a quiet affair, with him mostly drinking rather than eating. Mother had been visibly nervous, which made her wonder if she and her father had had words while they’d dressed for dinner. At least Mother did not show the marks of any type of violence.

Although, with Alex’s warning, she doubted if Father would attempt anything while in residence here.

Alex wiped his mouth with his serviette and turned his attention to Father. “Wilton, I will be off to London in a day or so. I suggest you open your townhouse so your family can enjoy a bit of the Season, at least attending some of the more moderate events.”

Her hand holding a fork stopped halfway to her mouth. Why would he want them to join him in London? Of course, she would much rather go to London than return to her family’s estate in the country. There was no telling what her father would do if they all went their separate ways and she had failed to secure a betrothal.

“Your Grace, I am flattered that you wish us to follow you to London, but I am afraid at present, I am unable to open my London townhouse.”

Alex studied Father for a few moments, then said, “I will see you in my study when you are through.” With a brief glance in Patience’s direction, Alex stood.

Her jaw dropped as he winked at her before leaving the room. Winked? What did that mean?

Lord’s sake, she was second-guessing everything Alex did. Hopefully, leaving for London would remove some of the strain among them all. Due to the timing and circumstances of her betrothed’s death, she would not feel comfortable attending balls and such. However, she could at least find things to occupy her time besides embroidery and dodging her father.

Once the door to the breakfast room closed, her father leaned forward. “Make the most of this London visit, daughter. I expect to hear of a betrothal shortly.”

Rather than start anything up again, she merely nodded. Father shoved his chair back and followed Alex from the room.

…

A short time before dawn two days later, Patience stifled a yawn as Alex handed her into a well-sprung carriage with the Duke of Bedford crest on the doors, and followed her inside. His mother was already settled in the coach, while Patience’s parents would travel to London in their own carriage. Truth be told, she was grateful to be riding with Alex and his mother. She was afraid of the continuous harangue she would have had to endure had she traveled in the Wilton carriage.

Despite Father’s complaints about his lack of money, he did consent to opening the London townhouse after speaking with Alex. She wondered if Alex had offered to fund the necessary expenses. But since the men surrounding her felt it was never necessary to take her into their confidence, guessing was about all she could do.

“There are pillows and blankets under the seat, if you wish to sleep.” Alex directed his comments to her.

“No, thank you. I merely need a little time to wake up. I’m afraid I am not too lively in the morning. Usually, once I have a cup of tea, I become almost human again.” Certainly, being able to stare across the carriage at Alex had her heart pumping, so she would wake up much faster. He, on the other hand, looked as wide awake as if it were two o’clock in the afternoon.

“How is it you look so alert?”

Alex smirked. “You forget I spent four years in service to the Crown. One does not get to lollygag in bed when confronted by one’s superior officers.”

“I will never understand why you had your grandfather purchase colors for you, other than to provoke your father.” The duchess sniffed and raised her chin. “One thinks you would have had more consideration for his wishes.”

Alex’s relaxed demeanor abruptly changed. “I had as much regard for the duke’s wishes as he had for mine. But, then again, he had no aspirations where I was concerned. However, madam, since this will be a lengthy trip with us all bundled together, I prefer to not spend the time examining my motives in what I have chosen to do thus far in my life.”

The duchess’s lips tightened, but she offered no rejoinder. Fluffing the pillow behind her head, she turned slightly and closed her eyes. Patience breathed a sigh of relief. Listening to mother and son bicker in the close confines of the coach would have made for a very unpleasant ride.

Patience studied Alex as he tapped his finger on his thigh and stared out the window at the gloomy morning. Now that the sun had risen, daylight revealed a cloudy sky with light drizzle, somewhat diminishing her initial enjoyment at heading to London. She took the pillow lying alongside her and placed it behind her head. Maybe a bit more sleep would be just the thing after all.

…

With both women attempting sleep, Alex’s thoughts turned to what he’d pushed from his mind. He’d captured the spy, Lord Loverly, in the United States and returned him to the War Department. As far as he’d known, given his scant contact with the War Department since his return, Loverly had been in custody awaiting a trial in the House of Lords once Parliament convened in April. Now it appeared he had escaped.

It was not unknown for a man charged with treason to commit suicide, rather than face a well-publicized trial and eventual beheading. Since Loverly had only one daughter, who rumor had it, had disappeared, a scandalous trial or a suicide would only hurt himself. Perhaps, the newspapers would report finding his body sometime soon.

Next, he turned his attention to the matter of Lady Patience. His insistence on Wilton opening his townhouse, the expense of which Alex had assumed, made it a bit easier to keep his eye on

Wilton’s treatment of Patience. At the same time, having her in a separate house would help his confusion about their future, as he wrestled with his feelings about marriage in general, and to Patience in particular.

He wanted her. Oh yes, how he wanted her. Her body drew him like metal to a magnet. There was no telling what might happen between them if they continued to sleep under the same roof. He didn’t need that complication. Now, it was best to concentrate on his new duties, have Patience nearby to keep an eye on her father, and put all thoughts of her in the capacity of his duchess from his mind.

Most of all, his wisest stratagem going forward was to keep his hands to himself.

…