Page 15 of A Wager at Midnight (Betting Against the Duke #2)

Chapter 15

S TEPHEN —A TTACK OF THE A UNTIES

T he noisy women heading toward us cause Livingston to flee. “I’ll see you two in the lecture room.”

The earl dashes off, leaving me and Scarlett to greet my excitable aunties.

“Perhaps Lord Livingston thinks they’ve come for him.” Scarlett’s whisper reaches me before I can tell her what we should do about our situation.

But the aunties have come. The women surround me and offer big hugs and sloppy kisses.

“I heard,” the tall one, Theodora Randolph, says. “Dear boy, you have a girl. You are courting. I have prayed to God for this moment.”

Auntie Theodora grabs me in a headlock and shakes me like a sack. “You are finally over the broken heart Eveline Gray gave you.”

This pronouncement stings, but I have no time to grouse. She slings me to Telma Smith, my Tantie Telma. “Let the boy go, Theodora. He needs to breathe.”

Stroking my arm as if I’m a kitten, Tantie Telma says, “Oh, dear boy, this is an answer to prayer. We have prayed and fasted for someone to come along.”

I can’t say anything. This is humiliating. These two act as if I’m nothing without a wife. Taking my time to build my practice and improve myself to be better prepared for the next wifely candidate is a tragedy to them.

“Tantie Telma and Auntie Theodora.” My hidden accent appears, loud and proud. “ Stan ex to me, dou dou darling .”

Tantie Telma looks impressed since I mimic what she often says, wanting me to stand next to her, sweet little darling .

Auntie Theodora must be in a good mood. She hugs me again. “Funny man.”

Her cohort, my actual aunt, Telma, pushes her out of the way and embraces me. “I’m so glad you have morals. I heard de man say mistress.” She pounds her chest. “That stabbed meh right here. I didn’t know how to save you from the evil of your ways.”

“I guess mindin’ your business is not a t’ing,” says Auntie Theodora. “Men, but a proper girl to court.” Tantie Telma smashes my head to her bosom. “Right, Stephen?”

“Of course not. I’d not dishonor—”

Scarlett’s laughter is all I hear. She’s trying to make it sound manly, but I can tell she’s moments aways from crying happy tears. “No, he’s courting a proper woman, but she’s very shy.”

Auntie Theodora jerks me to her and leads me to Scarlett. “And who is this young man? We haven’t seen him before.”

Overwhelmed by the scent of my aunties’ dueling perfumes, I can’t answer before Scarlett. “Scotland,” she says. “Mr. Carew has been showing me around. Treats me like family.”

Tantie Telma grabs her hand and squeezes. “I his mama’s sister, Telma Smith. That’s my friend and an auntie to Stephen, Mrs. Theodora Randolph.”

If they give Scarlett a bear hug, that coal-black cosmetic will go everywhere. I break free and intercept, drawing Scarlett’s gloved hand forward, forcing them to shake.

“My distant cousin on my father’s side has just arrived and is getting used to the climate—”

“And social graces.” Auntie Theodora doesn’t look impressed.

“Sorry, ma’am,” Scarlett says. “But I introduced Mr. Carew to his future wife. That is, if he’s ready to propose.”

Oh, she has jokes. Scarlett doesn’t even realize that it is we who have to marry, not some imagined woman. “I can’t propose,” I say, and give her the evilest of eyes. “Not until I bring the lady in question to meet my aunties and de community.”

“You hear that, Telma? This boy has good manners.” Theodora casts a skeptical squint at Scarlett. “You have to bring her around soon. How about Friday?”

Panic.

If they see Scarlett after seeing Scotland, they will know they’ve been deceived. Come on, Carew, under all de ole talk, I need to get to a serious topic. “Tantie Telma, I need to come by and check on Maryanne. How is she?”

“Less pain this morning. Deh baby will be here soon.” My aunt does a little circle dance, her gown of bright blue floats about the hem. A matching scarf is woven in her tresses. “We can’t wait. First ones are often difficult. Stephen, can you tell if it’s going to be a boy?”

“One cannot.” I shake my head. “That’s superstition and an old wives’ tales.”

“Who you calling old?” Auntie Theodora points her finger at me.

Scarlett steps forward. “How is your daughter carrying the baby? High or low?”

“Maryanne is carrying low. That belly wanna touch the ground.”

Scarlett lifts her hands. “Is her stomach wide?” She spreads her arms and mimics the shape of a wide pregnant abdomen. Then she does the same but rounding her hands vertically. “Or is her stomach high?”

Both the aunties say, “A high hill bump.”

Tantie Telma squints at Scarlett. “What does that mean? Do you have an opinion of her health? Are you a physician, too?”

“Studying, ma’am. And according to medieval folklore, I suspect the young woman will have a boy. It’s just an old wives’ tale as Carew says, but I believe old wives have knowledge.”

Scarlett, dressed as a man, talks about a woman giving birth and predicting the sex via the wisdom of old women. There’s a joke in there. “Well, tell Maryanne I’ll be around soon to check on her.”

“Good, Stephen. My girl is strong, but there’s nothing like having another set of eyes on her.” The tension in Tantie Telma’s face eases. Then she looks at me as if I’m hiding something.

“Stephen, tell us of your girl.” Auntie Theodora glares at me as if she’s daring me to interrupt her. Like I’d try. “Tell us more of this woman. Who is she?”

“He’s caught the eye of a very beautiful, wealthy young woman.” Scarlett’s voice sounds deeper. She could pass for one of the braggarts we sat with at White’s, Lord Lange or Lord Flanders. “I hear she’s a true diamond of the first water .”

Yes, Scarlett Wilcox is loyal and brilliant. I think back to that fiery aurora-red gown she wore at Torrance’s last ball. Goodness, so pretty. A diamond, even if its waters are the Thames.

Both women seem to settle and smile from ear to ear. I smile, too. Scarlett fits most of the criteria I have been looking for—not demure, not quiet, but born of pedigree, an impeccable dresser when she wants to be, and yes, beautiful. Above all, she is loyal. Madame Rosebud’s proved her to be wonderfully loyal.

“Stephen, I knew you would not disappoint me.” Tantie Telma puts her full attention on Scarlett. “Tell me, where is this girl from?”

The girl should stop digging that hole deeper, so I step in. “Jamaica,” I say. “Her parents are from Jamaica. She was born here.”

Scarlett nods. “Yes, Jamaican roots.”

The aunties seem happy, but just before I bow and drag Scarlett away, Auntie Theodora says, “Praise be to God. We never thought you’d get over Miss Eveline.”

“You mean the secretive Baroness Derand,” Scarlett says. Her voice echoes the tone when she read me the elopement from the paper last year.

“Scotland, Auntie Theodora introduced me and the former Miss Gray five years ago. Our timing wasn’t right. I hope the couple is very happy.”

Tantie Telma starts fanning herself. “Well, yuh haven’t heard the latest then. It’s what she gets for breaking yuh heart and wedding de Scot. No offense, Scotland.”

Scarlett dips her head. “None taken, ma’am.”

“We shouldn’t say a word.” Auntie Theodora’s cheeks darken. They highlight her burgundy carriage gown well. She looks at Tantie Telma. “Should we tell him? I don’t want to ruin him; he has a new love.”

This sounds cryptic, and like an excellent time to get Scarlett out of here. “I’m sure it can wait. Aunties—”

“He needs to know, Telma. God forbid we die tomorrow and we have dey secret.” Auntie Theodora looks like she wants to talk now.

“We haven’t met Stephen’s new girl yet. She may not be good. We know Eveline.” My aunt nods to Theodora, then stands a little straighter. “I’ll tell him.”

Scarlett’s about to laugh, and I might, too. The aunties are everything wonderful that excitable women can be.

Tantie Telma puts her hand on mine. “Stephen, Eveline’s husband has annulled her marriage in Scotland. She’s back to London. De girl has come away with her fortune. She’s single and wealthy.”

That wasn’t what I was expecting to hear. I feel terrible for Eveline. I take a breath, and under the scrutiny of these lovely ladies and Scarlett, I say, “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s terrible when marriage ends.”

These women look at me as if they expect me to dance for joy. They mean well. They’ve always been so supportive, but running back to Eveline now is ridiculous.

I’m actually happy that Scarlett’s invented an excuse, so that the matchmakers can’t try to draw me into their schemes.

Auntie Theodora frowns. “We want our young women married. And we hope it is within our community, people of Jamaica and Trinidad and Barbados who come to this land for freedom and education or to learn a trade or build a business. I hate when someone from the outside causes ruin.”

“Hush,” my aunt lightly scolds her. “We are in mixed company. And, Stephen, please don’t be mad that we’ve told your new friend about the love of your life. Eveline is so lovely. Perhaps Scotland would like to meet her.”

“No.” My words sound rushed and harsh. “Scotland travels a great deal.”

“What about the new lady, Stephen?” Auntie Theodora’s voice is low. She’s trying to be sweet. “Does she travel a lot, too?”

“Yes.” I know when I say it that I’ve just ruined the ruse. Scarlett nudges me from behind.

“Travels?” My Tantie Telma now glances at me with the gaze she offers her husband when he disappears. “You ashamed of us? She a peer’s daughter or something?”

Oh, this is not going well.

“She does travel,” Scarlett says, “but she’ll be back at week’s end. I believe she has upcoming charity work to do at Bridewell. You’re supposed to join her, Stephen, are you not?”

The little vixen for the win. I should celebrate her ability to tell falsehoods without blinking. That deserves an ice. The aunties gawk at one another.

“Sounds like a woman of substance, Telma.” Auntie Theodora clicks her fingernails. “Still, you should bring her to church. We have a special service on Friday and then a picnic at Telma’s house.”

“Fine.” I’ll have a whole week to come up with an excuse. “I’ll see if she can make it.”

“You must come, Stephen,” Auntie Theodora says, and pinches my cheek.

Tantie Telma hugs me. “Maryanne will want you to come, too. There will be so much excitement, I’ll feel better if you are there.”

“What about the fancy accoucheur ? Last time I visited, didn’t you say you hired one for Maryanne? I remember you saying he’s a colleague of the famed Sir Richard Croft, the accoucheur to Princess Charlotte, the Princess of Wales. I’m sure he’d love to come.”

My aunt looks sheepish. She doesn’t trust him, but probably hired him because it sounds regal to have one. She wraps her palm about my folded arms. “I’ll feel better if you are there. There will be cassava pone.”

Tantie Telma makes that rich dessert like my mother. “Yes, ma’am.”

Auntie Theodora glances again at Scarlett. “Scotland, you come, too. I want you to be a part of the community. And there are plenty of ladies your age. You might fancy Miss Eveline.”

I rub my chin, noting how they ignore me and have moved on to harp on the next perceived bachelor in their midst. Having a fake mistress or a fake single man about might prove useful.

A moment later, I realize I spoke too soon. Dez eyes are back on me.

“Stephen, we can’t wait to meet this new woman.” Tantie Telma smiles so big. “We must meet your new love and her people.”

“Of course.” Oh, Lord, I’ve stepped into a trap set by cassava pone and Scarlett. “Let me get Friday arranged. Come, Scotland. We are late for the lecture.”

The smile on Scarlett’s face disappears. “We must go. We’ll have seats in the back.”

Scarlett and I bow and take leave of them. We are almost to the Royal Society meeting before I can no longer hear the aunties or persuade Scarlett to stop laughing.

“Wilcox,” I say, “you laugh like a girl.”

That makes the chuckles halt. Her nose wrinkles and red paints her light cheeks. Now I laugh. Then stop when I witness men and women staring. Scarlett’s gloved hand is clasped about my arm like I’m escorting a princess.

“Sir, do you feel less faint?” I fan at her face. Judgmental people move away.

Scarlett draws her hand away and frowns. Disapproval ages her face. I feel the scold. It scalds my conscience.

“We did nothing wrong, Carew.”

“I did.” I hang my head. “I’ve been doing everything wrong. I have the kindest clients who’ve chosen to love differently. They are some of the best. People who have a reason to be wary of the ton or society have been the first to accept me as I am. I have no excuse for being a fool.”

“I guess you’re used to being a fool of one kind or another. But it’s admirable what you do, Carew, helping everyone. You are a good man. Whenever you do build your hospital, it will be grand. It will help many.”

That touches me, but I must focus. “Can I thank you for last week? Benny told me how you looked after me. You’re a good man, too, Scotland. And I’m a bad one, an often hypocritical one. Forgive me. Oh, and marry me.”

Something changes in her eyes. The jet lenses smoke a little. Then she breaks our gaze. “Anatomy awaits.”

Scarlett walks faster.

She bumps into Livingston. “Sorry, sir. Is the lecture over?”

Livingston frowns. He looks cross. “Not exactly. They have male models today. One fellow was the model for the equestrian statue for Wellington.” He folds his arms in a pouting stance. “Let’s come back next week for the naked women.”

Scarlett slips further away. “I came to learn. I shall learn something from the models.”

She steps around the earl. I chase after her but can’t stop Scarlett from going into the lecture hall. I follow and sit beside her. As a physician, there’s nothing shocking about nudity.

As a man intending to marry the woman I compromised, I’m uneasy. Yet again, I have to sit unaffected and stew while the blushing, sketching Wilcox girl gains an education on the differences of men and women’s anatomy, watching the exhibition of a naked man posing with all the endowments of a River God.