Page 79 of How to Ruin a Duke
“If you choose the military,” Thaddeus went on, “you will have a commission as a lieutenant in the infantry, and you will take ship for India or Canada, I care not which.You are unwelcome in this house until you prove you deserve the honor of association with your own family.”
Jeremiah set down his drink and scrubbed a hand through this hair.“A lieutenancy?I should be at least a major.”
“Keep talking, and you will be a vagrant.What’s it to be?The dubious charity of your drinking companions or that life of adventure you always claimed you wanted, no protections, no social consequence, nothing between you and misfortune but blind luck and the kindness of strangers.Surely that will make an exciting tale—assuming you survive the living of it.”
Jeremiah had gone even paler than he’d been upon climbing from the bed.“Mama won’t like this, Emory.You don’t want her misery on your conscience.Allow me to spare you that fate.I’ll spend the rest of the year at the family seat, no bother to anybody.I can even pen a retraction of the more creative incidents conveyed inHow to Ruin a Duke.Every peer will commiserate with you, and all will come right.I’ll get to work on it straightaway, and you can print my letter of apology in theTimes.”
Jeremiah’s smile was the terrified parody offered by a boy who realizes his fate has been sealed.
“Either leave this house within the hour or prepare to take up your commission.”Thaddeus had pondered how to set up the choice so itwasa choice, but not a decision even Jeremiah could bungle.He let a silence build, though Jeremiah looked near to tears.
“The infantry has some lovely uniforms.”Jeremiah’s hand shook as he picked up his drink.“Three days, you say?Don’t suppose a week—?”
“Seventy-two hours, if I have to drag you to Horse Guards myself.You will also write a letter of apology to each of the ladies whom you insulted, starting with Lady Edith.”
Jeremiah stared into his drink and nodded.“Not well done of me, I do see that.”
Perhaps the remorse was real, perhaps it was for show.Thaddeus didn’t particularly care.His next priority was to find Lady Edith Charbonneau and pray she was in a forgiving mood.He was thwarted from pursuing that goal by the footman who informed him a guest was waiting in the blue parlor.The caller sought a brief audience with His Grace if the duke was at home.
The footman held up a silver tray bearing a single card: J.Ventnor, Publisher.
Bloody hell.“I’ll see him, but no damned tea tray, if you please.He won’t be staying long.”
Edith donned her new bonnet,took up her blue parasol, left the top button of her new cloak unfastened, and gathered her reticule.
“And His Grace had better be home to me,” she muttered.The walk to Emory’s doorstep took a quarter hour, and if anybody in his fine neighborhood thought a lady traveling alone on foot was unusual, Edithdid not care.A woman who could write a first draft of a book—a good book, though not overly long—in less than two weeks need not quibble over niceties.
She rapped the knocker against the door twice and it opened almost immediately.
“Lady Edith!Do come in, my lady.”The butler stepped back, his characteristic reserve replaced with a smile.“What a pleasure to see you, ma’am, and on such a fine day.Shall I take your bonnet and cloak and see if Her Grace is at home?”
Edith passed over her hat.“I’m actually here to see His Grace, and my call is not entirely social.”
White brows drew up.“Between us, my lady, His Grace’s mood of late hasn’t been entirely social either.Perhaps you’d like to wait in the blue parlor?That was always your favorite as I recall.”
The blue parlor was the everyday guest parlor, not as formal as the gilded wonder where Her Grace received company during her at homes, not as comfy as the family parlor.
“The blue parlor will do.I can see myself down the corridor.”
The butler hesitated.“Might I tell the staff you’re keeping well?We’ve missed you and wondered how you’re faring.”
“I’ve missed you too.Please thank everybody for their concern.I have a new post, and my brother has become playwright-in-residence at the Maloney.”
“Oh, that is excellent news, ma’am.Excellent news.”He bustled off, doubtless to spread that excellent news belowstairs.
Edithhadmissed the staff here, but she would eventually make new friends in Manchester.She let herself into the blue parlor expecting to have a few moments of solitude to compose her thoughts.
“Your Grace, Mr.Ventnor.Excuse me.I did not know the room was occupied.”Both men were on their feet, suggesting the discussion had been something less than cordial.
Ventnor aimed a puzzled smile at the duke.“I thought you said her ladyship’s whereabouts were unknown, Your Grace?”
Emory looked tired and a bit grim, but otherwise hale.“Had I known Lady Edith would do me the very great honor of calling upon me, I would have sent you packing ten minutes ago, Ventnor.My lady, do come in.Please come in, rather.Mr.Ventnor was just leaving.”
Ventnor passed Edith a card.“I read your samples.You have quite a gift, my lady.Domestic advice doesn’t do justice to your voice, and I would very much like an opportunity to discuss other projects with you.”
“On your way, Ventnor,” Emory said, jabbing a finger in the direction of the door.“Now.”
Ventnor offered Edith an unhurried bow, came up smiling, nodded to the duke, and left.
