Page 28 of Better Than a Duke
“They look nothing alike, but they’re two peas in a pod, aren’t they?” Iris whispered beside him, shaking her head as she grinned at the children.
“It’s remarkable, really. Rebecca said she likes that Edmund doesn’t think she’s odd for having only one parent.”
“Edmund said the same thing about Becks. He… doesn’t generally make friends this quickly.” She squinted one eye. “I assume her name was intentional? Becks—Rebecca—and Beckett?”
“I didn’t even realize it for six months, until my mother pointed it out. Once Rebecca realized it, she had to be Becky, then Becks. There was no salvaging anything. She allows me to call her Cricket, but no one else.”
Iris nudged his shoulder, then sat up straighter, starting to wave to a woman of about her age with three young children and a nanny in tow. The woman looked at her, then turned her attention to the nearest shop window as they passed. Iris lowered her hand again, scowling.
“An old enemy?” he asked.
“An old friend.” She took a deep breath. “I saw you at the party night before last, surrounded by young women anxious to become the next Lady Hentrose. When I show my face, though, my dear old friends either pretend they don’t remember me, or they treat me like I have the plague. A widower would seem to be a treasure worth fighting over, but a widow is a pitiable, clinging creature that you can never be rid of once you invite her into your home.”
Beckett glanced behind them as Iris’s former friend resumed her stroll down the street with her offspring. “I don’t…” He trailed off. “Oh, good Lord, I’ve invited you in.”
For a second she stared at him. Then she burst out laughing, a jolly, hearty sound that made him chuckle in return. She looked younger when she smiled; not that she was old by any means, but the worry lines beginning across her forehead eased, and her hazel eyes seemed greener.
“What’s so funny?” Edmund demanded, looking up from his whispering with Rebecca.
Iris wiped at her eyes. “The patriarchy,” she chortled.
“We have a question now,” Rebecca announced, clapping her hands together. “Is this errand… What was it?” she muttered, leaning over to Edmund.
“People who work for you,” the boy returned in the same tone.
“Oh, yes. Is this errand to see anyone who works for you? Or with you? And that’s one question.”
“Well considered,” he complimented the children, then put a finger to his chin as if considering his answer. “No, it is not.”
“See? Not the solicitor or the bank, then.” The two of them leaned their heads together again.
“Is it to a park?” Edmund asked.
“No. Five questions remaining.”
“It could still be the menagerie, or the museum,” Rebecca insisted, her voice hushed. “He only askedwhyhe would have an errand there. He’s tricky.”
“Fine,” Edmund acquiesced. “But say animals alive or dead, so the question covers the museum, as well.”
Rebecca nodded. “Does this errand involve any animals, alive or dead?”
“Yes.”
She squealed. “Isit the menagerie?”
“No.”
“Becks, be more patient,” Edmund said, squeezing his hands together. “We only have three more questions now.”
“I got carried away,” Rebecca said, putting her hands over her mouth.
Beside Beckett, Iris leaned closer. “I haven’t seen Edmund this excited in… ever,” she whispered against his ear, her breath warm and tickling.
He shoved back against the abrupt urge to lean closer to her. “Next, we’ll have to find something to do thatyouenjoy,” he murmured.
Her cheeks darkened. “I enjoy seeing my son happy,” she blurted, straightening again.
Had he said something… Oh.Oh. He was courting someone. He didn’t play about, but if the rumor began that he did, that would be far more female attention than he wanted. “I’m courting Lady Pauline Grenedy. I didn’t mean—”
