Page 30 of The Duke of Aces
“What intel?”
“We discovered that it is your intent to enter into a marriage of convenience with Lady Isadora Malbury.”
“That was my original intent…until…” Tom cringed as a high-pitched wail came from the crib.
“See husband!” Lady Ethel stood to pick up the baby and cradled it in her arms. “I was correct, Avondale wasn’t feigning the adoration I saw in his gaze when he danced with Lady Isadora. He may have set out believing a marriage of convenience is what he sought, but then he was struck by love.”
“Wife.”
“Husband.”
Tom observed a battle of wills between the couple. Tom took another bite of his toast and nearly choked on the bread when he realized he was the reason for the discord between the couple. What was wrong with him, instigating a fight between the loving couple? How selfish of him. He rose from the table and neither of his hosts paid him any mind. “Torrance. Lady Ethel. I shall bid you both a good day. I have much to attend to before I set sail.”
“Ha!” Torrance reached out and took the sleeping child from his wife. “I told you he would place duty before love.”
Lady Ethel’s jaw dropped for a moment and then she quickly snapped, “You just cost me a week’s worth of nappy changes and two months’ worth of pin money.”
Aghast, Tom replied, “Torrance change a nappy? That’s what the nanny is for.”
“Regardless, those were the terms of our wager.” Torrance smiled, opened the door, and marched out to the hall.
Tom bowed. “My apologies, Lady Ethel.”
“You best figure out a way to obtain the information we need without using the art of seduction, or you will never know what it would be like to wake up next to Lady Isadora every morn. She will not marry a philanderer like her papa.”
“I shall heed your advice, Lady Ethel, and when I return, I shall find a way to make it up to you.”
He grabbed his coat from the butler’s arms as he strode out to his waiting carriage. He was halfway home when he tapped on the roof and called out, “Malbury residence.”
He needed to notify Isadora of his departure in person and gain her promise not to accept another’s offer until he returned. Scandals could happen in a blink of an eye, and he’d be abroad for at least a full week if not two.
Chapter Fifteen
The rattle ofcarriage wheels out the front window of the Malbury residence had both Isadora and Minerva glancing at each other and then through the sheer curtains.
“Are you expecting a visitor?” Minerva asked.
Fantasizing about Tom wasn’t the same as expecting him. Isadora shook her head, both in denial and to clear her thoughts of Tom’s warm body. “No. You?”
Minerva narrowed her gaze. Her sister didn’t believe her. She wouldn’t have believed her since her cheeks were warm with guilt.
“The carriage is marked with the Avondale crest,” Minerva said, still staring out the window.
The man she’d been secretly hoping to see all morning was about to walk through the door, and her mind went blank.
Isadora’s breath caught as Mr. Morris announced, “His Grace, the Duke of Avondale, requests an audience with Lady Isadora. Are you in, m’lady?”
“Aye, please show His Grace in.” She caught the butler’s glance at Minerva, who nodded. All night, she considered Tom’s arguments to say yes. To be the mistress of her own home. Her say would be final without needing the support of her elder sister. She’d never really considered such things before and, after thinking about it, it grated on Isadora’s nerves that the staff still looked to Minerva for confirmation. It wasn’t the staff’s fault; they were doing their jobs.
Minerva remained by the window. “I shall remain to chaperone, however, pretend I’m not here.”
“That shall be rather hard to do.” Her response garnered her a scolding stare from her sister. Becoming mistress of her own home was becoming a rather strong argument in Tom’s favor.
Mr. Morris announced, “His Grace, the Duke of Avondale.”
Tom entered, and Isadora rose and dipped into a curtsey.
“Lady Minerva. Isadora.” He bowed and then continued to stand within an arm’s length of Isadora. “I suppose, Lady Minerva, there is little chance of having a private moment with your sister.”
