Page 27 of The Duke of Lies
Did she? Sometimes she was certain he had to be someone else. And other times, she convinced herself that he was Rufus. How could he not be? “No.” She didn’t sound convinced because she wasn’t. Yet, she couldn’t quite bring herself to voice her fear. Because if he wasn’t Rufus…
Simon looked slightly alarmed. “Is that a bad thing?”
“On the contrary, it’s a very good thing. He’s much improved.”
Diana smiled at her. “I’m so glad.”
“I suppose we should meet him,” Simon said. “That is why we’ve come all this way.”
Diana elbowed him gently and gave him a look of loving exasperation. “And to see Verity and Beau. And to share our news in person.” She turned her glowing expression to Verity, confirming her suspicions. “Simon and I are expecting a child in the fall. I do hope you’ll be his godmother.”
“Hergodmother,” Simon corrected.
Diana rolled her eyes with a chuckle. “I’ve already told you it’s a boy.”
“How can you possibly know?” Simon looked at Verity. “Did you?”
Verity thought back. She’d been so terrified that Rufus might return and that he’d be as horrid to their child as he was to her. She just prayed her child would be safe from harm and hadn’t given a thought to its sex.
That wasn’t entirely true. When she’d first realized she was expecting, she’d hoped for a boy because it would make Rufus happy. He’d made it clear he expected her to become pregnant as soon as possible and that her primary role in their marriage was to provide an heir and at least one spare.
“I didn’t know,” Verity said softly. “But that doesn’t mean Diana doesn’t.” And she truly believed that. Diana’s situation was vastly different from Verity’s. Just watching them together, their love was palpable. Simon’s hand hadn’t left Diana’s back, and they stood close enough that her shoulder touched his chest.
“Well, we shall see,” Simon said, sounding quite skeptical. “Now let’s go meet this husband of yours.”
Verity tensed. She’d told Diana about Rufus, but only in general terms. No one knew the specifics of her marriage, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever reveal them. Especially not now when he was so…likeable. Anyone who hadn’t known him before would never believe he was capable of such cruelty.
They walked to the goat pen, Verity a bit ahead as Diana and Simon followed arm in arm. Verity had told Rufus that her cousin and cousin-in-law would be visiting soon.
Rufus met them at the gate and opened it. “Welcome, Duke, Duchess.” He inclined his head to both of them.
Simon offered his hand. “Call me Romsey, if you please.”
“Very well. I hope you’ll call me Blackburn.”
“Blackburn… Such a dastardly name. Sounds like a pirate.”
Rufus laughed. And laughed. And then laughed some more. He wiped a hand beneath his eye as he sought to gain control. “I beg your pardon. I’m not entirely certain why, but that’s incredibly amusing. Don’t you think?”
Verity stifled a smile. Because he’d been on a privateering vessel, no doubt.
Beau skipped toward them. “Think what, Papa?” Before waiting for an answer, he hugged Diana. “I’m so pleased you’re here, Auntie Diana. Do you want to see my goats?”
“I most certainly do,” she said with a smile. “You remember Uncle Simon?”
“Yes, but he wasn’t my uncle then.” He wasn’t really his uncle now, nor was Diana his aunt, but those seemed the best titles for him to use, particularly since Diana felt like a sister to Verity. Beau bowed formally to Simon and said, “How do you do,” in a tone deeper than his usual voice.
Verity couldn’t withhold a giggle at her son’s performance. It was quite good, and, if the sparkle in his green eyes was any indication, he knew it.
“Well done, Beau,” Rufus said with a wink. It seemed he’d been coaching their son. While it didn’t surprise her given the interest he’d taken in Beau, it was heartwarming nonetheless.
“Thank you, Papa,” Beau said with pride. “Now you all need to come meet my goats. I wanted to call the baby Sailor because Papa was a sailor, but since Whist gave meanotherbaby goat, I think I should maybe name the first one after him instead.”
“Why not call the goat Whist gave you after him?” Simon asked.
“She’s a girl!” Beau said with a giggle. “Besides she already has a name—Agnes.”
“I see,” Simon said thoughtfully. “You’d like us to help you decide between Sailor and, Whist is it?”
