Chapter 17 #2
Philippa reached from her chair next to the sofa for Jane’s hand.
“Duncan Kenworth, Richard’s half-brother, is a grasping usurper.
If Richard fails to meet the terms of the directive of his father’s will, Duncan will gain the Dukedom.
The reason your wedding was to be kept quiet was to keep Duncan from moving against Richard. The man has few scruples.”
“True.” Richard silently thanked Philippa for comforting her sister.
“I had hoped that if Duncan thought me unwed, he would take his time before trying to enforce the will, since according to society, I am in mourning. I was afraid he would try to prevent the wedding if he knew. Which is why I asked Alexandra to keep a special watch on you, and matters were kept very quiet.”
Jane looked from one member of the family to another. “Am I in any danger?”
“Why would you be?” asked Philippa.
Michael, as usual, stated the obvious. “Because an heir hasn’t been born yet. If Duncan can prevent that occurrence, he wins. I believe that is why he had an affair with Ethel. If he could keep her from Richard—”
“Michael, you speak out of turn.” Richard did his best to curb his annoyance at his cousin for laying out the situation in such an indecorous way before Jane. Though he spoke the truth, the tale was not helpful to calm his wife’s already stretched nerves.
“Who is Ethel?” whispered Jane to her sister.
“The late duchess. We never used her name if we could help it. But now you’re the Duchess, we can no longer refer to her by her title.” Philippa answered back in the same low tone.
“I have no intention of having an affair.” Jane spoke plainly and firmly.
Richard looked at his young wife. Of course she did not. That made the situation even more dangerous.
Philippa eased the tension with a giggle. “Anyone who has ever met you knows you would not. Especially with a slimy slug like Duncan. I cannot speak with him without wishing immediately for a bath and a change of clothing to remove the essence of him.”
“Have I met him?” asked Jane.
“Not in my presence, so I doubt not. Aunt Healand would have kept you far from him at any event you went to if he had shown his face.” Philippa gave an exaggerated shutter.
“But I am in danger? That is the reason for footmen the size of blacksmiths, is it not?” Jane directed her question to Richard.
“I hope you are not. However, I have learned from my ancestors that a well-guarded castle is the best deterrent to a siege. I dismissed all the servants loyal to the former duchess. As you have noted, I have a few less traditionally sized footmen.” Unsure what reassurance his new wife needed, he laid his hand near Jane’s, giving her the option of taking it or not.
“Can you not retrieve the letter Lightwood sent?” asked his mother.
“Short of becoming a highwayman, no.” Richard had thought of dozens of plans, all had flaws bigger than a mail coach.
“Father likely did not pay for the postage, so there is a chance Duncan will refuse to pay as well,” said Philippa.
“We can hope.” Telling the others that he had men to keep eyes on Duncan’s London flat would only worry them. “For now, Lightwood is ensconced in his Yorkshire estate and not likely to cause more trouble.”
Michael coughed a word that sounded like, “Unlikely.”
His wife elbowed him.
There was much Richard left unsaid about his errand.
Lightwood was in his cups and out of money when he was found.
The words his new father-in-law used as he spoke of his daughters, especially Alexandra and Jane, were so vile that Richard finally hit the man.
Those words were best never thought of again or spoken. Only Yates heard them.
His estimation of Lightwood almost three years ago when he removed Alexandra and Philippa’s names from Michael’s list was more than correct.
His guess that the daughters would follow in the father’s footsteps was not.
He glanced at his wife still holding her sister’s hand.
The fortitude of the woman. She must be one of the bravest in all of England.
Gratitude welled within his chest touching places Richard thought long dead.
“Is there anything more of import?” asked Michael breaking the too long pause.
At Richard’s negative reply, Philippa stood, causing Michael and Richard to stand as well. “I do hate to insist, but we must take our leave.”
Jane stood slower than the others, her eyes wide as she looked from her sister to Richard and back. Perhaps she was not used to someone speaking so freely in the presence of a duke. The sisters hugged and walked out of the room together. Lady Anne followed them.
“Is there more for my ears only?” asked Michael.
“Nothing of importance. If I had known what pain my new father-in-law could cause, I would have found a way to smuggle him on a ship bound for Australia.”
“I will help if it comes to that.” Michael shifted.
“Philippa told me I overstepped when I told you to repair your mistakes. But I think not. You have so long played the martyr in your marriage that I think you may have problems building a strong one with a new life. You cannot ignore Jane as you did Ethel. I wish you all the happiness I have with Philippa. Surprisingly, that takes work. I must listen, tell her of my love—” Michael pulled his notebook from his pocket and opened to the very first page and ripped it out.
“I have not needed this page for some time. You, however, could use my list.”
Richard took the page and read.
1. Say “I love you” every day — kissing is not enough.
2. Ask her:
— How are you feeling or thinking?
— What have you been doing?
— What do you need me to do?
Every morning and every night!
3. Give her small gifts once per fortnight — not daisies, not the red candy.
4. Go for a walk or ride together every 3 days or fewer.
5. Say thank you.
6. Tell her why I am upset.
7. Hold the baby.
8. Talk in bed — before AND AFTER
9. Take her to the theater.
10. Read poetry to her.
11. Don’t say a dress looks poorly on her.
Richard’s eyes caught number eleven. He thought of the gray dress. He would not be making that particular mistake twice. That his cousin had made a list was not surprising. Michael made lists of everything. “Don’t you need this list?”
“I am almost at the end of this notebook. So I have already written the list in my new one. With some additions, of course. Philippa does not like fish.” Michael looked at the list in Richard’s hands.
“Some of these may not apply, yet. You do not have a baby. Some are very important. Like talking to her often and only give gifts of things she wants. Not what you want.”
Richard wondered for a moment what Michael had given his wife but quickly turned back to thoughts of his own wife. “I do not know Jane very well. Do you know what she might like?”
“Books are the obvious gift.” Michael thought for a moment. “She misses Sir Galahad.”
Philippa stuck her head into the room. “Are you coming, dear?”
“Yes. I need to just tell Richard one more thing.”
“What?” answered Philippa and Richard in unison.
“Try not being so cross all the time. You do not want to scare her away.”
Richard folded his arms and glared at his cousin. “I am not cross.”
Philippa laughed as she left the room.