Page 42 of The Duke Meets His Match

“Yes, please—but only if it doesn’t inconvenience him.”

Talbot nodded in acknowledgment. “I shall have refreshments sent in,” he said.

George wanted to snap at Talbot that he was not undernourished in any way, devil take it, but he resisted. “Thank you, Talbot,” he said instead. He hoped his tone wasn’t too sharp.

When he reached his study, he crossed to the side table and poured himself a small brandy before seating himself at his desk.

His betrothal to Miss Jennings was now public. Word had spreadquicklythrough St. George’s, and they had endured a veritable reception line of well-wishersfrom virtually all in attendance at church following the services. He and Miss Jennings had smiled and responded while all and sundry had bowed and curtsied and expressed their surprise and excitement and joy ... It had gone on for more than an hour. Afterward, George had taken Miss Jennings and Lady Walmsleyhome, had politely refused Lady Walmsley’s invitation for luncheon, and hadleft.

Frankly, Miss Jennings had looked relieved when he’d refused the invitation.What of it?he thought rather grumpily, fingering his quizzing glass. If she needed time to herself after they’d endured each other’s company all morning, that wasfine with him. He needed time to collect his thoughts and determine howtoproceed anyway. At the very least, word of the betrothal would now circulate quickly through theton.

“Your Grace?” Henshaw said quietly after poking his head through the door.

“Come in, Henshaw,” George said. “I’m sorry to interrupt your Sabbath, but I fear there is work to be done.”

Henshaw seated himself across the desk from George, looking inquisitively at him.

“I am to be married, Henshaw,” George said. “In eight days.”

George watched Henshaw’s jaw drop before he collected himself. “Hearty congratulations, Your Grace. How may I be of assistance?”

Before George could reply, the door burst open, and James Jennings strode into the room, with Talbot following frantically behind him.

“We must talk,” Jennings barked.

“Missed you at church this morning, Jennings,” George said sardonically.

“I mean it, Aylesham! I expect more of an explanation than you gave me yesterday. Susan is too bright, too full of life to end up in a loveless marriage. And I highly doubt it will be anything more than that.”

“Will you excuse us for a moment, Henshaw?” George said.

“Certainly, Your Grace.” Henshaw hastily left, and Talbot followed him, shutting the door quietly behind them.

Jennings crossed the room, planted his hands atop George’s desk, and glared at him. “I know for a fact that you only became acquainted with my sister at Lady Bledsoe’s ball.Deviltakeit, man, you looked upon her with utter indifference, as she did you.Morethan indifference—contempt. And yet, four days later, you expect me to accept that the two of you are marryingin one week’s time? Iwillhave answers, Aylesham. As her elder brother, standing in place for her father, Idemandthem.”

George took a sip of his brandy before replying. “You may demand answers all you like, Jennings, but what has transpired between your sister and me is our concern, not yours.”

“Not good enough, Aylesham,” Jennings snarled, still leaning over the desk at him. “Not good enough by half. I brought her to Town; I gave my word to our parents that I would keep her safe. She hasn’t even been here a week yet!”

“Pour yourself a drink, Jennings,” George said. “You’re distraught.”

“Donottoy with me, Aylesham,” Jennings growled.

George sighed and took another sip of his brandy. “Very well. You are correct that your sister and I got off to a prickly start. We briefly encountered each other last year, and it wasn’t a particularly congenial meeting.”

“You have proven my point exactly,” Jennings said. “And yet, in the four days she has been in Town, you and she have suddenly seen the light and have fallen in love?”

“Love?” George said. “She and I have reached an understanding, certainly, and I shall endeavor to ensure her happiness, but when has marriage amongst the higher ranks ever been about love?”

“Precisely!” Jennings nearly shouted. “My sister may be of the ‘higher ranks,’as you call it, but she has been content to be at home with her loving familysurrounding her these past several years. She got her fill of Society during the few years she was in Town for the Season. I have never gotten the impression she has missed London one whit since then. And Iwillnothave her heart toyed with as it was—” He abruptly cut off his speech and went to the end table to pour himself a drink after all.

Ah.

“Who?” George asked softly.

Jennings only shook his head and set the decanter down.

“Who?” George asked again. If he was understanding Jennings’s unspoken words correctly, someone had broken Susan Jennings’s heart during her earliest years in Town.

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