Page 65 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“I’m busy, sir,” he said without lowering the paper to see who was talking to him.
Not surprisingly, the man felt his worth. No one made it to his lofty position without a lot of power and money. Apparently they also had a large dose of arrogance, and the unyielding support of many political cohorts. “So am I, but I made time for you.”
“You shouldn’t have bothered.”
Wyatt didn’t take the Lord Chancellor’s rudeness as an affront. They didn’t know each other by voice. They had met, but Wyatt wasn’t sure the man would recognize him. However, he would surely know the title.
“I am Wyatthaven.”
The newsprint dropped to the side of the chair with a rustle, and he rose quickly. “My apologies, Your Grace,” he offered with a stiff nod. “I had no idea to whom I was speaking.”
The Lord Chancellor was a tall, slim man with aheadful of gray hair. A pair of spectacles rested on the bridge of his sharp nose, and his thin lips formed more of a grimace than a pleasant greeting. That didn’t bother Wyatt either. He motioned with his hand for the man to retake his seat, and then made himself comfortable in the opposite chair.
“I wasn’t aware you were a member of this club,” the Lord Chancellor offered in a suspicious tone. “I haven’t seen you in here before.”
“I’m a guest of a friend. I wanted to have a personal word with you and thought it best not to have it in your office.”
The Lord Chancellor shrugged in a noncommittal way and remained silent.
“I believe you are aware a case will be coming before you soon that involves my wife and her nieces and nephew. She’s been their unofficial guardian for some time now. I’d like to know I can count on you to make sure she keeps them in her care on the date of the hearing.”
The Lord Chancellor took his spectacles off and laid them on his knee but once again said nothing. He was shrewd and obviously wasn’t going to be caught making promises he didn’t know he was going to keep.
“I know Lord Longington has spoken with you about the petition on behalf of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Jane Tomkin.”
“I have many cases before me.” He rested his elbows on the arms of the chair and pressed his fingertips together. “I’ve made no promises to anyone, Your Grace. Whatever the case, I hear the arguments of both sides and allow them to stand on their own merit. I judge based on what is best for the child or children involved. Proper care, a respectable home life, and the like.”
“That’s good to hear. Remaining with the duchess isbest for her nieces and nephew. I’d count it as a favor if you were to grant guardianship to my wife for that reason. After all, she kept them for over a year before Mrs. Tomkin petitioned the court to take them from her.”
The Lord Chancellor remained calm and still as a windless day. “As one must in my position, I listen to all sides—family, political, or otherwise. It’s my duty to do what’s best for the children.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
The Lord Chancellor lightly tapped the pads of his fingers together, but his passive face remained resolute. “I’m sure you know it’s unlikely a female would ever be named a legal guardian for children who have property or money. It’s the husband who would be awarded guardianship.”
“We know it would have to be granted in my name,” Wyatt assured him.
“It’s also unlikely I’d choose a viscount over a duke as guardian unless there were extreme circumstances where I thought the children were in danger.”
The incident in the park immediately flashed in Wyatt’s mind. Some might consider the children were in danger, but would the Lord Chancellor?
“Ah,” the man said, grabbing his spectacles from his knee. “The gentleman I was waiting for has arrived.” He rose. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace.”
Wyatt remained seated while the man walked away. Epworth was right. The Lord Chancellor was not an easy man to talk to. There was no reason for him to be easy to deal with. He had the support of a whole damn political system behind him. He made no promises, other than a duke would likely be chosen over a viscount, as Wyatt assumed.
For now, he and Fredericka needed to keep makingappearances together as a happily married couple with a home devoted to the welfare of the children. That meant he had to continue making time for her even if he had to miss some of the upcoming tournaments. For some reason, that thought didn’t bother him as much as it once did.
Wyatt watched the pious Lord Chancellor walk out the door. Family, politics, or otherwise, there was no way in hell he was going to let that man take Elise, Charles, and Bella away from Fredericka.
CHAPTER18
TULIP—DECLARATION OF LOVE
—L. H.
I have a tale for thee; the Tulip’s pride
Must tell thee with its rich and varied dyes
