Page 34 of Good Duke Gone Rogue

It wasn’t too long of a journey. Short enough to make it in one day since the roads and weather were good, but just long enough that now night had fallen upon their arrival. They had only been waiting in the drawing room a few short minutes when Kat and Quinn walked in.

“Lady Bernadette,” Kat extended her palms out to her old friend. “I’m delighted to have you as one of our first visitors.”

“Your Graces,” Bernadette dipped a curtsy.

“Please,” Kat smiled. “We are too dear of friends for such formalities. I’m still plain, old Kat.”

Though Bernadette had never perceived Kat as either plain or old, she appreciated Kat’s humility in her new status.

“Kat, of course. And I’m still Bernadette.”

“And this is Quinn,” Bernadette watched as right before her eyes Kat’s face went all treacly. Her eyes widened and her whole face glowed. “My husband.” Was that a sigh as well? Well, it was clear what kind of man had landed Kat, the type to earn her full heart.

It was almost intimate the way Kat introduced her husband. Not His Grace, the Duke of Greyshire. Just Quinn.

Bernadette gestured toward her yawning son, thankful that he had the good grace to cover his mouth, but fully aware that the boy was nearly sleeping on his feet. “And this is my son, Jacob.”

Jacob attempted a bow, but it looked more as though he simply folded in half and struggled to regain his balance.

“We’re honored to be among your first house guests,” Bernadette said to distract from Jacob’s clumsiness.

“Yes, it’s true. We haven’t had many people here yet. Mostly just a few letters. My sister, of course. Mother. Lady Mary. Lady Margaret.” Kat was counting on her fingers. “Lady Bella, and even Lady Agatha.” The last name earned a small chuckle. “Lady Agatha’s missive was the cheeriest. I had a good few laughs at that one.”

Bernadette had met Lady Agatha on a few occasions, and could hamper a guess as to what would make those missives so humorous. More than once, Bernadette had found herself laughing aloud, as well as covering a chuckle, in the presence of Lady Agatha.

“Of course, I had to share my good news with all of them,” Kat grinned.

“Hadn’t they already heard about your nuptials by the time they wrote to you?” Reggie inquired.

“Not my wedding, you ninny. My business.”

An intentional cough from Quinn broke into her enthusiasm.

“Ourbusiness. Sorry. Yes, I had to tell them about our business. We’ve started a sleuthing agency.” She was practically gushing with excitement. Could it be that she was more excited about her business than her marriage? Doubtful. But perhaps a close call.

“Darling, I doubt our guests want to hear of our business venture just now.” Quinn tilted his head toward the ormolu clock atop the mantle. “It’s quite late.”

“You are right, dear.” It was placating but also a stall tactic, because she turned to Bernadette anyway and said, “But do keep it in mind should you need any sleuthing services. Prospective husbands included.” Bernadette was pretty sure Kat had winkedat her. But it was late, and she didn’t quite have the presence of mind to put the pieces together.

She noticed Jacob stifle another yawn and looked away quickly to avoid catching it herself.

“I’m sure it’ll be off to bed with you very soon young man.” Kat motioned for one of the footmen. “Can you show Bernadette and Jacob to their rooms, please?” Once he nodded, she turned back to Bernadette. “Come back down for a repast when you’re ready, or we can always send something up for you.”

“Thank you, Kat. I shall take you up on the offer for a tray to be delivered to my room.” With a few murmuredgood nights, Bernadette and Jacob left the three in the drawing room.

Bernadette was a little too enthusiastic to have some space from Reggie. Not to mention her eagerness to have a good sleep. If anything, she had been hoping for time. Time to sort out her future and what kind of man she should invite into her life. But time was not being granted to her. Reggie had just fallen into her lap, quite the opposite actually. And since that fallen night in the library, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. She needed to be away to clear her head. To think straight. To not think about him and just think about what was best for her. She was to have no such reprieve.

After cleaning up and having a small snack together, Jacob announced, “I like Reggie.”

Bernadette felt a little tremor crawl up her arm, not knowing where the conversation was going. Jacob was ten, astute enough to notice how people interacted. She only hoped he hadn’t detected anything between his mother and her friend. “Is that so? Why do you like him?”

“He’s very good at making fire.”

“That is one reason to like someone.” And a fairly safe reason, at that. Relieved that this was the reason for Jacob’s affinity, she closed her eyes and sighed.

“And he makes you smile.”

That was another reason to like someone, though not nearly as safe.

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