Page 88 of Forever Her Bachelor

Pippa stepped forward, greeting the woman who stood, her clothes oddly snug on her curvy body. If her purpose was to disguise herself, He thought it was near impossible. “Jessie, this is my husband, the Duke of St. Clara. St. Clara this is Miss Lewis.”

“I know who he is, and I won’t allow him to see Maggie.” Jessie walked around the desk, crossing her arms over her chest. “Your father made it clear that neither Maggie nor Peter was wanted in your world a long time ago. Why are you here now?”

He stopped listening at the sound of his brother’s name.

Peter.

His brother. He had a brother out in the world, another living relative. After losing Amelia so abruptly years earlier, he had thought he was alone, but he wasn’t. He had Pippa, his niece, Emily, and now a brother.

Chauncey took in her protective stance and lack of emotion and knew immediately that she was aware of everything his father had done. “I’m not my father. I want to speak with Maggie and meet my brother… P-Peter.” He couldn’t hide the emotion in his voice and was thankful that Pippa was by his side, holding on to his arm as if her life depended on it.

Jessie Lewis surveyed him, and he felt as if he were a child again, standing in front of his father being chastised for one thing or another.

Finally, after what seemed like ages to him, she looked over to her sister and nodded.

He exhaled. If Maggie wanted nothing to do with him, he would understand. But he would offer them his support, and he would know his brother. Chauncey would be there for Peter and his mother.

“Thank you, Jessie,” Pippa said, giving the woman a kind smile.

“For you, I’ll give him a chance. I know like Bea, ya’ could never hurt anyone.” She looked from Pippa to Chauncey.

“No, she wouldn’t,” he agreed, looking down at his wife.

“You? I don’t know. I just know you married a fine woman, and the stories Maggie told me stories about the old duke.” Jessie unfolded her arms, bracing herself on the desk. She wore men’s breeches, shirt, and waistcoat. “If you hurt Maggie, Peter, or Miss Price?—”

“Her Grace.” He corrected, not caring if he offended the woman. His wife was no longer Miss Price, she was the Duchess of St. Clara, and everyone would know it soon enough.

“Her Grace. If you hurt any of them, you’ll have to answer to me, and I don’t like dandies at all.” She leaned forward, piercing him with an intense gaze.

Her power was that of a man, and he could see how she instilled fear in a person.

Chauncey shrugged, tired of being threatened by everyone. “That would be my second threat in two months.” He chuckled, finding it a bit amusing. “I would never hurt my wife. She’s my entire heart and soul.”

A sudden intake of breath alerted him that he had stunned his wife. He turned to her, wanting to pull her to him and kissher. They hadn’t been intimate since Archer, and he regretted his behavior. Swallowing his desire, he continued addressing Jessie Lewis. “As for my brother and his mother, I only want what’s best for them.”

Before Jessie could answer, Miss Lewis entered with Maggie and a perfect replica of Chauncey and his father, only he had red hair.

Peter.

In truth, he had not known what to expect when he and Pippa had entered the orphanage. But there he was: red hair like Maggie, but his blue eyes, nose, mouth, and face was all like Ludlow Bennett. Chauncey’s heart swelled, and he wanted to know his brother, to give him a secure life and guidance.

It was up to Chauncey to ensure that Peter never turned out to be like their father, and he promised himself that he would not fail.

“We’ll leave you lot to it then,” Jessie said, leading her sister out of the room.

The silence in the room was near suffocating as everyone waited for someone to speak.

Maggie walked to the other side of the small office, leading Peter deeper into the room. “I see you found us,” Maggie said as she closed the door behind them.

“My wife thought she had seen you here, and she was correct.” Chauncey couldn’t take his eyes off his brother. “Hello, Peter, I’m your brother.”

“I know who you are. Ma told me I had a duke for a brother.” His mouth was a thin line as his eyes turned into untrusting slits.

Maggie turned to Pippa. “I knew you would recognize me here after I learned of your connection with Beatrice.” Maggie swallowed, her eyes staring into his wife’s. “You must hate me after what I did to you, to both of you.”

“No, Maggie.” Pippa stepped forward, taking Maggie’s free hand. “We know the old duke forced you tell me those things. We know the truth.”

Shaking her head, Maggie tilted her head back briefly before continuing. “I saw how much my lies hurt you that day, and I’m sorry for not being strong enough.” Maggie squeezed Pippa’s hand, rocking it back and forth in hers.