‘Come,’ he said, offering her his arm. ‘I will escort you home.’
‘You will do no such thing,’ she replied with asperity, ignoring the proffered arm for a second time. ‘I am more than capable of making my own way. Besides, if we are seen together then the gossips will have it that I am no better than my sister. Good day to you, your grace. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow evening.’
Ross raised his hat to her. ‘You are an insufferably independent female, Miss Kennard,’ he muttered, winking at her and making her blush.
Her maid scurried to join her. Miss Kennard sent him a mildly condemning look over her shoulder, muttered something uncomplimentary beneath her breath, then walked swiftly away without looking back again.
‘Well, well,’ Tanner said, scratching his head as he watched them go. ‘I can quite see why you find that one so interesting. A right challenging little jade she’ll prove herself to be, and no mistake.’
Chapter Five
‘I can’t believe you got through to him.’ Maria Kennard looked at her sister with a combination of respect and suspicion. ‘I wasn’t sure you would even attempt it. There is hope for you yet. What is he like? Did he ask about me? Did you tell him where I am? Does he want to see me?’
Sophia perched on the edge of an uncomfortable chaise longue in the cramped Hammersmith cottage her sister had rented for the duration of her confinement. Looking at the elegant Maria now, Sophia saw a bloated body, a pasty face and a sour expression. She had tried to convince Maria to retire to Hampshire, where she could have birthed her child in seclusion, but Maria had resisted the suggestion, convinced that the servants in Hampshire couldn’t be trusted to be discreet.
It was clear that she regretted her decision now. Maria was averse to seclusion and was more at home when surrounded by admirers in crowded ballrooms. There was little to admire about her in her present condition, but Sophia hadn’t failed to notice that all the questions she had asked about the new duke centred upon herself. She suppressed a sigh, thinking that some things never changed. She had always been aware that Maria was vain and self-centred but hadn’t realised until now just how deep her narcissism ran.
‘How are you?’ Sophia asked.
‘Bored and uncomfortable.’ Maria’s expression turned petulant. ‘I hate this place.’
‘I did warn you.’
‘And of course you were right, just as you always are.’ Maria stuck out her lower lip, spoiling for a fight, but on this occasion Sophia was in no mood to oblige her. Her sympathy for a situation that Maria had brought upon herself, notwithstanding the damage she had caused to the reputation of others, was not limitless. ‘Doesn’t it become tiresome, always knowing best? That walking gown is very smart,’ Maria added when Sophia failed to respond to her taunts. ‘I thought there was no money to spare for new clothing, but clearly some was found so that you could impress the new duke.’
‘I cannot be accused of wasting our resources, since you have left me with few to waste,’ Sophia replied, thinking of the expense of the rented cottage, Maria’s general extravagance and the additional cost of bribing her servants to keep what they knew about her condition to themselves.
‘Sorry.’ Maria made the apology half-heartedly. ‘Tell me about the duke.’
‘He is very handsome,’ Sophia said, choosing to accept the olive branch, such as it was. ‘But he is also taciturn, doesn’t seem impressed by society’s elite and even the most determined of chaperones was put off by his scowl.’
‘Ha! Scowling will do him no good. Unless he turns into a recluse, he will be besieged everywhere he goes.’
‘That is what I told him, but he doesn’t seem especially concerned by the prospect.’
‘He probably thinks that you have designs upon him. I can see that he impressed you since you are hopeless at hiding your feelings.’
‘Whereas you have perfected the art,’ Sophia replied with a significant glance at Maria’s expanding waistline.
‘Andrew would have kept his promises, had he been able to.’
‘What promises?’ Sophia fixed her sister with a challenging look as she broached a subject that Maria consistently avoided discussing, making do with vague inuendo and vaguer still suggestions. ‘Whatever could he have offered you that was worth sacrificing your virginity for? I am still convinced that it was he and not Purvis who took it.’
‘Don’t be impertinent!’
‘Dukes do not invite scandal by divorcing their duchesses, you know,’ Sophia added, ignoring the reprimand. ‘Not even if those duchesses fail to provide them with heirs.’
Maria tossed her head, clearly disliking having her stupidity pointed out to her. ‘Which just goes to show how unworldly you actually are.’
‘Well anyway, regarding the new duke, he’s more interested in finding out what happened to his brother than in finding a wife, so if you know anything, I suggest you tell me.’ She paused but Maria turned her head and refused to meet her eye. ‘I should warn you that their characters are not at all alike and you will not be able to manipulate the new duke in the same way you did his brother.’
‘If he wants to learn more about Andrew, he will need to speak to me himself.’ She looked both pleased and mildly alarmed at the prospect. ‘But I cannot possibly…’
She glanced down at her swollen belly. Maria had always possessed a sweet tooth, and was inclined to gain weight easily. Since discovering her condition she had given up all efforts at restraint and looked far larger than a woman close to the end of her term should. Other than indulging her love of sweet things, as far as Sophia could detect, she didn’t move a muscle all day, depending upon the two girls who waited upon her for absolutely everything. Why two servants were necessary Sophia could not have said, but she knew better than to confront her argumentative sister on the matter. She appeared to be set to continue doing exactly as she pleased.
‘I told him what we had already agreed about your situation, but he guessed the truth.’
Maria gasped. ‘No! How could he possibly have? You must have let something slip out of spite.’ Maria stuck out her lower lip in a petulant sulk. ‘Honestly, Sophia, everything always has to be about you.’
Sophia sighed, gathered up her possessions and stood up.
‘Where are you going?’
‘I am tired of your insults, Maria. If you cannot keep a civil tongue in your head then I have no interest in either seeing or helping you.’
‘Sorry.’ Maria squeezed out a tear, which had no effect upon Sophia,
the apology, no matter how half-hearted, did at least persuade her to resume her seat. Maria so seldom apologised for anything and Sophia felt the need to record the date in her diary. ‘I am querulous. You know how I can be when I’m bored.’ She leaned forward and wrapped her arms across her swollen belly. ‘Now, tell me everything that the duke said to you. I am frankly astonished that he asked to meet you in the Park and even more surprised that you agreed.’ Maria let out a mischievous giggle and showed a brief glimpse of the extraordinary beauty that had guaranteed her the acclaim she’d craved since turning fifteen and first being seen and admired in society.
‘He knew of your friendship with Andrew,’ Sophia replied. ‘Well, how could he not? It was the talk of London. The rumours had died down, but have been resurrected with the arrival of the imposing new duke.’
‘You like him.’ Maria made it sound like an accusation.
‘Yes, I suppose I am impressed by his determination. He has little inclination to assume his brother’s position, you know.’
Maria laughed as she waved Sophia’s comment aside. ‘Of course he does! How could he not? He’s taken you in, Sophia. You are far too gullible.’
‘Why should he have any desire to gull me?’
Maria rolled her eyes. ‘La! You are such an innocent.’
Sophia glanced pointedly at Maria’s swollen abdomen and said nothing.
‘Yes, well.’ Maria turned her head and fixed her
gaze on the window, across which the drapes remained partly drawn, making the small room seem even gloomier and emphasising its musty aroma.
‘The duke plans to quiz Blake and Swinton about his brother’s affairs. He seems to think Andrew might have got himself involved in a situation that ran out of control, and that they might have some answers.’
‘If they have, they are unlikely to condemn themselves with their own words.’
‘Probably not, but I promised to introduce the duke to them at Lady Carpenter’s soiree tomorrow evening.’
‘How very obliging of you.’
‘There is no call for sarcasm, Maria. It’s in your own best interests to have the situation resolved. The duke is adamant that he will find out what happened, and until he does your involvement with his brother will continue to arouse his suspicions. We are trying to restore your reputation, not destroy it.’ She sent Maria a condemning look. ‘I was evasive with the duke for your sake.’
‘There was no need. I have convinced Purvis that the child is his.’
‘You told me it definitely was,’ Sophia replied, wondering why she was so surprised by Maria’s admission.
‘I knew you would disapprove, simply because you are unaware of the agreement I reached with Andrew.’
‘What agreement?’
Maria flapped a hand. ‘It doesn’t signify anymore, not now that he’s dead.’
‘When did you convince Purvis about the paternity? He comes here to see you?’ Sophia raised a brow, truly surprised. ‘I thought we agreed that you would remain in seclusion.’
‘Oh, Purvis is discreet.’ Maria patted curls that were overdue a wash. ‘He adores me.’
‘And he actually believes that the child is his? He isn’t terribly bright, but even he must have heard the rumours about you and Andrew. Indeed, he joined in your exploits a lot of the time. Clearly not all of them though,’ she added as an afterthought.
‘The baby could be his,’ Maria cried defensively.
‘How did he know where to find you?’
Maria’s expression turned evasive. ‘I might have had Beth slip a note to him.’
‘Maria!’
‘I was bored out of my mind, and I needed to see him!’ she cried defensively. ‘We understand one another, and he will acknowledge the child as his once we are wed.’
‘He will have to convince his mother first. You know very well that she controls the purse strings and does not approve of your conduct.’
‘Oh, she will come round when she sees how beautifully I can behave—even more so when I present her with a grandchild. She can hardly disinherit her only son.’
‘God help us all!’
Sophia was acquainted with the formidable lady and didn’t share her sister’s optimism, suspecting that Maria had met her match in the dowager viscountess. Maria wanted Purvis because he was rich, well-connected and not very clever. She could run rings around him, as attested by the fact that be didn’t seem to have questioned her child’s paternity. Maria would lead him a merry dance once she had his ring securely on her finger, and would likely cut a swathe through the ranks of society’s rakes once her position was established.
Sophia loved her sister but didn’t always like her very much, and certainly didn’t approve of her manipulative character and loose morals.
‘Right, so let me get this straight. Purvis knows where you are living and is a regular visitor. He thinks the child is his and intends to stand up to his mother.’
Maria giggled. ‘Goodness, no! He doesn’t have the courage. We intend to marry in secret after my confinement and then present her with a fait accompli.’ When Sophia’s mouth fell open, Maria merely shrugged as she reached for a sweetmeat from the dish on the table beside her and popped it into her mouth. ‘She will have to accept the inevitable then, especially if the child is a boy.’
‘You should be aware that the duke plans to speak with Purvis and I doubt whether he will be able to withstand that interrogation without giving something away.’
Maria sat a little straighter. ‘Then bring him here. I will tell him everything he needs to know about Andrew’s affairs.’
‘What do you know about the reason for his murder? Tell me.’
‘You don’t want me to meet your precious duke.’ Maria’s expression turned petulant again, as it so frequently could when she didn’t get her way.
‘And give him the power to destroy you if he thinks you are holding something back?’
‘Why would I—’
‘Because you cannot bear to think of anyone looking upon you in a poor light.’
Maria tossed her head. ‘Now you are being deliberately unkind.’
Sophia knew it would be pointless to pursue a conversation that Maria was determined to turn in her favour, regardless of the facts. She left shortly after that, promising to call again after Lady Carpenter’s soiree and to think about bringing the duke to see her. She had no intention of doing anything of the sort, but it would be best, she knew, to leave Maria thinking she held the upper hand.
‘Give me advance warning if he is to come,’ were Maria’s parting words. ‘I cannot have him seeing me looking like this.’
Ross returned home following his sojourn in the park with Miss Kennard and set his mind to concentrating upon the myriad duties that awaited his attention. A whole raft of men called at his lodgings, keen to cultivate his good opinion. Men who had dealt with his brother and were clearly unsure what to expect from Ross.
‘Do they think I was born yesterday?’ he asked Tanner, throwing up his hands in exasperation when the last of them left with his tail between his legs. ‘Attempting to convince me that Andrew had agreed to invest in the opium trade, indeed.’
‘He very likely supported it,’ Tanner replied with a jaundiced look. ‘It’s a popular form of recreation amongst the idle rich, you know.’
‘Andrew was certainly idle, but he was in no position to make investments.’
‘Lending his name to a particular enterprise would be sufficient.’
‘Good God!’
‘The Devil probably had more to do with it.’ Tanner hitched his backside onto the side of Ross’s desk. ‘Anyway, what did you make of our excursion to the park? Do you think you can trust Miss Kennard?’
‘What do you mean?’ Ross asked sharply, resisting the urge to defend the lady for no other reason than that she had made a marked impression upon him, stimulated his interest and stirred his protective instincts.
‘I know you’re taken with the chit. You’d have to be blind and a hundred years old not to appreciate her looks and her lively character. Even so, guv’nor, I would urge caution. Her first instinct will be to protect her sister and the rest of her family from scandal. If Maria was somehow involved in Andrew’s murder, albeit indirectly, well…’
Ross nodded, reluctantly conceding the point. ‘I think she was almost completely honest with me, but there was something.’ Ross tapped his fingers restlessly on the surface of his desk as he tried to recall what she had said to arouse his suspicions. He wasn’t about to admit to Tanner that he had been diverted by her expressive eyes, sharp wit and complete disinclination to try and impress him. Even in America, where his title meant little before he inherited the dukedom, every female whose path he crossed had attempted to secure his attention. He’d become accustomed to it, he supposed, and Miss Kennard’s lack of interest in him had awoken his competitive instincts, amongst other things. ‘She was holding something back. What did you get out of the maid?’
‘Lots of giggles,’ Tanner replied, grinning.
Ross rolled his yes. ‘Very helpful.’
‘Yes well, much as it grieves me to admit defeat, if Miss Kennard is hiding anything then I failed to extract the particulars from her maid. She’s as loyal to her mistress as I am to you and I couldn’t catch her out. She was at pains to point out that Miss Kennard and her sister possess very different characters.’
‘In what respect?’
&
nbsp; ‘Well, they’re both fabulous creatures, but according to Phyllis the younger woman doesn’t seem to think there’s anything special about her, whereas Maria flaunts her beauty, enjoys being admired and is an outrageous flirt.’
‘How can Sophia not know how lovely she is?’ Ross asked. ‘She only has to look in the mirror.’
‘I asked Phyllis the same question. Seems Maria has always criticised her sister’s appearance and made her doubt herself. Jealousy on Maria’s part is my impression.’
‘Sophia Kennard is intelligent, irreverent even. I wonder at her lack of self-esteem.’
‘If you’re told something often enough, you finish up believing it. Phyllis is always telling her mistress that she’s her sister’s equal but she says her words fall on deaf ears.’
Ross was pleased that Miss Kennard had someone upon whom she could depend absolutely and who had her best interests at heart. ‘Well then,’ he said. ‘We shall just have to see what tomorrow night brings. Send my acceptance to Lady Carpenter’s invitation—and for God’s sake decline all the others.’
‘Will do.’ Tanner stood up and stretched. ‘So, what now?’
Ross glanced at the clock. The day had got away from him and it was already late afternoon.
‘Now,’ he said, standing, ‘I am going to reacquaint myself with the questionable delights of White’s.’
‘Why?’ Tanner looked bemused. ‘You hate that sort of thing.’
‘Indeed, but men are just as capable of gossiping as their female counterparts and gentlemen’s clubs are hotbeds for said gossip, so Mark informs me.’
‘You want to be seen, I take it, in the hope that some of Andrew’s less savoury connections will turn their attention to you, assuming you’re cut from the same cloth.’
‘The possibility crossed my mind.’
Tanner chuckled. ‘I’m marking similarities between you and Andrew and Miss Kennard and her sister.’
Ross ignored his man’s implications, and a short time later presented himself to the porter at White’s. He was recognised before he had an opportunity to introduce himself and greeted with deference. He surrendered his outdoor garments to the porter’s assistant, shaking rainwater from the brim of his hat, and took the stairs to the coffee room two at a time. It was crowded at this hour of the day, but his appearance ensured a momentary hiatus in the various conversations.
A Duke in Turmoil: Dangerous Dukes Vol 9 Page 6