Page 96 of In Need of a Duke
“Yes, the Duke of Dandridge.”
The man heaved a sigh, rushing out a slow exhale before he returned Charlotte’s gaze. “Is there someone who could show my sister around while we go over business?”
It was clear from his tone that what he had to share was not for his sister to overhear.
Charlotte’s curiosity was piqued. “Yes, of course.”
She rang for Mrs. Pratt, who arrived a few minutes later and escorted the girl out.
Once the door clicked shut, Charlotte leaned forward over the desk, clasping her hands together, waiting for the man to continue.
“Your husband is the Duke of Dandridge. We share a father. Ellen and I are the illegitimate children fathered by the seventh Duke of Dandridge.”
Charlotte blinked hard, then laughed, nerves getting the best of her. “I’m sorry. Are you saying you are my husband’s brother? He has never mentioned anything of his father’s by-blows.”
“We have lived outside of London our entire lives, and though he was older, the duke lived out the end of his life with us and our mother who recently passed. I had promised my mother to remain out of London so there wouldn’t be a scandal, but I think it’s best and only fair that my sister receives a quality education.”
Charlotte didn’t know what to say. As furious as she was with her husband, she was also curious about the true story. Why hadn’t he never mentioned it? Did he even know the truth?
“That is surprising news to hear and quite a shock if I am to be honest.”
“You don’t believe me?” he shot back.
“No, no,” she said, “it’s not that I don’t believe you. It is honestly unexpected.”
The man narrowed his eyes on her, the same hawkish look her husband flashed from time to time. How incredibly odd and unsettling. She wasn’t sure what to do with herself.
“Certainly. We can enroll her in the fall term.”
“Very good.”
She pushed over a piece of paper and her quill so that he might write down the necessary information. Her hand shook the entire time.
Had Ian lied to her? Had he always known the truth about his father’s second family?
When he finished, Mr. Nicholls pushed back in his chair and stood. “Good day, ma’am. I mean, Your Grace.”
Somehow, she swallowed past the knot in her throat. “Have a good afternoon.” Then she sank back into her chair the moment the door closed behind him.
Charlotte was stuck once more, teetering on the edge of fury and something else, something more ambiguous. Maybe that creeping, all-consuming fear that she was about to be left again.
And that she truly didn’t know her husband—after the strides they had made, spending time together recently. She couldn’t pretend this hadn’t happened. She couldn’t leave it alone. She knew she must ask him, and she was afraid of his answer. And more afraid of getting her heart broken again.
Charlotte graspedher water glass in her hand and swallowed a sip, working up the courage to ask Ian.
“You haven’t touched your soup. Are you feeling well?”
“Oh, fine.”
He paused, the spoon halfway up to his mouth before he nodded, then had another spoonful of artichoke soup.
“I ran into Gabriel at my club earlier. He was there with Rafe and Mr. Hawkins. I’ve agreed to invest in the whiskey distillery if Rafe can offer profitable shipping routes.”
She shut her eyes. “I had an interesting visit as well,” she rushed out. She dropped her spoon, no longer interested in appearing as ifshe would eat dinner. She couldn’t possibly. She was certain her stomach had been a tangle of knots since this afternoon.
“Oh?”
“Yes, your half brother visited the school to enroll his sister. I’m assuming, also your half sister.”
