Page 80 of The Recluse of Wolfeton House (Ladies of Devon 4)

Hattie’s stomach dropped, and she wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. The group of men had gone silent, and Jeffrey turned sharply toward them, making it clear that he’d heard Caroline as well. Given the guilt splayed over his face, it was quite clear that Caroline had not been lying.

No, it would appear that Hattie was nothing but a charity case in need of fixing, and Papa had recruited Lucy of all people to help. Evidently, everyone in the room except Hattie’s friends was already aware of this embarrassing tidbit of information. Just how desperate was Papa to be rid of her? Hurt sliced through her stomach, and her mouth went dry.

Amelia stepped between Lucy and Hattie and slipped her hand around Hattie’s arm. “Did you hear that a man in Melbury lost his pocket watch during the assemblies? They later found it around a horse’s neck. It’s now up for debate whether the man was in his cups and did it himself, or if someone else was playing a joke.”

“I should like to meet the person who can subdue a horse long enough to slip a chain around his neck,” Charles said, smiling. “It nearly makes me disappointed that we were forced to miss the assemblies.”

Nick laughed. “Well, it doesn’t surprise me. We are well acquainted with the sort of folks who hail from Melbury.”

Giulia raised her eyebrows, shooting her husband a look. He didn’t seem to understand her meaning, or perhaps he was unaware that the Carters came from Melbury. Regardless, Hattie was grateful for her friends’ speed in stepping in and changing the conversation.

Barking echoed from the tall ceilings in the entryway, traveling toward the drawing room. Someone needed to put Daisy and Rosie down in the kitchen if they continued to be so noisy. They quieted as though they’d heard the threat in her thoughts, and the door to the drawing room opened. Their butler stepped forward to introduce the newest guest.

“His Grace, the Duke of Bentley, and Mr. Warren.”

Hattie’s head whipped around so swiftly she felt a distinct twinge go down her neck. Her lips parted, and she caught Bentley’s gaze across the room. He held her eyes briefly before sending a smile to her sister-in-law and stepped forward with Mr. Warren to make their bows.

“We did not know if we would have the pleasure of your company this evening, Your Grace,” Lucy said, fighting a broad smile. She must feel inordinately relieved.

“I sped my travels particularly for this occasion,” he replied prettily, bending over her hand. Lucy delivered a slight giggle, and her gaze immediately sought Caroline, who stood frozen, her wide eyes trained on Bentley.

Perhaps her pride could not withstand the presence of an actual duke.

Dinner was announced before Hattie could so much as step away from Amelia, and she was swept into the dining room, finding herself seated diagonally across from Bentley, at the precise angle to see him well, but not close enough for conversation.

It was excruciating. She longed to ask him about his visit with his mother, if he had seen his stepfather, how the journey was, and if he loved her as much as she loved him. Something about seeing the man in a black coat and snowy white cravat made her knees weak, and it was a blessed thing she was sitting down or she was certain her legs would’ve buckled beneath her. He was so handsome, and she hoped he was hers.

Bentley’s appearance made the sting of Papa’s betrayal lessen, but she wished to speak to him about it, to ask his opinion and beg his advice. She caught his eye a few times over dinner, but he seemed caught up speaking to Lucy. The dinner seemed to drag on for hours, and when they were finished, Lucy stood. “Ladies, shall we?”

Bentley wiped his mouth and set his napkin on the table. “Actually, I believe the men should come, too.” His gaze slid to Hattie. “There should be a surprise for Miss Green in the drawing room.”

Hattie’s heart raced and murmurs of the party followed her as she led them toward the drawing room, Lucy one step behind her. The woman tried to take her arm, but she was not feeling quite that charitable yet. She might love her sister-in-law, but she was still hurt. She stepped into the drawing room, and her eyes immediately fell upon Papa, sitting on his favorite chair near the fire with a tray beside him bearing an empty plate and half-filled wine glass.

“Papa,” she said, hurrying toward him. She’d missed him these last weeks, and his familiar smile and scent of pipe smoke and leather made her feel at home again—regardless of the fact that she was not the one who’d left.

He stood, drawing her into his arms warmly before setting her aside and greeting the rest of the party. She had so many questions, but none she should voice at present. Namely, how had he come to be here, and how was Bentley aware of it?

“Perhaps we ought to leave so you can spend time with your family,” Nick said, sliding his hand around Giulia’s waist.

“Indeed,” Amelia agreed, her gaze darting between Bentley and Hattie. “We shall leave you to it.”

Oh, no. What if Bentley left with the rest of them? She needed more time with him. She’d yet to speak one word to the man. “You needn’t go,” Hattie said. “Lucy and I planned games to amuse us.”

Caroline did not appear quite ready to leave, either. She eyed Bentley. “We could remain for a game or two.”

Amelia reached over and pinched her husband’s arm, so subtly Hattie would have missed it if she was not looking at them as she spoke. “I think it is best if we go,” Charles said. “But we would love to play your games another night.”

“It is getting late,” added Giulia. Her friends believed they were helping, undoubtedly. But they weren’t.

Bentley skirted the group and spoke quietly to Papa as the remainder of the party said their farewells, Giulia all but pushing Caroline ahead of her as she left the room. Hattie felt helpless watching the guests drain from the room. Warren slipped out after Charles and Amelia, Lucy and Jeffrey on their tail to see them to the door. It all happened so suddenly; then she was left alone in the drawing room with her father. Her shoulders sank.

Lowering her face into her hands, Hattie rubbed at her eyes, fighting an exhausted yawn. “I learned something interesting about Lucy tonight, Papa. You have some explaining to do.” She turned a look of consternation on her father. Only, he was not alone. Bentley still stood beside him, and the very serious gaze he leveled on her made her bite down hard on her bottom lip.

“I believe we do,” Papa said. He patted Bentley on the shoulder. Papa patted the duke. “But first, this young man has something he would like to say to you.”

Stunned, Hattie could say nothing as Papa placed a light kiss on her cheek. She shook herself alert and took his hand. “No, wait, Papa. Why did you do it? Why did you ask Lucy to come and not tell me of your reasons?”

His familiar, kind eyes sat on her steadily. “If I had told you of my intentions, would that have made you more amenable to Lucy’s help?”

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