Page 88 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
All these years he had set out to prove Uncle Thomas wrong, to make his uncle proud, to restore the honour to his family name, and what had he done?
He’d let his lust for the so-called black widow divert him from his path. Was that part of her attraction? The idea that she was dangerous.
And if word of their dalliance became known, there would be nothing for it but marriage.
Damn it all, why did that make him feel…hopeful? Was he really so besotted he hoped for an excuse to ask her to wed?
He must have lost his mind.
Not entirely, he hadn’t. After all, she was from a good family, she was beautiful and if she wanted to save her reputation by becoming a duchess, she would need toe the line of propriety from thenceforth.
As her husband, he would make sure of it.
He was not like his father.
It was strange that Barbara had not mentioned her father’s arrival in London. Although, as he thought about it, about her reaction, it seemed she had been surprised to see him.
While the play on stage elicited gasps and laughter from the audience, Xavier was too busy with his own thoughts to pay much attention until the curtain fell for the next intermission.
As he rose to see to the comfort of his guests, he saw Barbara already on her feet and standing with her Aunt at the back of the box. He manoeuvred his way to her side.
‘Thank you for a wonderful evening, Duke,’ she said with a bright smile that he found rather brittle.
‘Leaving already? The play is but half over.’
Miss Lowell looked disgruntled and twitched at her shawl. ‘Our apologies, Duke. My niece has a headache. The smoke from the lamps perhaps.’
Or the sight of her father in the Royal Box? Why would that be?
‘I am sorry to hear you are not well.’ He gestured to one of the footmen who had entered to offer refreshments. ‘Please arrange for Miss Lowell’s carriage to be brought around.’
The man hurried off to do his bidding.
‘Allow me to escort you down to the street.’
‘We mustn’t take you away from your other guests,’Barbara said.
‘Most kind,’ her aunt said at the same moment.
‘I insist,’ Xavier said. ‘Covent Garden at this time of night is no place for ladies to be waiting alone.’ He caught Julian’s eye. ‘I will be back momentarily,’ he said to his friend.
Never one to be slow on the uptake, Julian nodded.
He would look after Xavier’s guests until he returned.
Xavier glanced over at the Royal Box. Several people had arrived over there, and one of them was the Count of Upsal and Lipsweiger. Strangely, he and Barbara’s father were in the back corner of the box and engaged in an intense discussion.
He ushered Barbara and Miss Lowell out of the box and down the stairs to the foyer.
‘What a pleasant evening, Duke,’ Miss Lowell said, opening and closing her fan with a snap. ‘A very fine performance. I shall be sorry to miss the end, but…’
‘You may stay if you wish, Aunt,’ Barbara said, her voice chilly.
‘No, no. If you are not well, I must make sure you are looked after. Your father would expect it.’
‘Father has a great many expectations.’ This time her voice was like ice.
The footman he had sent in search of their carriage strode into the lobby. He touched his hat.
