Chapter 16
After dropping Ellis at Wellesbourne House, Roman continued to the Phoenix Club, where he would bide his time while waiting for her. He wasn’t in a particularly social mood, but he could sit in a corner of the library and sip one of the club’s excellent—and smuggled—Scottish whiskies.
Since it was still early in the evening, he didn’t encounter many gentlemen as he made his way upstairs to the library, a quieter space than the larger, more populated members’ den, which was on the same floor.
Not long after he situated himself in a comfortable chair, a waiter came to deliver a whisky. The employees knew what he liked.
Taking his first sip, he noticed Sheff and his new brother-in-law, Evan Pierce, walk in. They scanned the library, and Sheff’s gaze settled on Roman. Sheff leaned toward Evan and said something, then they headed in Roman’s direction.
“Evening, Keele. Mind if we join you?” Sheff asked.
“Not at all.” Roman held his glass on the arm of his chair.
Sheff moved a third chair to be closer, whilst Pierce sat in the one that was already angled near Roman’s. “Whisky?” Roman asked.
“Of course.” It seemed Roman almost always encountered Sheff here. At least, that was the case before he’d married. Now, Sheff did not come round as much.
Seeing him now, Roman couldn’t help thinking of the letter he’d received from Sheff’s mother. But then it hadn’t been far from his mind since he’d received it earlier.
While Roman could come up with the money to pay her tomorrow, he wasn’t sure he should. He’d considered insisting she sign a document saying she wouldn’t request more money, but the more people he involved in the transaction, the more likely the entire sordid situation was to become known.
Furthermore, he couldn’t believe the duchess would do what she threatened. Why would she be so cruel? And why was she in need of funds in the first place?
Perhaps Sheff’s arrival was fortuitous. Roman considered how to broach the subject of the duchess whilst the footman delivered whisky to Sheff and Pierce.
“This is particularly fine,” Pierce noted after taking a drink. He held the glass up and surveyed the amber liquid.
Roman thought he had an idea of how to wrangle a conversation about Sheff’s mother. He lifted his glass to the other two men. “I find myself sitting with two newly wedded gentlemen. How are you enjoying being married?”
They outdid each other in their exuberance regarding their wedded state, and, after swallowing his gulp of whisky, Roman had to laugh.
“It sounds as though you both made the right choice.” He looked to Sheff.
“How is it sharing Henlow House with your parents? I confess I might have chosen to live elsewhere with my new bride.”
“I’d planned to do just that, but my father has taken up residence in Marylebone with his lady love.
He’s found love at last and knew he couldn’t live with her at Henlow House.
” Sheff gave his head a faint shake. “It’s ironic that my father’s reputation is that of a complete libertine and yet people have continued to accept him in Society. ”
“Because he’s a duke,” Pierce said with a wry chuckle.
“Yes. But my point is that he’s now in a loving, monogamous relationship, and to live openly with her at Henlow House would garner all manner of criticism.
He’s already been somewhat snubbed since returning to London with Mrs. Welbeck.
” Sheff frowned. “It’s a shame, for she’s a lovely woman and the granddaughter of a viscount.
Her husband was a naval captain. My father wanted to divorce my mother so he could marry Mrs. Welbeck, however, that would be a difficult war to win.
” A grimace marred his features briefly.
“It sounds as though you like Mrs. Welbeck,” Roman observed as he swirled his whisky.
“I do. Min and I are thrilled to see our father happy at last. Everyone is aware that our parents’ marriage was disastrous almost from the start—through no fault of his, I’ll add.”
That was also surprising. “But you just said he was a libertine,” Roman said.
“He had his reasons.” Sheff leaned forward and spoke in a low tone. “I recently learned that whilst he fell in love with my mother and proposed marriage, she only accepted to become a duchess, then spurned him after she produced an heir.” His lip curled before he sipped his whisky.
That version of the duchess seemed more like the woman who’d sent Roman that horrid letter. “I take it your mother is not living at Henlow House either?” Roman asked, glad that his plan for learning about her was working.
Sheff reacted as if he’d just smelled a pile of offal. “God no. None of us wants to see her again. She’s not welcome here.”
“And she’s simply staying away?” Roman knew she was in London, unless she’d lied about being at Marvit’s.
“We hope so,” Pierce replied. He appeared to share his brother-in-law’s disgust regarding the duchess.
Roman fixed his gaze on Sheff. “Your mother has long been a prominent member of London society. How is she taking her banishment?” He glanced toward Pierce. “At least, that’s what this sounds like.”
“Banishment is the perfect word,” Pierce said. “Nobody in the family wants anything to do with her.”
Sheff’s brow creased. “I’m concerned she’ll try to return to London, but it will be difficult for her.
My father has cut her off, and she won’t have money to support herself here—or in Bath where she’s currently living.
She’ll have to sell her jewels, and I can’t see her parting with them.
I believe they’re dearer to her than family. ”
Pierce exhaled. “We must sound heartless to you. While we can’t explain what the duchess has done to turn us all against her, please be assured it’s deserved.”
“I know how families can affect one another.” Roman thought of his own father, with whom he’d had a terrible relationship, and of his dead wife. Both had hurt him.
Roman wished he knew what the duchess had done. “Why not give her a moderate allowance to ensure she stays away? That might be the smarter thing to do.”
“I’ve suggested that to my father,” Sheff replied. “But we all agree she can’t be trusted. We don’t want to encounter her as we go about our lives.”
“Perhaps you should buy her a castle in the most remote area of Scotland you can find,” Roman suggested.
“I did recommend that at one point,” Pierce said. “But I’m new to the family, and I must defer to my wife and her father, as well as Sheff.” He glanced toward his brother-in-law.
That wasn’t a bad idea. Roman could buy the duchess a home somewhere—not a castle, given the state of his coffers—rather than just give her the money she’d demanded. He could ask his solicitor to draw up a contract. She would receive the property if she swore never to return to London.
Satisfied that he’d learned all he could, Roman finished his whisky and stood. “I must be on my way.”
“Already?” Sheff asked in surprise.
“Afraid so. I’ve business to conduct.” He didn’t really, of course, but he wanted to be waiting for Ellis when she was finished with dinner. “Evening, lads.”
Roman took his leave, glad that he’d decided to go to the club.
At least he knew why the duchess was seeking money—because she’d been cut off by her husband and the rest of the family—even if he didn’t know the reason for her banishment.
He had to think it had something to do with Ellis.
The duchess seemed to despise her daughter’s former companion, and now the entire family had ostracized her.
What was between the two women?
Roman had his coachman park near Wellesbourne House, though not directly in front. He’d wait a little longer to move into a position where Ellis could see from a window that he was waiting. He didn’t want to knock on the door and announce his presence.
An hour or so later, the coachman drove forward, and it wasn’t long before Ellis left the house. Roman felt a swell of joy at seeing her, though it had only been a couple of hours since they’d parted.
He stepped from the coach and eagerly helped her inside. She sat on the rear-facing seat, a clear indication—at least to Roman—that she was still agitated about something. He sat down opposite her.
“Did you have a nice time?” he asked as the coach started moving.
“I did. Thank you.” She smiled vaguely, but her posture was stiff.
“Then why are you tense?”
She blinked at him. “You think I’m tense?”
He regarded her a moment. “Yes. You’ve appeared agitated or upset for a couple of days now. I know there are things you’re keeping from me, and I don’t wish to press you about them, but you can trust me—with all your secrets.”
She brushed at something on her gown, casting her head down. “Does that include a secret that would almost certainly upset you?”
“Yes,” he replied without thinking. “I don’t want you to carry something that’s troubling you, even if it would trouble me too.” Truthfully, he was already agitated knowing she was. “I would share your burden.”
She met his gaze unflinchingly. “I don’t want you to think less of me. This secret will change things between us.”
“I promise you it won’t,” he vowed.
“You don’t know that. This is…unconscionable.” She finally looked away, turning her head toward the window. Her features were stoic for the rest of the ride.
Roman sat brooding, tension coiled within him as they approached his house. He didn’t wait for the coachman to climb down and open the door. Instead, he departed the coach and held his hand up to assist Ellis.
Though they wore gloves, her touch was electric. Roman had to keep from pulling her toward him. She preceded him into the house, where Graham greeted them.
“I trust you had a pleasant evening,” the butler said pleasantly.
“Yes, thank you,” Ellis replied with a brief smile. “Good night, Graham.” She glanced back over her shoulder as if she were trying to communicate the same to Roman. Then she continued toward the stairs.