Chapter 11
Eleven
Austin looked around at all the ladies surrounding the breakfast table, and an unwelcome uncertainty overtook him.
None of these women impressed me.
He sipped his tea slowly, frowning as he tried to remember the previous day’s events, but all he could hear, looping unbidden through his mind, was Deena’s unguarded laugh that rang across the lawn like music no one else had been permitted to hear.
He recalled the way her nose turned an adorable pink every time she blushed, as though her body betrayed her secrets before her mouth ever could.
Secrets.
Austin had many secrets that, if revealed, would cause some murmurs.
To allow gossip surrounding his name to go unchecked might lead to his ruin.
His father’s secret affairs were exposed years ago when he was still a young man, but no one questioned him as the son of the Duke of Windemere then.
He never imagined that perhaps his mother had her own secrets, too.
Until now.
He took a slower sip, his mouth suddenly dry and his frown deeper.
He tried to picture the imposter who was clearly working hard to cause Austin’s downfall.
Could it be one of his father’s ex-lovers?
A woman scorned and left behind? Or maybe it was a distant cousin or nephew who felt they deserved his title and estate more than he did?
Austin was lost. He questioned whether he was truly his father’s son, and if he was not, then is the rightful heir blackmailing him? But he knew that whoever it was, he would find them, and if they were wrong about his legitimacy, he will bring them to their knees in surrender.
The door to the breakfast room creaked open.
Austin’s attention shifted. He was hoping to find Deena at the entrance, but instead her nephew burst in, dragging along his governess.
Both were damp from the morning drizzle, and Percy’s little cheeks were flushed.
Selina followed shortly, looking slightly harried but amused.
“Uncle Austin!” Percy skidded to a halt beside Austin’s chair. “You’re frowning again! Grandmama says frowning gives you wrinkles and then ladies won’t like you!”
Austin’s mouth twitched despite himself. “Is that so?”
Percy nodded vigorously
“It’s time for your lessons darling.”
Percy hesitated, then leaned closer to Austin, lowering his voice to a dramatic whisper. “Uncle Austin, are you sad because you didn’t catch a duck yesterday? I told you we should’ve used bread!”
If only it were that simple.
Austin chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair. “Ah! Yes, I should’ve used bread.” He tutted. “I think the ducks won that round, little man. But I’ll take you out later and we’ll bring bread.”
Percy beamed. “With jam?”
“Ducks eat bread with jam?” Austin asked with a raised brow.
Percy laughed wickedly. “Yes, with tea too!”
“These are very demanding ducks, but I will do my best to see that they get what they want,” Austin said in the most serious tone, adding a firm nod.
Percy giggled while Selina slid into the seat opposite Austin. “All right, Percy. Say goodbye to Uncle Austin.”
The distraction was well needed, but the governess was already leading him off, and Percy looked back and pouted. Austin chuckled at the boy’s expression.
“I’m curious to know what’s gotten you frowning so early in the morning,” Selina whispered so only he could hear her,
Austin shook his head and smiled coyly. When Selina entered Dominic’s life, he automatically gained a sister, but he was still getting used to her kindness and attentiveness.
“I will never get used to the fact that my friend is a father and husband,” he murmured, trying to steer the conversation to safer grounds.
“Don’t change the topic,” Selina saw right through him. She reached for the teapot. “How did the Gallop go?”
Austin exhaled long and slow, reviewing the parade of eligible ladies in his mind like a general surveying a troop who had failed to impress.
“Where do I begin?” He let out a long sigh of resignation.
“Who did you sit with first?” Selina beamed at him as she poured herself a cup of tea.
“Well,” he lowered his voice and Selina leaned in curiously, “Lady Amelia was… enthusiastic as ever. As you know.” Selina nodded.
“Lady Ann had excellent posture but a terrifying mother. Miss Langley, although she was highly recommended, was so composed I half expected her to be carved from marble. And Miss Waldron—” He paused, almost smiling.
“Miss Waldron was sharp. Quick. But still… not quite.”
Selina froze with her lifted cup of tea, watching him over the rim. “Not quite what?”
“Not quite… the one,” he said firmly.
Selina let out a snort of laughter that did not surprise him.
“What, pray do tell, is so funny?” Austin feigned irritation, but Selina’s laughter was highly contagious.
“Since when does the Velvet Duke, who is now famous for his exploits, require ‘the one’? I thought your motive was simply to marry, and any unimpeachable lady would serve.”
Austin groaned. “Does my friend ever keep any secrets from you?”
“No!” Selina said proudly.
“Anyhow, yes, that was the plan. A quick ceremony and a couple of days later, some heirs on the horizon. You know. No fuss.”
“No, sadly, I do not know what it’s like to not fuss over love.” Selina pouted.
“I surely am not searching for love!” he retaliated.
“And I surely believe you.” But she clearly did not.
“Where is my good friend, and why has he left me with his tyrant wife?” Austin pretended to search for Dominic.
Selina laughed. “He should be here shortly; he had some errands to run.”
“Ah, such is the life of a duke.”
Austin had some errands to run as well. A solicitor to see and an article to write with Deena. He looked around again but did not find her anywhere, and his stomach churned.
What if something happened to her?
“Austin?” Selina was staring at him concernedly.
“Have you seen Lady Deena this morning?” he asked too quickly.
Selina frowned, deep in thought. She took a moment before she answered, causing Austin to worry even more.
“Yes, I did see her,” she eventually said, and Austin immediately relaxed. “But it was only a few seconds. I went to her chamber to wish her luck for the game and inform her that Dominic and I got her a dress for this afternoon.”
Austin nodded, glad that she was safe and not harmed in any way. They had to remain vigilant until they heard back from her blackmailer. The stranger’s sudden silence after the article was overbearing but Austin had a plan to track the man or woman behind the threats.
“Are you going to explain to me why you’re asking about my sister-in-law or leave me guessing?” Selina interrupted his thoughts.
“I simply have some questions for her, nothing more.” The letters burned his pocket like a fiery reminder.
“All right.” Selina shrugged. “Have you even an inkling of which girl you want to marry after the Gallop?” she continued to prompt him.
“No,” he replied after a moment.
“Why not?” Selina looked genuinely disappointed.
“Because now I find myself wanting…” He trailed off, jaw tightening when he realized what he was about to admit.
“Wanting what? Do not leave me in suspense again!”
“I do not know, Selina. I believe I want…more?”
Selina’s brows lifted, and she gaped in utter surprise. “Am I imagining things, or have you suddenly become romantic about marriage?”
This time, Austin snorted. “I’ll not have this conversation with the woman who married the Stone Duke.”
She laughed, bright and delighted. “Touché. Though in my defense, your friend’s stone facade cracked spectacularly once he met the right woman.”
Austin’s expression softened. “Yes, that is true. Unfortunately for me, velvet doesn’t crack.”
Selina studied him. “Are you all right, Austin? The gossip sheets are full of your… charitable exploits and the ton is eating them up.”
He shrugged. “Why shouldn’t I be? Scandal slides off me. It always has. At least, I won’t be exiled and lose my place in England.”
Selina’s eyes widened with realization and Austin smiled at her knowingly. He hadn’t meant to bring up Deena again, but the words had already spilled out of him.
“The worst that happens to a scandalous man is a raised eyebrow and a temporary dip in invitations,” he continued.
“Did my darling sister-in-law really open up to you?” She seemed genuinely interested in his answer.
“Deena? A little, yes.” He averted his eyes; Selina was an expert at reading people, and just mentioning Deena’s name sent a flame through his yearning body. “My point is that I would never have to flee England because of some scandal with a married woman.”
A scandal about possible illegitimacy would be infinitely worse.
A sense of dread fell upon him as he really considered the downfall he would face if Deena chose to betray him or if news got out from whoever was blackmailing them.
“Sometimes, even the most powerful dukes pay for the consequences of others’ actions,” Selina said softly as if she read his mind.
“Look at Dominic. After his first wife died, he carried that grief like a sentence. The ton called him the Stone Duke, and he let them. That is until I came along and refused to let him stay stone,” she added smugly.
Austin’s mouth quirked. “You’re taking credit for that?”
“I am.” Her smile was bright and gentle.
“And I’m telling you that even you could be affected if your past was splashed across every drawing room.
Not because the ton would shun you, they adore scandal, but because the right wife might hesitate.
The right family might withdraw. Your plans could falter at the very moment you need them most.”
Austin stared at his tea. She was right, of course. He’d been counting on rumors sliding off him. But the right bride, one who was honest and decent, might not consider him a match if the scandals grew more salacious.
Percy burst back into the room, running away from his governess.