Page 45 of Last Night with the Duke
“And you probably never will.”
“What did the twins have to say about her?” he asked.
“Exactly what you told them to: She’s lovely and clever but they’d much rather have me and will I please get well quickly and join them at the parties.”
Griffin laughed. “I said no such things.”
“I know. I was making it up. It matters not to Sara and Vera who escorts them during the Season. It only matters to me.”
“So that’s what’s bothering you?”
She looked out the window and sighed again. “Isn’t it obvious? It was my place to see the twins through the Season, and I’ve let them down and they will be with a stranger.”
“Listen to me,” he said firmly. “You’ve not let anyone down. Least of all the twins, so don’t mention that again.”
“That’s good of you to say, and I know that someone had to fulfill my duties for me. In truth, I probably wouldn’t have liked it any better if you’d been able to secure one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting to chaperone them.” She paused. “But if you had, I’m sure she wouldn’t have brought along her sister and her dog.”
“Look on the bright side,” Griffin said with a grin. “How many people in London would ever have the opportunity to entertain Napoleon and Josephine in their home for a few weeks?”
She turned back to him and gave him a weary smile. “How many would want to?”
Griffin chuckled. He could never get the best of his aunt, so he said, “There is still hope that one of these treatments you’re using will dry up your rash and you won’t miss all of the Season.”
In the bright sunshine streaming through the windowpane, he could see the furrow in her brow had deepened, the wrinkles around her eyes and the lines marring her upper lip were more pronounced from the pain she’d suffered.
“How can I help?” he asked.
“You could try feeling sorry for me and treating me like the old woman I am.”
“You wouldn’t like that,” he said and pulled the edge of the robe up over her cold hands again.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t. So stop doing it.” She pulled her hands out from under the cover. “I was glad she suggested it, though.”
“Who and what?” he asked, though he had a pretty good idea what she was referring to.
“Miss Swift asked if she could accompany the twins to the park for the afternoon. It was a good idea, so I agreed because I’ve been indisposed. I know Vera and Sara were ready to see something other than the inside of this house and the back garden. And, on such a glorious spring day as this, it was the perfect time. I insisted they both keep their parasols open at all times. The last thing we need is for their noses or cheeks to be too rosy for the first ball of the Season.”
“They are very good about following your instructions.”
“As far as we know. Now tell me, are you any closer to finding out any more about the rumor that is circulating about the twins being in danger from a scoundrel?”
“Not much,” Griffin said as he leaned against the window frame. “I talked with the barkeep who worked in the taproom the night Sir Welby heard the men talking. I will get nothing from him. Whatever he knows will go to the grave with him.”
“Sounds as if he was simply being discreet.”
“My thoughts too. I can respect a man who stands by his honor, but I am determined to find out who is behind this. Perhaps there are others who might remember who wandered in and out of the taproom that evening around that time.”
“Perhaps you should speak to someone on Bow Street and let others try to find the answers for you.”
“What kind of man would I be if I let another handle this for me?”
“The intelligent kind. The first ball is in two nights. You haven’t much time.”
“I’m well aware of that. But Rath and Hawk will be there helping me and Miss Swift keep watch on Sara and Vera. If any man shows with mischief on his mind, we will be ready.”
“By the saints, Griffin, you can’t let those two rakes near your sisters. They’ll be ruined for sure if anyone thinks either of those two have designs on the twins.”
“The last I heard titled gentlemen were much preferred over younger sons. I told you Rath and Hawk have mended their ways.” He paused. “Well, Hawk for sure.”
