Page 48 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke (The Marlow Family Secrets #6)

John’s head swam as he climbed the stairs. Wareham had disappeared. Harvey’s men had lost him before he reached Dover and they had no idea where he was now.

Harvey had written to John as soon as he had heard, asking him to come and make a statement to a magistrate.

John had ended up presenting evidence for hours. The magistrate had made him repeat things numerous times and asked God knows how many questions as a clerk had sat next to John scribbling it all down. But now, with the help of the militia, messages had gone out to search all ports.

John looked at a clock on the landing. It was nearly midnight. It was far too late to join Katherine in bed, she would be sleeping.

A fine wedding night this was.

‘John?’ John turned and faced his stepfather who stood at the bottom of the stairs leading to the upper floors.

‘Yes?’

‘May I speak to you for a moment?’

John sighed. ‘If you wish.’

Edward led John to the family drawing room. It was empty. His mother and Mary had retired then, which meant John was probably right about Katherine.

‘Your mother is upset,’ Edward began.

Too mentally exhausted for this conversation and feeling belligerent, John answered, ‘She has no need to be, it is Katherine who has good cause. She is carrying the child.’

‘How far gone is she?’

‘Almost three months.’

There was judgement in Edward’s eyes. They both knew three months made it the night of the dinner party at Pembroke Place and Edward also knew John had not been near there since.

‘You will not be able to hide it for long.’

‘We know. I am not going to publish the marriage and leave the date obscure. There is good reason for it to have been quiet because of my mourning.’

‘You sound like your grandfather, all matter of fact.’

‘Do not preach to me, Papa, remember I know the truth about a certain parlour in a gambling den…’

‘I am not preaching,’ Edward growled in a low voice, ‘and if you dare raise that again, I might forget my principles and strike you. Besides, I simply want to say the mistake has been made and we will support Katherine.’

‘The mistake? It was not a mistake.’

‘John—’

‘I mean it, Papa, I love her. I took too long coming to the point, yes, but I had acquired a special marriage licence and I had travelled there to offer her marriage before I knew of the child.’

Edward stared, then set a hand on John’s shoulder. ‘Well, then, I am glad for you and I will tell your mother how things stand.’

John breathed out, only then realising he had been holding his breath. ‘Would you ask Mama if she will discuss with Katherine what help she needs? I would be grateful… Katherine will need help with everything if she is to be respected and find a place within society.’

His father nodded, then left.

John retired, and in his rooms he went to stand at the connecting door leading into Katherine’s chamber. His fingers settled on the door handle as he listened for any sound.

There was none.

His forehead rested against the cool solid wood.

He was making a mess of things already. His marriage was barely hours old and he had already failed her. He should have been here.

How many times in his life would his duty come before her, and would she be able to understand?