Page 15 of Hazardous to a Duke’s Heart (Lords of Hazard #1)

T ory stared out of the window for most of the ride home. Everything she’d learned this evening had stunned her. Jon and his friends—and her father, presumably, since he’d gone to Bitche, too—had tried to escape from Verdun. She still didn’t completely understand why. If life at Verdun had been such a benign existence, why try to escape?

Then again, she couldn’t trust Jon to be telling the whole truth about Verdun and what it was like. He seemed reluctant to reveal anything that might make her sad about Papa.

What he didn’t seem to realize was not knowing was worse. She imagined awful things, especially after Captain Scovell had let slip that comment about escapees being slashed to pieces. And it wasn’t just Papa she was sad about, either. Jon seemed almost desperate to put France behind him, which told her that plenty of awful things had happened there to him, too. Like his scarred hands.

But she still thought it would be better if he talked about it. She would have to press him for more information tomorrow during their lesson when they could be private, and he didn’t feel as if he had to spare his mother’s and Chloe’s feelings. She would press him now, but it had been a difficult evening for all of them, and she didn’t wish to make it harder still.

“Jon’s friends seemed to be enjoying the company of you ladies,” the duchess said, obviously well-pleased with herself. “There were other gentlemen in the theater who asked after both of you, too, although many did know of Chloe already. I made sure to tell everyone who you were, Victoria, and that you had a nice dowry. That should get things off to a grand start.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Tory said, not sure what else to say. “I did like Jon’s friends. They might be a bit unpolished, given where they’ve been all this time, but they’re both very clever and rational, and I’m sure they’ll get used to behaving like gentlemen soon enough.”

“I hope not,” Chloe said. “They’re more interesting when they’re speaking frankly.”

“My dear, have I taught you nothing?” the duchess said. “Speaking frankly isn’t a skill a lady or gentleman should foster. The rules of civility require one to hide ugly truths. How else would we all get along?”

Tory glanced at Jon, only to find him smiling indulgently even as he shook his head. No doubt he was in Chloe’s camp. But for herself, Tory was torn between Chloe’s opinion and his mother’s. Tory always thought honesty best, but she also believed in being kind, and being frank wasn’t always kind.

“Well, Lord Heathbrook said Captain Scovell was clearly quite impressed with Tory,” Chloe said, nudging Tory with a smile. “And apparently he isn’t easily impressed.”

“We are all impressed with Miss Morris,” Jon drawled, his gaze settling on her with great intensity. “She has weathered her difficult circumstances admirably.”

“I actually think the captain was more impressed with Chloe ,” Tory said. “He couldn’t take his eyes off of her all evening.”

“Oh, pish,” Chloe said. “I didn’t notice any such thing. Besides, he’s too solemn for me. I much prefer a jovial fellow like the earl.”

“And the earl would be of higher consequence as a husband,” the duchess said. “Unless the present Marquess of Glencraig dies without siring a son.”

“We’re probably getting ahead of ourselves, anyway,” Tory said. “The gentlemen only arrived in England recently. I doubt they’re hunting for wives yet.”

More was the pity. The captain would make an amiable husband for Chloe, even if he was ten years older than she. Chloe needed someone to adore her, and unless Tory was mistaken, Captain Scovell seemed as if he would.

As for herself, Tory hoped neither gentleman was interested, because she would hate to turn them down after all they’d suffered abroad. But she still was bent on starting her school, so she could take care of herself and Cyril.

“You did end up enjoying the play, didn’t you, Jon?” Chloe asked. “Despite the prison scenes?”

“It made me laugh, yes.” Jon met Tory’s gaze. “One might even say it eased my pain.”

“What pain?” the duchess asked sharply.

“Your son is just giving me grief over something I said at the play.” Tory arched an eyebrow at him. “Pay him no mind.”

“On the contrary,” Jon said, “I do enjoy a good laugh, and nothing takes me out of myself more than laughing.”

“I’m pleased to hear it,” Tory retorted.

He was in quite a mood. As usual, she didn’t know what to make of it.

“Yes, you must humor Jon if you wish to cheer him up,” the duchess said. “He was that way as a boy, too.”

They all looked at her in bewilderment. Then it dawned on Tory what the duchess was trying to say. “You mean, you must give him something to laugh at.”

“That’s what I said,” the duchess replied. “Humor him. Give him humor. You know.”

“Ohhh, of course, ” Chloe said, exchanging a look with Tory.

Thank heaven Jon sat next to the duchess because he rolled his eyes so obviously that Tory could see it even in the dim light of the interior carriage lamps. It took all her will not to laugh outright.

“That’s why I, for one, loved the play, prison scenes and all,” the duchess continued. “It amused me enormously. The songs were very entertaining, too.”

“They were, indeed,” Tory said. “They humored us all.”

That got a laugh out of Jon, which pleased her more than it should.

They arrived at the house moments later. She was relieved to finally be where she could get comfortable away from people. But when Jon helped her out as before, he bent to whisper, “I must have a word with you in the drawing room before you retire.”

She nodded. What could he be wishing to discuss?

Oh! He must be planning to tell her what the solicitor said. She definitely wanted to hear that , although she was rather surprised he hadn’t just waited until tomorrow’s lesson to tell her. And why not ask her to come into his study? Wouldn’t that be perfectly acceptable?

Ah, but if anyone overheard them in there, it might raise questions. This was between her and Jon, of course. Everyone knew about the dowry, and that was fine, but she and Jon had still managed to keep their bargain secret, which is what she preferred. Thus, when Chloe asked if Tory would come to her room when she was done changing clothes, Tory said she would be along later. That got a raised eyebrow from Chloe, but Tory didn’t care.

As the duchess and Chloe climbed the stairs, Tory wandered into the drawing room oh so casually. Jon entered a short while later.

He gestured to two cozy chairs by the fireplace, where no fire had been lit on the excessively warm day. The fireplace was as far away from the door as possible, so that was good. It would give them a bit of privacy.

“Would you like some sherry?” he asked.

“I would, thank you.”

He poured her a glass and then poured one for himself. When he handed hers to her, she said, “I thought you weren’t much of a sherry drinker.”

With a shrug, he took the chair next to hers. “I figured I’d better become one if I want to be part of Society.”

She took a fortifying sip, then smiled brightly. “I assume this is about your visit to Father’s solicitor.”

Jon’s eyes went wide, and his expression clearly said he hadn’t expected that.

“Is it not?” she asked, her heart pounding. “Weren’t you able to go?”

He let out a ragged breath. “Yes, I did go. Everything went smoothly. He was . . . er . . . a bit cautious about the clause involving giving me discretion in the matter of what’s to be done with the money, but he said he would consult with a colleague and determine if such a clause was enforceable. Although he did agree with me that you would be better off marrying.”

As a bitter disappointment settled in her chest, a sigh escaped her. “Of course he did. He’s a man, isn’t he?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Men always agree on the subject of women marrying.”

Jon swallowed the rest of his sherry in one gulp, then rose to go pour himself another glass. “My mother agreed you should marry. She’s not a man.”

“She wouldn’t gainsay her son, the duke.” Then, realizing how ungrateful she must sound, she added, “Forgive me. I appreciate everything that you and your mother are doing for me. Truly, I do. I’m just not sure it will get you what you want.”

He faced her with a frown. “And what is that?”

“Me off your hands.” She stared down into her glass.

“We are not trying to get you off our hands,” he said so sharply that her head snapped up. He was staring at her with an unreadable expression. “I’m not, in any case.” He sipped some sherry. “And as far as Mother is concerned, you could stay with Chloe forever as long as Chloe finds a husband.”

“I should think Chloe’s husband would have something to say about that.”

He strolled toward her. “It won’t come to that. I daresay you’ll have an offer by the end of this Season.”

“Oh?” She rose to face him. She didn’t like him looming over her for such an important discussion. “Are you an expert at divination now?”

He swallowed some sherry. “No, but I’m not blind. I could see how the men in the theater were looking at you. That was enough to realize you will easily attract a husband.”

“I don’t want a husband!” She planted her hands on her hips. “Why can’t you get that through your thick head?”

“Because it’s unfathomable,” he said in a guttural voice. “You deserve a mate, one who will adore you and take care of you and make sure you never want for anything.”

Are you offering? The words were on her lips but died there unsaid. He wasn’t offering or he would have done so when he was kissing and caressing her earlier.

The sudden silence between them teemed with the unspoken. His stare was a mixture of desire and pure male pride, and she felt such a palpable need to be in his arms that she was sure he could feel it thrum in the air. He took a step forward, and she thought for certain he would take her in his arms again and kiss her senseless. She wanted him to.

Then he seemed to catch himself. “That is not what I brought you in here to discuss, however.”

She dragged in a steadying breath. Of course he had caught himself. She was not a fitting bride for a duke by any means. “What did you wish to talk about?”

He ran his fingers through his hair in an uncharacteristic motion of frustration for him. It reminded her he was out of sorts in this new world.

“I have to suspend our sculpting lessons for a while,” he said.

Anger smoldered in her stomach. “You’re reneging on your part of our bargain.”

“No,” he said hastily. “I’m merely postponing the lessons, I swear. But my meetings this week have shown me I must take hold of my responsibilities to the dukedom before it all runs away from me.” He began to pace. “Apparently, Alban didn’t do a damned—a single thing during his last year as duke.”

She folded her arms over her waist. “I could have told you that. He started out well, especially since your father had left things in perfectly good order, or so I was told. But over time, Alban got bored and left most of the work to various managers. He primarily spent his days at his club, when he wasn’t riding to hounds in the country or going with Aubrey to the stews. That pair did nothing useful, even when your mother was at her wit’s end.”

His expression cleared. “Then you understand why I must do this. There are mountains of papers at the accountants’ office, not to mention urgent documents to be gone over with the land agent. Tomorrow, I’m meeting with the estate managers from all the properties. Oh, and next week, I’ve a fellow détenu coming here to look at my engraved print collection with an eye toward evaluating them for insurance purposes.”

“Well, that sounds important,” she said frostily.

He shot her a sharp glance before turning to stare at the cold fireplace. “Actually . . . the man needed work. He’s an engraver by trade, so that was all I could think of to offer. Also . . . well . . . I hope you don’t mind, but when he said Morris mentioned that your mother was an engraver, I thought you might know of some printshops looking to hire engravers. I told him I’d ask.”

He was trying to help someone? Now she felt awful for her snide remark.

He faced her with an imploring look. “Beasley has a wife and children. They’re not doing well. None of the détenus are unless they had family positions to return to.”

That softened her even more. “Oh, dear, of course, I’ll help however I can. If you wish, I can take care of discussing the engravings with him.”

“That would be wonderful, thank you. He’s also bringing me a list of détenus who could use work, and I told him I’d see if I could find places for them at the estates or . . . somewhere.”

“That’s very kind of you,” she said. “I’m sure they will appreciate it.”

Scrubbing his face with his hand, he said, “I’ll be honest with you, Tory. I’m overwhelmed by all that needs to be done.” He must have seen the pity in her expression, for he went rigid. “But I do wish to continue the sculpting lessons eventually, although I’m not sure there’s any point. I can already tell that you know your business and you’re good at teaching.”

“Thank you,” she said, wary again. “Yet you still think I should marry rather than pursue a profession I would love.”

“Yes, I do.” He hesitated as if thinking through some idea. “But if, after you’ve gone through the end of the Season, you don’t have any offers you wish to accept . . .” He dragged in a heavy breath. “I will consider giving you the five thousand pounds to fund your school.”

She blinked. “Truly?” Then the words fully registered, and she narrowed her gaze on him. “What do you mean, ‘consider’?”

“Just what I said. You’ll have to convince me that it’s a workable proposition, present me with reports on your plans . . .”

“Yes, yes, I can do all of that!” she said eagerly. “I even found a place to lease that’s perfect as a location for it.”

He frowned. “You did?”

“I chose it before you even arrived home. I keep checking to see if they’ve leased it out, but no one else seems to have taken it yet.”

“Ah.”

When that was all he said, she said, “Thank you, Jon.”

“I haven’t agreed to the scheme,” he warned.

“I know. But thank you for keeping an open mind about it.”

Jon nodded. “You will still keep attending social affairs with Mother and Chloe, won’t you?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes. Although you’ll soon see it’s pointless.”

“I doubt that,” he said softly. “Now go on before I’m tempted to change my mind. Chloe’s waiting for you.”

With a quick grin, she hurried out the door. She was halfway up the stairs before she realized that if they weren’t having sculpting lessons anymore, she wouldn’t get to question him further about how her father had fractured his thigh.

Oh, well, it wasn’t as if he was going anywhere. She could always ask him at dinner or some other social affair. After all, it sounded as if she had plenty more of those to come. But she would endure all of them gladly if in the end, she got to have her school.