Page 10 of Diamond of the Season (Heiress #1)

Chapter

Ten

N athaniel rose and shook his steward Malcolm's hand before gesturing for him to sit. He had not seen Malcolm for several weeks, but now that he was back in London, his steward had urgent news that could not wait.

"Malcolm, it's good to see you. What is it that's had me return from the country with such urgency?"

"Your Grace, it is good that you're back. However, this matter could not wait, and because of its delicate nature, I could not simply send the information by correspondence. I had to see you in person to avoid any miscommunication."

Malcolm's harried countenance put Nathaniel on guard, so he gave his full attention. "Tell me what has happened, and we shall discuss the matter. "

"Of course, Your Grace." Malcolm slid several papers across the table. "I have discovered, now that you're at Ravensmere, that the late duke maintained a long-term mistress in town—a woman he began seeing not long after his wife, the duchess, passed away. It has come to my attention that she lived here with the duke, unbeknownst to society. But that is not all I have uncovered."

Nathaniel rifled through the documents, noting several birth certificates. "What is all this?"

"Well, Your Grace, the duke had three daughters by his mistress. From what I can ascertain, the eldest is just eighteen, with the other two being fourteen-year-old twins. They now reside in Cheapside, where the duke purchased a house for them. Contrary to rumor, the duke was fond of the mistress and the daughters she bore him—unlike his legitimate children, one of whom is now in town for the Season."

The revelation troubled Nathaniel deeply. Lady Rosalind—a diamond if ever he had seen one—risked having her debut into society ruined if this scandal became public. How could she ever enter society knowing her father had borne three children out of wedlock? Their unforgiving society would taint not only her reputation but also that of her sisters.

"We must not utter a word of this to anyone," Nathaniel instructed. "Keep it between us until we know if the mistress intends to seek further monetary compensation as the duke's lover. If he purchased them a house, there is a good chance he left them a stipend in his will, though I do not recall that being mentioned during the reading."

"That is precisely the issue, Your Grace. I spoke to the late duke’s solicitor, and it appears he essentially had two parts to his will—one to be read out before his legitimate children and one for his illegitimate ones." Malcolm paused. "In effect, he ordered that only certain sections of his will be read to each branch of his family. The man was truly despicable."

"So Lady Rosalind and her sisters remain unaware of the others living here in London?"

"I do believe that is the case, Your Grace."

"And what of the illegitimate siblings? They must know the duke had another family in the country, and that he was a widower. Do you believe the mistress will cause any trouble for Lady Rosalind and her sisters during the Season or in the future?"

"That I cannot say, Your Grace, though I hope not. Perhaps we might consider offering a sum that would keep the mistress satisfied and quiet while Lady Rosalind finds a husband. Not that she will necessarily seek an audience with you, but we must be prepared should she do so."

"I think that is a prudent idea. I shall contemplate a sum and have it ready in case we need to act swiftly. One never knows what past lovers are capable of, especially if they believe their daughters have been slighted."

A pause fell over the room before Malcolm continued. "There is also a rumor among the household that the opulence of the house is being attributed to you, Your Grace. Many of the staff here are new—aside from the butler and housekeeper. They all left when the duke passed, uncertain of their future employment. But those who have been hired since are crediting the refurbishment of the home to your patronage."

"And why is that a concern? Let them believe what they will." Nathaniel regarded it as trivial. It mattered little who had refurbished the house.

"However, Lady Rosalind now believes that the advancements to the living arrangements were at your expense, which is not the case. They were ordered by the late duke, who wanted his mistress and the daughters she bore to live in luxury—luxury he believed they deserved."

Nathaniel absorbed these words, recalling the shabby state of the country estate: tattered window coverings, worn rugs, and cobwebbed, unused rooms. As for the children’s clothing, the duke had done them no favors by allowing them to live in squalor. If Lady Rosalind discovered that her father despised them even more than she suspected, her heart would surely break .

"The room that Lady Rosalind occupies upstairs—whose room was it before the duke’s passing? I must know where the late duke placed his priorities."

"That was the room of his eldest illegitimate daughter. Blue was her favorite color—and from what I have learned, it was also the duke's."

Nathaniel leaned back, rubbing his jaw as stubble prickled his palm. A deep sadness gripped him; the duke's daughters deserved far better. How sorry he felt for them all.

The front door opened and voices sounded in the foyer. Through his office, Nathaniel watched Lady Rosalind and Lady Smithe enter, accompanied by several footmen bearing numerous boxes from their shopping. He stood and strode from his room, smiling as he noted the bounty of purchases Lady Rosalind had made for the Season.

"Oh, Your Grace, so good of you to come see. Look at everything we have purchased for our dearest Lady Rosalind." Lady Smithe gestured toward the many boxes—too many to count.

"So your first shopping expedition was a success, it seems. Did you manage to acquire everything you hoped for to commence the Season?"

Lady Rosalind offered a quiet nod and a pleasant smile. "I believe so, Your Grace. Thank you again for attending to my needs." She curtsied briefly. "If you'll excuse me, I must write letters to my sisters. I wish for the missives to be sent today."

Lady Smithe stepped beside Nathaniel. "Of course, my dear. I shall see you at luncheon."

"Very good," Lady Rosalind replied as she ascended the stairs.

Nathaniel watched her for a moment, unease pricking his spine. "Is everything well between you and Lady Rosalind? I thought she would be far happier with her purchases today than she appears."

Lady Smithe sighed, concern etched on her features. "I suggested, during the selection of materials for her new gowns, that she choose colors more suited to a debutante. I fear I may have hurt her feelings. Lady Rosalind desired richer hues, but I overruled her, opting for pastels instead. I worry I have disappointed her."

Pastel-colored dresses might seem appropriate, yet Nathaniel believed they would not flatter his ward. With her dark hair and sun-kissed complexion, the deeper shades would suit better. They would bring out the colour of her eyes. She was a striking woman, and those tones would enhance her natural beauty, even he as a man knew that much.

"And so Lady Rosalind is upset?" he observed, disliking the thought Rosalind feeling disheartened on what should be a joyous, liberating occasion .

"Yes, she is, but trust that I have her best interests at heart, Your Grace."

Nathaniel hoped fervently that this was true. “Of course. I never doubted you.”