Chapter 31 Jahleel—Standing on Business
JAHLEEL—STANDING ON BUSINESS
No one is whispering. The parlor has become deathly quiet. I have command of all eyes. I witness the shock that I would admit to strangers that I have a sickness, one that will kill me.
It exposes my greatest weakness, but loving Katherine has taught me that brutal honesty is best. “The blood sickness needs to be discussed. It’s not leprosy. I bear no contagions. What I have harms from the inside, and the struggle can be passed down.”
I’m Darcy at the ball, looking with disdain upon everyone except my family—Scarlett, Carew, and yes, Katherine.
Katia. Those eyes are too far away, but I feel her bewilderment at my openness. She can’t believe I’m so vulnerable with strangers. But it feels good not to be hiding. We all need the truth more than anything.
“If the blood sickness is in your immediate line or one generation … Mr. Carew, Madame Carew, what was the calculation? Was it one or two?”
“Just one,” Scarlett says as Carew captures her hand. He’s proud of his wife. I am, too.
“Yes, everyone possessing the sickness or having it in your family within one generation, please leave.” A quarter of the room rises, bows, and exits through the parlor doors.
I count at least thirty women remaining. That’s twenty-nine women too many.
Yet there is one left sitting who looks utterly beautiful and lost. Katherine attended this meeting.
She’s heard everything important. Perhaps she will believe that the secretive strategist would’ve told her of my suffering, if I had known.
A partner must protect the one they love.
I failed. My zeal, her passion—I failed us both.
“Excellent. My man-of-all-work will collect names.” I sigh. “Those remaining will receive invitations for you and your daughters, and perhaps a few of you with single brothers or older sons can also attend. Lady Hampton also seeks a husband.”
The warmth in the room disappears. Blank, icy stares turn on me.
“Lady Hampton is an elegant woman with a twenty-thousand-pound dowry to ensure she and her new husband can rise above unfair gossip. We are friends. I want the best for her.”
My tone sounds casual, but the ladies devour every word like they are feasting on Georgina’s ginger biscuits or kartoshka. Both are delicious.
After motioning to the footman to open the parlor doors, I turn to leave. “Again, you’re all invited to the ball at the end of the month. It will be a grand introduction of my daughter, Lady Lydia, to society. Perhaps we will meet the future Duchess of Torrance there as well.”
With a nod, I signal to Mr. Steele to take over. I’m ready to withdraw. The man is invaluable, and his notes about the secrets of the noisiest attendees are incredible.
As I begin to leave, the lead interrogator and a familiar young woman start to approach me.
Scarlett and Carew cut through the crowd and intercept me. “Your Grace,” Scarlett says, “Mrs. Randolph has brought Eveline Gray, the Baroness Derand.”
Carew seems surprised when Scarlett embraces her.
“Eveline helps me at Bridewell Hospital, Stephen. She believes in providing care for the courtesans and women inmates.”
Eveline gives Scarlett an odd look. “No need to brag about my charities. But I do care a lot about those society leaves behind. I could be one of those women, if I had no friends.” The young woman beams at me.
“Your Grace, I count you as a friend. Thank you for seeing that my former husband returned my dowry.”
My physician waves over Scarlett’s head, brings the other leader of Cheapside to our group, and says, “Tantie Telma, Auntie Theodora Smith, this is the Duke of Torrance. We were briefly at the Dollar Academy in Scotland together. Formidable then. Formidable now.”
“He said you were different,” Tantie Telma says, “but he forgot to say how charming you were.”
Katherine stays away, until I summon her. She can’t let anyone run her off, not if she is to be useful to our daughter in public.
“Lady Hampton, thank you for joining us this morning.”
“I had no special plans except to be with our daughter,” she says, “but that time I think is special.”
This makes me smile.
“Your Grace,” the baroness says, somewhat cutting in front of Katherine. “I received all my money with interest. Again, I’m forever grateful.” She bows to me, very mindful, very demure.
“Your Grace,” Mrs. Randolph says, “being social in Cheapside as well as Mayfair has much to offer. Baroness Derand is young and has no issue of the blood sickness in her family.”
“Madame Randolph,” I say, “I did not know you were Eveline Gray’s champion.”
“Yes, Your Grace. That’s why I asked hard questions. Her family did not accept her separation from Baron Derand in Scotland. But since you have also had a poor first marriage, you can understand youthful mistakes.”
“That I do, and she looks … very healthy.”
Katherine glares at me as if she wishes to take my cane and crack it over my skull. Katia, the tigress, was always a little irrational. That made her hard to figure out. I love that about her.
She pushes her way to the center of the circle that’s formed. “Your Grace, you will have everyone eating out of your palm. But we have business to take care of in your study.”
Her face looks set in a mode to attack my vanity or impugn my character. “Right now? In my study.”
“Yes,” Katherine says. “Right now.”
Scarlett smiles at her sister. “Your Grace, I’ll have your tea brought to your study.”
“I’ll take some, too, Scarlett. If you don’t mind.”
Her brow rises, but she and her husband leave, discussing Thom’s upcoming surgery.
The baroness slips into her spot and extends her hand. “I … I will never tire of thanking you. You’ve given me back the rest of my life. My friend the countess sends her regards, too.”
This touches me. “Tell the madam, I’m working on her problem now.” Baroness Derand is young and well mannered. “I do look forward to sharing a dance at the ball, my lady.”
“How will he be dancing with the cane?” the Tantie Telma woman says.
“Very carefully,” Katherine replies. “He only needs the balance of a willing and helpful partner.” She turns to me. “This is urgent.”
She holds out her hand and says, “I need your help.”
And just like that, Katherine claims my full attention. I focus on the lovely curve of her lips, repeating she needs me.
Katherine and I walk toward my study. At first, we move together. I barely need the support of my cane. Then she tows me inside the room and shuts the door.
My study.
I missed this room and being so close to my treasured chess sets. The walnut polished cabinetry looks perfect. I go to my desk and run my finger along my blotter.
My jade set is right where I left it. I pick up a rook. “There were times when I didn’t think I’d see this again. Here is where I will write my letters to all my family.”
“Does that include me?”
“Of course, Katherine. I have what I have because of you.”
“Well, you should check with your new bridal candidates. Sounds as if she will be amongst us soon.”
The annoyed tone sounds normal, but her expression is the same sultry gaze we shared the evening spent in her room.
“Katherine, it’s the plan we agreed upon. I’m not exactly the one to change strategies or tactics.”
She folds her arms, highlighting her straight posture and stately chest. It doesn’t hurt that the square neckline of her day dress brings my eyes to her beautiful olive bosom—the curves, the size, the roundness. And … is she not wearing stockings?
Palms sweating, I sit on the edge of my desk. “Tell me the problem.”
“There are so many to choose from.” Katherine comes closer. “Is it necessary for these women to prostitute their daughters to you? We shall never do that with Lydia.”
“Prostitute? I’m not looking for a temporary arrangement. And I somewhat have a mistress. That’s enough.”
“Will you keep a mistress once you’re married?”
Katia is jealous. I want to smile so badly. “Are you applying for this future position?”
“I’m your reader. You don’t know what to do with a mistress.” She groans and hands me a letter. “Mr. Steele gave me this before your parade of candidates. Oh, just open the letter.”
My amusement fades. Palmers’s handwriting is on the fold. I set the letter on the desk beside my chess set, the whitish mutton-colored opposition side. This pacing, jealous, beautiful woman is far too interesting. “Katherine, do you have problems with our plan?”
She moves to the window, and I watch her curves move the emerald satin fabric. Dainty knit cream gloves cover her hands, which she tucks to her hips.
Did I mention how I love those hips? And the hem swishes over feet swathed in silk. Just slippers. I knew it. “What were you saying?”
“I said, I don’t think that you know what to do with a mistress. Perhaps we need something more scandalous than Pride and Prejudice.”
“You want more scandals, Katherine? That’s not like you.”
“I skipped to the end. Darcy wins Elizabeth with a grand gesture. I want a different, more salacious, more filling gesture. Something that says you notice me, that you want me.”
A glance is all the permanency I can offer. I hate that I can’t love the wife of my youth when everything is at risk.
“Jahleel? Silent? What tomes are on your bookshelf? Perhaps your lecherous friend, Lord Livingston, can recommend some scholarly reading.”
“Katherine, a gentleman doesn’t discuss such things with a lady.”
“Ask him. He probably has picture books stashed at the Rosebud brothel.”
“You sound irrational. I don’t know what you are trying to tell me. But it’s not as if you ever needed evidence to convict me.”
She rubs at her temples. “Why did you dazzle them with your Russian accent?” She gawks at me like I’m the one with the problem. “They will fawn over you without all of this.”
I sit a little straighter. “So I am still handsome to you.” I flex my arm, and she colors.
Steele enters with a tea cart. He takes one glance at us and backs out. The door to my study closes tightly.
“Look, Katherine, tea for two. But I must warn you it’s a little bitter.”