Page 51 of Tempting Harriet
“Sophie!” the duchess said, shocked, while the duke chuckled.
He opened his letters—mostly invitations and notes of congratulation—after exchanging greetings with the twoladies. There was nothing of great importance, he thought,scanning them quickly. Until he came to the bottom of thepile and found a whole letter to be read. He glanced downat the signature. “Phyllis.” He raised his eyebrows and read.
His grandmother was explaining something loudly to his aunt when he raised his head. She turned and looked inquiringly at him.
“You look as if you had seen a ghost, Archibald,” his aunt said.
“Lady Phyllis wrote this last evening,” he said “She was going to leave a similar note for her father to read thismorning. She was eloping with Lockhart last night. Poorgirl. Her reputation may never recover from the scandal.”
His grandmother stared at him, her expression wooden.
“Well, bless the girl,” Lady Sophia said. “She don’t need society, Archibald. All she needs is that pleasant youngman and his place in the country. Scandal won’t harm themthere.”
The duke looked keenly at her. “What have you done, Aunt?” he asked.
“Eh?” she said. “Don’t whisper, Archibald. Some people are willing to take advice. Some people don’t mind benefiting from the wisdom of their elders. I want you to take meto see my little pet this afternoon. I have missed her pretty face all week. No one to talk to. Is someone going to bringme more coffee?”
A footman hurried forward.
The duke folded the letter carefully and set it down beside his plate. He felt numb. Too numb to feel relief.
“Well,” his grandmother said, “I was obviously sadly mistaken, Tenby. The breeding was not there after all. Butit was extremely naughty of her to allow matters to go sofar. I suppose you are happy about it?”
He did not answer.
“I suppose your first thought is of that other woman,” she said. “I’ll not have it, Tenby.”
“And I’ll not have the matter discussed now, Grandmama,” he said, looking her steadily in the eye. “I have some thinking to do. When I have done it, perhaps I shallconsult you. It is still my hope and my intention to keep mypromises to you.”
“But not with that woman,” she said.
“I shall consult you, Grandmama,” he said, “when I have had time to think.” He hesitated.“That womanis LadyWingham. A lady, Grandmama.”
“I suppose,” she said stiffly, her back very straight, “I have some thinking to do too, Tenby. I have always wantedyour happiness. You must know that I have always wantedthat.”
His tone softened. “We will talk later, Grandmama,” he said. He raised his voice. “I shall escort you to Sir CliveForbes’s after luncheon, Aunt Sophie. And come there halfan hour later to bring you home again.”
Lady Sophia sipped her coffee and said nothing.
Old fiend, the duke thought. Wonderful old fiend.
Chapter 16
The Duke of Tenby drove his curricle to Ebury Court in Kent on Monday, having fought with himself all weekend—with what he owed Harriet, with personal inclination,with what he owed his position. His aunt, of course, hadurged that he throw caution to the wind. She had not evenwaited until they returned home from their call at Sir CliveForbes’s and their discovery that Harriet had gone away.He doubted that Lady Forbes would have told him whereshe had gone—the woman had looked at him rather severely. But she had told his aunt.
“You have to go after her, Archibald dear,” his aunt had said when they were in the carriage again. “You are freeagain, after all, and you do love the gel, after all.”
“And that is all that matters, Aunt?” he asked. “Love?”
“Unfortunately no,” she said after he had had to repeathis question. “One cannot be quite foolish. One cannot liveon love. But if it comes to a choice between love and dutyand choosing love will not bring disaster, then that is whatone should choose. Would marrying my dear little LadyWingham bring disaster into your life, Archibald?”
By no means. But perhaps marriage to him would bring disaster into hers. He was no gentleman. He was a manwithout honor. She did not want to see him again. Exceptthat he suspected she was deeply hurt. He suspected thatshe loved him.
“Did you give this same advice to Lady Phyllis?” he asked loudly.
“She behaved foolishly,” his aunt said. “An elopement is not good even if they do intend to live quietly in the country. But perhaps she meant to be caught, Archibald. Onceshe had written to you and sent the letter, it would not matter, would it? Perhaps she has persuaded her mama andpapa to let her have the man she wants. He is the heir to abarony, you know.”
She was proved quite correct. When the Earl of Barthorpe, much embarrassed, called soon after the duke’s return home with his aunt, it was to inform his grace that Lady Phyllis had returned to the country with her motherand would in all probability marry the Honorable Mr.David Lockhart on or soon after her twenty-first birthday.
