One Night with the Duke by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Author:Jodi Ellen Malpas [ELLEN MALPAS, JODI]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Forever
Published: 2022-08-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Supper is, as always, quite a casual affair. Frank is still missing, though no one, seemingly, wants to acknowledge that, and, in addition to my quiet speculation regarding my brother’s whereabouts, I have been desperate to question Father, who appears in full health, might I add, about the Duke’s recent calling. And my mother, actually. Is she oblivious, or has she learned a thing or two from all the other protective, ruthless mamas of the ton who’ll go to alarming lengths to ensure the suitability of prospective callers? It’s tricky to know for sure, but what I must remember is that any mention of the Duke will rouse questions that I do not want to answer and draw attention where it is not wanted, because, heaven help me, I absolutely must see him again. Must. I think I could possibly die if I do not. An exaggeration, I know, but still. I’m rather enamoured.

This evening, I am told, Viscount Millingdale is hosting a more subdued dinner party, with only a select few guests. Much to Mother’s delight, she and Father are among the select few.

‘I should think so,’ Father laughs, helping himself to the potatoes. ‘After all, of the eighty banks in London, I chose his to take care of my fortunes. He also advertises his bank in my newspaper, for a heavily discounted rate, no less, therefore gaining him more business.’

‘You know as well as I do that money does not carry the same weight as a title, and Belmore Square is full of titles.’ Mother reaches for Clara’s hair and removes a loose strand from her forehead, a move that appears to irritate my sister. She scowls and rolls her shoulder, effectively shrugging Mother off. ‘As was demonstrated by Mrs Fallow’s direct cut,’ she goes on, oblivious, or perhaps ignoring, Clara’s testiness. What’s got into her, I wonder? ‘She behaves as if she is in possession of a title herself.’

Father looks at Mother with a fond smile, silently amused by her competitiveness, as he spoons some more potatoes onto his plate. ‘Porter and his wife will be accompanying us this eve.’

Mother grimaces, because she, like me, finds the chief editor of Father’s newspaper as unbearable as I do. ‘I do so hope Marion isn’t sporting a darkened eye that we have to pretend isn’t there again.’

‘It was an accident,’ Father says, his eyebrows lifting in warning. ‘And we have no reason to doubt Porter’s explanation of Marion’s unfortunate accident.’

Mother huffs. I’m with her, though my doubt is, with great difficulty I admit, contained. ‘I shall require the carriage on the morrow.’

‘And where might my fine wife be travelling to?’

‘The girls and I are going out for the day.’

‘We are?’ I question.

‘We are?’ Clara says, speaking up for the first time since we arrived at the table. ‘I don’t want to go out for the day.’

Ignoring her, Mother sips her wine on a smile. ‘A lovely little outing will do us good. Some mother and daughter bonding. Yes. Lovely.

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