Page 14 of The Cursed Duke (Wayward Dukes' Alliance #19)

August 15, 1815

Denham House

St. James Place

Mayfair, England

Wallace came into the bedchamber he shared with his wife, and as he softly closed the door behind him, he grinned.

“I have news, Abigail.” He’d taken dinner at his club, and to his surprise, Steppingford was in residence, holding court with many of their friends and associates.

“Oh?” She laid the book she’d been reading on her lap, still open. “What is it?”

“I had the opportunity to speak with Steppingford tonight.” As he spoke, he shed various pieces of clothing, depositing it all on one of the leather chairs in the room.

“Steppingford was there?” Shock threaded in her voice.

“Indeed, he was.” He yanked off his cravat, quickly followed by his collar and cuffs. “And what’s more, he and his wife are removing to his Hampsteadshire country estate at the end of the month for a belated honeymoon period.”

“How lovely! When will they return to Town?”

He shrugged. “I would imagine after the Christmastide holidays. They are newlyweds, after all, and there is his mother to consider. From what I could gather, he doesn’t believe she will be long for the world and wants to be there when and if that occurs.” Once he had his shirt off, he toed off his shoes.

“That’s understandable, but I’m happy for him.” That emotion was reflected in her expression. “Does that mean his marriage is going well?”

“I’d say yes.” As soon as he had his breeches off, he made his way to the washbasin. “It’s almost scandalous how much he loves his new bride.”

“Isn’t that the outcome that we’d hoped for?”

“Of course. I’m just gobsmacked that my friends and fellow clubmates are falling into parson’s mousetrap so quickly.” He shook his head as he drew a wet length of cotton over his neck and chest, then did the same to his face, for the night was sweltering. “Does no one wish for a long courtship these days, or even a long engagement?”

“Well, to be fair, Averly was engaged to his now wife since they were both in childhood.”

“Yes, he was. Thank you.” He tossed the towel onto the side of the basin. “I wonder which of the men will be next. You know how it works. Once a few men marry, everyone else wishes to enter into that state.”

“You say that as if it’s a bad thing,” Abigail commented as he joined her on the bed. “You and I have been wed for a fair amount of time, and it’s been quite lovely after those first few years, hasn’t it?”

“It has.” If he could erase those first few years of his marriage to her, he would, for he suspected what occurred during those years would soon be the death of him. “I wouldn’t trade what we share for the world.”

She smiled at him then blew out the candle on her bedside table. The book slipped from her lap to fall on the floor with a dull thud. “Neither would I. There are many men in this world, Wallace, but you are one of the best of them.” When she snuggled into his arms, he was more than willing to indulge her with kisses and caresses.

“I don’t know about that.” He’d done his fair share of underhanded dealings over the course of his marriage, things his wife knew nothing about, and many of them in the name of keeping England safe or keeping the peace. Was he proud of them? No, he was not, but there had been no choice at the time. Would he eventually tell Abigail? . So many secrets. Which one would have the power to drive a wedge between him and the most important person in his life?

That remained to be seen.