Page 93 of A Misguided Devotion

“It is a possibility, but only a slim one, I’m afraid,” said Mr Barnes. “I don’t wish to raise your hopes too high. Only Lord Edward’s family can tell you if he married against his parents’ wishes.” His eyes flicked to the man beside her and then back to her face. “I am sure you’ll be able to discover that, if you so desire.”

Kitty dipped into a curtsey. “Thank you, Mr Barnes. You’ve been most helpful. Good day.”

“It has been a pleasure. I hope our paths will cross in the future. May God help you find what you’re looking for.”

An intense look passed between the two gentlemen as they exchanged bows. Kitty wondered if they were going to start talking again, but they merely took their leave of one another. Was she missing something?

It seemed so. While they walked to Mrs Jenkin’s house, William maintained a flow of chatter about the town, his family—anything other than what had happened in the church. He’d been so adamant they should look at the records, knowing what they might find, yet now he refused to talk about it. What wasn’t he telling her?

The words kept pouring from William’s mouth, giving Kitty no chance to ask the question he knew was on her lips. Her arm grew stiff on his, but he didn’t stop talking until they reached Mrs Jenkin’s door. He couldn’t. Because he did not know how to tell her what Mr Barnes had known. That Lord Edward Hampton was the Duke of Wessex’s younger brother. If Kitty’s father was his illegitimate offspring, that would not sit well with his grandmother.

Mrs Jenkin was remarkably composed when they told her the news about her son and agreed to return with them as soon as she had gathered a few things to make him more comfortable. Leaving Kitty with her, William leapt at the opportunity to pay a visit to his sisters. He desperately needed counsel.

“Morning, Rowson,” he said as the door of his grandmother’s house swung open before him. “Are any of my family about?”

“Yes, your lordship. Lady Henrietta is in the drawing room, and Lady Charlotte is in the music room with Mr Warren.”

That was no surprise. “Excellent. No need to announce me.”

William climbed the stairs two at a time and sauntered into the drawing room, which was situated at the front of the house, overlooking the sea. His youngest sister was curled up in a chair beside the window, reading.

“Morning, Hetta,” he said, leaning over and pecking her cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

She closed her book and lifted a hand to where his lips had touched her skin. Her green eyes sparkled with amusement.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, William—but what have you done with my brother?”

What was she talking about? “Isn’t a man allowed to kiss his sister’s cheek?”

“Of course, but that’s the second time in a week. You haven’t shown me that much affection since before you went up to Cambridge.”

Hadn’t he? That was an oversight on his behalf. “Maybe I’m remembering the importance of family.” Not least because he hoped to start one of his own. With Kitty. But that dream was drifting further away from him by the minute.

“Have you escaped from the beauty? Anthony said you were flirting with her while you painted her portrait and feared you might get entangled.”

William pulled a face. “Do you have to remind me? It turned out she was a married woman.”

Hetta’s head jerked back. “Oh! That must have been a shock.”

Charlotte burst into the room. “Will! Rowson told me you were here.”

“I was right,” Hetta crowed. “He hasn’t fallen for the beauty, and he couldn’t have wed her anyway because she already has a husband!”

His twin rounded on him. “What? You were flirting with a married woman?”

He felt all the weight of her accusation. “Don’t judge me too harshly. Nobody knew. Not even her father. Not until she accused me of killing her husband—”

Both sisters exclaimed and threw their arms around him, smothering him in their embrace. They both talked at once.

“Who is telling such lies?” asked Charlotte. “They won’t get away with it. Grandmama won’t stand for it.”

“Father will employ the best barrister,” Hetta said. “He’ll prove your innocence.”

William stood with a sister on each side, hugging him and reassuring him, with increasing volume, that everything would work out all right. It was rather soothing to his troubled spirit.

The door opened, and Anthony walked in. He lifted his brow, a satirical smile on his lips. “Dear me, I didn’t realise you were in the middle of an emotional family reunion. It was less than a week since we met you in town, wasn’t it?”

Charlotte glared at him. “I think there is some justification. Our brother has been accused of murder.”