The imposing man tucked his hat under the arm adorned with a simple black armband to show he mourned his brother. He clasped her fingers in his. In a show of respect, he slowly bent over her hand.
“I’m so sorry we meet under these circumstances,” he murmured. “Randford at your service, Lady Meriwether.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Though he acted the perfect gentleman, the heat of his long fingers clasping hers sent a slow meandering chill down her spine. Ignoring the response, Katherine dipped a curtsey. When she rose, she smiled demurely.
“How are you faring under this trying situation?” he asked with a deep, smooth voice that could charm harpies from the ocean.
Completely captivated, Katherine leaned forward. His sandalwood scent surrounded her, and she inhaled deeply. “Well, Your Grace. Thank you for asking.”
His eyes softened. “I’m glad to hear that.”
The rumbling sound resonated within her chest, warming her insides, and she smiled in return. This man was the definition of dangerous, a celebrated war hero who led his men into battles that others ran from. He always won, no matter the odds. If he had asked her to follow him into one of his heroic war campaigns, Katherine didn’t know if she could have refused. Thankfully, this wasn’t war.
Or at least, she didn’t think so. But heaven knew this was a disaster beyond epic.
“If you’ll excuse me? It was lovely to meet you,” he said.
The vision of a warrior who conquered all dissolved before her eyes. “Wait, you can’t leave.”
“Indeed, I can,” he murmured as he bowed. “And I will.”
Chapter Two
“You can’t leave me with this situation.” Lady Meriwether’s soft tone didn’t dull the steel in her voice. Then she added, “Your Grace,” almost as an afterthought.
Christian Vareck, the Duke of Randford, surmised by her stance that she was a no-nonsense individual, but the twisting of her hands revealed her understandable anguish at discovering she was one of Meri’s many wives.
The slightest twitch tugged at one of her red lips. They reminded him of a rose his mother had grown in the conservatory of his ancestral seat, Roseport. As a boy, he’d stood by his mother’s side as she pruned and grafted Roseport’s famed roses into works of art.
This particular Lady Meriwether’s mouth definitely resembled one of those crimson masterpieces. Under the spectacular color of a perfect bloom lay the thorns designed to skewer any hand that dare threatened. He’d lay odds on it.
Lady Meriwether tilted her head and peeked down the hallway, seeing if anyone could overhear them. “You just proved why many believe that chivalry is dead.”
“I only speak the truth,” Christian countered. “My brother and his estate aren’t my concern.”
She brought her smoldering gaze back to his. The woman’s hazel eyes flashed, turning them into a beautiful golden green.
“I meant to say half brother,” Christian corrected.
The slight tap of her toe indicated her patience was waning. “Half, step, or whole. He was your family.”
“I’m agog you’re defending him after what he’s done, particularly to you, Lady Meriwether.” He shouldn’t be astonished that she upheld Meri’s memory. Christian’s half brother had possessed a certain finesse and appeal that women loved.
“My name is Katherine. Katherine Greer before I married your brother.” She released a long-suffering breath. “As the Duke of Randford, surely you can help sort out the details.”
“You would assume wrongly. This isn’t my problem to fix. It’s Meri’s estate which Mr. Hanes supervises. He asked if I could stop by. I’ve done my duty. Now I’ll be on my way.” He deftly placed his hat on his head, then adjusted it with a tug. “An honor to make your acquaintance, Lady Meriwether.”
His insufferable half brother had made a fine pickle of these marriages, but Christian Vareck’s duties lay elsewhere. Namely, settling into his position as the Duke of Randford and trying to help his men who came home to nothing after returning from the war.
However, before he left Lady Meriwether standing in the hall, he stole a long gander at her person. She honored Meri’s passing by wearing a mourning gown with a short gray silk spencer. Truly, a lighter color would suit her hazel eyes and light brown hair better. Meri’s tastes must have changed since Christian had been at war. His half brother normally favored light-haired women with full bodies and voluptuous bosoms.
Katherine Greer possessed none of those features. She had a lithe form that Christian had always preferred. It had to be her gaze that had first drawn Meri’s attention. Her large resolute hazel eyes fit perfectly with her heart-shaped face. The finishing touch of a delicate, refined nose made her pretty. However, her calm, steadfast demeanor at the situation signaled a woman who would not crumble at the first sign of trouble.
Christian had been back in London for a week, and since the war, he could appreciate beauty in the most unusual of places, even the family’s solicitor’s office and under such a tenuous situation. A man had to find amusement where he could since there was none on the battlefield. Plus, there were no guarantees a man would have enough time on earth to find other pleasures or even happiness.
Meri’s demise offered proof of that fact.
Christian moved toward the exit.
“Your Grace, please wait.” She took several steps forward, blocking the pathway. “Two women in Mr. Hanes’s office need your guidance. If this isn’t handled prudently, then we’ll all be ruined. You, above all others, know this is an impossible situation.”
“My half sibling was a virtuoso of the impossible.” He delivered his most sincere smile. “For instance, he was forever finding improbable and impossible situations to land in … just like that mud puddle.”
“That’s a little glib, even for a duke.” She clasped her gloved hands in front of her in a stance better suited for a governess with a wayward charge.
“Lady Meriwether,” he said patiently. “I asked Hanes to sort things out. Like you, I’ve just discovered what your husband has done. We can’t expect answers immediately.” He dipped his head once to indicate he was leaving again.
“You can’t leave. We”—she waved a hand between them—“are in this together. If word leaks what Meri has done, we’ll face real scandal. Those women in Mr. Hanes’s office need help. They’ll be ruined.” She took a step closer. “I hate to be crass, but you’re the duke, the head of the family, which makes it your mess. You need to clean it up.”
Without hesitating, he took one step back for safety. He groaned dramatically. “Lady Meriwether, lucky for you, I employ people to clean up messes. This office for instance. They’re the best legal minds in London.”
She laughed softly, but her eyes sparkled with a renewed aggravation. “Your brother retained the same people too.” She lifted one perfect eyebrow. “The best legal minds in London apparently don’t have a clue how to proceed.”
Her gaze pinned him in place.
He narrowed his eyes. “You wear sarcasm well, Lady Meriwether.”
“I take that as a compliment,” she purred, then tilted her head in challenge. “What are you afraid of?” she asked softly. “Me? The others?”
“Madame…” He lowered his voice. “I’ve faced Napoleon’s finest infantry in conditions that would curl your toes. I’ve seen fires and horrors on the battlefields that make hell look like a well-groomed park.” He allowed his gaze to rake over her form again. “Trust me. I highly doubt you or this dilemma can scare me.”
Instead of being offended, she smiled slightly. “We shall see, Your Grace.”
“Oh, the rapture. I can hardly wait,” he answered sardonically. It was bad form on his part, but Meri’s antics always brought out the worst in him. “Now, I must beg your leave.”
As he headed down the hallway, she called from behind. “Your Grace? When can I expect my dowry to be returned?”
He turned around sharply. “As you’ve probably sur
mised, Meri seems to have either spent it or misplaced it. My money is that he gambled it away.”
Katherine let out a tremulous breath, but her eyes never blinked. A subtle tightness formed around her perfect lips. He’d always been susceptible to red lips—not the painted ones of courtesans and actresses, but real ones like hers. Today, such a weakness caused his chest to squeeze. “How much is it?” he asked in the most even voice he could muster.
“Two hundred pounds,” she said.
He didn’t blink. “Was there anything else?”
She shook her head gently.
“Are you serious?” he asked.
His half brother had married this woman for two hundred pounds? Meri’s habit was to spend three times that amount on his horses and racing every month. Christian should know. He’d been the one to pay his bills over the last three years.
She lifted her chin in an act of defiance. “Rest assured, I never joke about money.”
Her golden-green eyes suddenly dulled, losing their earlier luster.
Christian inwardly winced. After being in London for only a week, he’d insulted the first woman he’d had a real conversation with outside of his staff.
She straightened her shoulders as if ready to bear any verbal blow he’d bestow. “It may not be a great amount to you, but it means the world to me. It represents everything,” she said quietly. This time, she was the one to turn from him.
“Lady Meriwether?”
She stopped but didn’t face him.
“I beg you to accept my humble apology. Though it’s no excuse, I’ve not been in polite company for a while. My manners are rusty,” he said gently. “Truly, it’s not a joke to me either. I’m sincere when I say I’m finished with my half brother’s mischief in more ways than one. However, I’ll discuss your money with Mr. Hanes. That’s all I can promise.”
“It’s not enough.” Without any other acknowledgment, she walked straight toward Mr. Hanes’s office.
Bloody hell. Leave it to Meri to part this world with a monumental scandal in his wake. Christian had half a mind to dig up the hoodlum and give him a blistering lecture. Perhaps then he’d find out what Meri had been thinking, marrying three women and spending their dowries.
When Christian walked out the door, an attending footman opened the carriage door. Without breaking his stride, Christian entered the coach, then settled in the forward-facing seat. He stopped his hand midair before knocking on the roof.
Indeed, those women faced real ruin. For a moment, the urge to return and offer assistance grew fierce. He had a true talent for maneuvering people out of dangerous situations.
But not this time.
For his own sanity, he had to cut all ties to his brother.
Half brother.
Without second guessing his decision, Christian rapped twice with his knuckles, sending the carriage lurching into the London traffic. As the coach picked up speed, his gut tightened in revolt. He couldn’t leave those women, particularly Lady Meriwether like that.
She’d asked what was he afraid of? Failure perhaps?
He’d failed before with Meri and would probably do so again if he got involved with his half brother’s last escapade.
But he’d try, even if it meant he’d have to go through hell again.
By now, the carriage had traveled for several blocks. Christian knocked on the roof, then leaned out the window.
The driver expertly controlled the reins as he peered over his shoulder. “Your Grace?”
“Let’s return to Hanes’s office.”
* * *
What a pretentious lout.
Katherine refused to give him another glance after their introduction had finished. To think she’d even entertained putting that man in the same category as a beloved family member.
She’d prefer to claim a rat as kin rather than the Duke of Randford. Rat and Randford fit perfectly together. The Duke of Ratface. The Rat of Randford.
As Katherine approached Mr. Hanes’s office, debating whom she was insulting worse—the rat or Randford—Willa waited outside the door with a scowl on her face.
“Shall we depart? I’d like to stop by the workshop before we return home.” Katherine pulled her gloves tight and extended her hand to take the cloak draped over Willa’s arms.
“Kat.” Willa shook her head vigorously. “Those poor women.”
“The two still here?” Katherine dropped her hand.
Willa nodded, then turned her head from side to side to see if anyone else could hear the conversation. “They have no place to go. We can’t leave them here.”
“I’m well aware you have a tender heart for those who are vulnerable—”
“As do you,” Willa interrupted. “Remember all those kittens you brought home?”
“Those women are not strays,” Kat pointed out.
Willa leaned close. “You’re right. But they can’t fight this on their own. Neither expected this news today. Same as you. They both told me that by coming here, they thought they’d be welcomed into the duke’s home. Seeing how the duke acted today? They’d have better luck staying at Carlton House.”
Katherine sighed.
“Kat, they’re alone,” Willa implored.
“Those women married my husband. You truly can’t expect me to offer them lodging in my home?” she asked while peeking around the door into the solicitor’s office to glance at the other two wives. What had Meriwether seen in them that made him forgot his vows to her? What did they have that she didn’t?
Both women had their heads together. One was holding the other’s hand in an attempt to give comfort. They were trying to help each other through this crisis.
Her momentary jealousy melted at the sight. She should be bristling with resentment, but instead, her heart pounded a beat in sympathy. But for the grace of the heavens above, she could be either of those two. The husband they shared had turned all their lives upside down. It was his fault. As much as she hated to admit it, the duke was correct. The fault lay with the “trigamist” she and the other two had in common, not one another.
“Do they understand what has happened?” Katherine pulled her cloak around her shoulders.
Willa nodded once decisively. “By the time I entered the room, they were peppering questions at the young clerks who had explained the situation.”
She shook her head. “It’s madness to try and help. I can’t do it.”
“Kat,” Willa soothed as she placed her hand on Katherine’s arm. “The one with child has an aunt she’s responsible for. Her name is Mrs. Venetia Hopkins. I met her in the entry while we were waiting.” Willa edged Katherine toward the door. “The dark-haired woman who is dressed impeccably has nowhere to go either. She’s by herself and seems ready to bolt for the door. We must help them.”
“Why?” Katherine answered, acting uninterested in Willa’s answer.
“Because they’re no different from the others you take under your wing, except they married your husband.”
Katherine searched her resolute eyes. Willa had her pegged correctly. Katherine’s boutique, a business she’d been building over the years, offered luxury bedding and pillows to the elite of society. After her mother had died, she’d started the business as a way to keep a roof over their heads. Neither she nor Willa had accrued any savings, so they had to fend for themselves. Slowly, Kat’s business had blossomed into a successful endeavor that currently employed ten unmarried women who were on their own. It was Kat’s way of paying her good fortune forward by hiring single women. Within the next six months, if things continued in the same fashion, Katherine would employ twice that number.
The women sitting in Mr. Hanes’s office were the same—on their own without husbands.
“All right,” she said reluctantly. “I can give them lodging for a day or two.” With Willa beaming in her direction, Katherine entered the office.
The two women glanced up when she and Willa crossed the threshold. “Hello, I’m Katherine, Lad
y Meriwether Vareck.”
The pregnant woman nodded then gracefully stood. “I … suppose it’s correct to say I’m Miss Constance Lysander. Please call me Constance.” She turned to the third woman in the room. “This is Miss Blythe Howell.”
Katherine stole a glance at Willa, who shrugged.
Miss Howell, the sister of a viscount, had ordered a fortune of bedding from Katherine months ago. After sending it to Miss Howell in Cumberland, Katherine’s invoice had never been paid.
Miss Howell nodded. Keeping her gaze glued to the floor, she stood briefly, then returned to her seat.
“Lady Meriwether, Miss Howell and I were discussing what we’re going to do about our … shared situation.” A gentle smile fell across Constance’s face, indicating the woman was no threat to Katherine.
Miss Howell eventually lifted her gaze to Katherine’s. “One of the clerks mentioned you own Greer’s Emporium.”
“I do,” Kat answered.
“Then you and I are acquainted,” Miss Howell said.
“We are. Though we’ve never met in person, I recognize your name.” Katherine sat in a chair facing the other two women, and Willa followed suit. “It seems our husband was rather busy this past year.”
“I could kill the bounder,” Constance muttered.
Miss Howell’s eyes grew round.
“What?” Constance challenged. “Look what he did to me. I’m due to deliver in weeks, and today I discovered my marriage is a fraud and the man I thought I married stole my dowry?”
“Perhaps it’s a misunderstanding,” Miss Howell said.
Constance glared at her.
“How could it be a misunderstanding?” Katherine asked quietly. “We were all called here for the reading of the man’s personal will.”
“You’re right.” Miss Howell sighed gently as she rubbed her forehead. “I don’t want to admit that Meri did this to me”—she glanced at Constance and Katherine—“or you. I gather from Mr. Hanes’s clerks that Meri had a different one assigned to each of us. It wasn’t until today that Mr. Hanes realized we were all three married to him.” Her gaze locked on Katherine. “I’m in your debt. I owe you money. Meri married me four months ago, then left several weeks after. He didn’t give me any allowance. I don’t have a farthing to my name, I’m afraid.” Her gaze dipped to her hands for a moment. “I’m trying to make sense of what has happened here.”
A Duke in Time--The Widow Rules Page 2