Page 49 of Betting on a Duke
“A book of poetry. It was interesting until after luncheon when I fell asleep. Thank goodness no one but His Grace found me.”
“Yes, indeed,” Lady Kendall agreed. “Now tell me, my dear, how did you end up married to my dreadful brother?”
Clarice coughed, and shame and embarrassment swept over her. She didn’t know where to start, and luckily, Samuel explained the events, leaving out some of the more personal details that had led up to her wedding with Chesterfield.
“Your father and my brother both seem to lack respect for others. I’m truly sorry for what both of them put you through. Do you mind if I ask how my brother died?”
Clarice clasped her hands together on her lap and fought the urge to fidget. “Since you are family, I don’t see any reason not to share. He died in his mistress’s bed.”
“The blackguard,” Lord Kendall said.
Lady Kendall added, “Once again, I apologize for what he put you through. Also, please forgive me for not reaching out to you sooner. There is no excuse except to say I didn’t know what poison Chesterfield told you about me. Had I known he never mentioned me, I would have visited shortly after finding out about his death.”
“Thank you. But it’s over now. And there’s no need to apologize for not making yourself known sooner. All that matters is that you have now.”
“Has my great-nephew arrived from America to take over the title?”
“No, which worries me. He should have arrived by now. Maybewhen I return to London, he’ll be in residence. May I ask something of you both?”
“Anything,” Lord Kendall replied.
“Is he a good man?”
The look they exchanged didn’t look promising.
“He is neither a good man nor a bad man, or at least he wasn’t. His father controlled every aspect of his life, which is why he fled to the colonies. Let us hope he returns as his own man, a family man and a good one at that,” Lady Kendall said.
“My father threatened Samuel and me. He said if we didn’t stop our courtship, he would talk to your nephew and force me into another loveless marriage.”
“I don’t believe they can force you to do anything. You’re a widow and old enough not to need a keeper. Forgive me for asking such a personal question, but do you have any funds of your own?”
“Yes. I have my annual settlement as Chesterfield’s widow—until I marry again.”
Samuel reached over and put his hand on hers. “We plan to wed very soon.”
Footsteps drew closer, and even before she turned to see who was there, every fiber of her being told her it was her father. He had found her.
“Stanton,” he said menacingly, “get your filthy hand off my daughter. And don’t think a letter from Prinny is going to change my mind on anything we talked about back in London.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Samuel said arrogantly.
Was he trying to purposely anger her father? Thank God, Samuel didn’t obey her father and kept his hand on her because she needed the connection as her body began to tremble. It started deep in her core and spread out from there until it consumed her entire body.
“This is your father?” Lady Kendall asked, gazing frostily up at him.
He looked down his nose at her. “And you are?” Obviously, there would be no polite introductions.
“Weare the Earl and Countess of Kendall.Iwas Chesterfield’s sister, which makes the lovely Lady Chesterfield my sister-in-law.”
Portsmouth chuckled. “He had no family except for his great-nephew, the heir.”
Lady Kendall appeared annoyed and glared at her father. “Just because he didn’t tell you about me, doesn’t mean I don’t exist. I can assure you, I am his sister.”
“Very well,” her father spat, looking bored, “Chesterfield had a sister.” He bowed, barely folding at the waist. “Lord and Lady Kendall. How very nice to make your acquaintance.” He stood straight and glared once again at Samuel. “I told you to take your vile, filthy hand off my daughter.”
“I will not,” Samuel growled. “She is a grown woman and doesn’t answer to you. Nor do I.”
“Clarice, daughter of mine, may I have a private word with you?” her father asked impertinently.
