Jane Lark - The Scandalous Love of a Duke

“Studying,” Phillip answered. “I’m a qualified barrister now.”

John’s attention turned. He was so well trained to play ducal host it was instinctual. “Congratulations.” He met Phillip’s gaze. This must be Phillip’s reason for attending, to use their old friendship to increase his clientele. Everyone here had a reason. God, I have become a cynic .

“My firm is Boscombe and Parkin.”

And you hope I’ll use them so you’ll progress… Aloud John said, “Parkin? I have heard of them.”

John had been close to Phillip long ago. Their friendship had made life bearable in John’s later childhood and youth, Phillip’s company had been the one concession allowed when John had visited his grandfather. Beyond their friendship, life had been all about learning discipline and developing the mind. “Do you live in town?”

Phillip nodded. “Perhaps we could meet? I’ll give Finch my address.”

John was not inclined to socialise with men who thought to gain something by it. He was tired to the bones of this ingratiating behaviour already and he had a lifetime of it to live. “Perhaps … ” John echoed with no commitment.

“I’d like to hear your travelling tales,” Phillip continued, chatting as though their friendship had not ended seven years before.

“I have thousands but I would not wish to bore you.” John’s gaze strayed to Kate again. “And you Katherine?”

She reddened and opened her mouth as if to reply but said nothing.

John felt like laughing, she looked so unsettled by him. Yet her discomfort gave him hope that his attraction might be reciprocated?

“She’s been busy. Katherine has started a Sunday School in Ashford,” Mary answered for her.

Katherine’s blush deepened.

He was certain it was his presence which was making her colour up so beautifully. “That is noble of you, Katherine. Is there a husband who supports this venture?”

Her cheeks flushed with even brighter colour. Then she said in a low voice, “I am not wed.” Her pitch said the idea was absurd.

John felt a flare light inside him. Hope. But that was ridiculous, what it meant was she was innocent and untouchable. Hands off you villain . He felt like laughing again, at his own arrogant desire.

Playing the gallant, he took her hand once more and pressed another kiss upon it. “More fool the men who have passed you by.”

“She has had numerous offers. She turns them all away,” Phillip interjected, apparently oblivious to John’s flirtation.

John did not think Katherine was so blind. Her eyes held his as he let her hand fall, full of questions.

The girl was a mile beneath his rank. She would know there was nothing serious in it, which meant she was wondering why. “There is nothing wrong with being choosy, Katherine. I commend you.” He smiled, telling her without words she need not fear him.

She smiled suddenly, in reply, and it glimmered in her azure-blue eyes.

“Are you staying in town?” Mary asked.

Katherine’s gaze swung to his sister and John realised he had forgotten the others were even there for a moment.

“No. Phillip brought me into town. And we should be going. Phillip?” She glanced at her brother, who nodded agreement.

“But you have not met Harry and George,” Eleanor cried. “You must meet them … ” In barely a moment all the women were gone, and John was left alone with Phillip.

John felt as though the world had grown colder, but instinctively he filled the quietness with words, setting his glass down on a side table. “How come she is not wed?”

He and Phillip both looked at Katherine.

John could see her awkwardness again.

She was out of place amongst his guests and she felt it. But her self-awareness was refreshing.

It seemed his taste had not only turned to blonde, but timid too. He was interested despite himself, even though he really should not be, yet there was nothing wrong with indulging curiosity.

“The right offer has never come along, or rather the right man, I think. My mother’s patience is wearing thin, and my father wishes her settled, after all there is Jennifer waiting in the wings. I believe Kate does not know what to do with herself. She does not wish to simply take anyone.”

John looked at Phillip. Jennifer was Phillip’s youngest sister. She was six years younger than Katherine. But Katherine was adopted. She was no blood relation to Phillip.

“Katherine is not happy then?” As children, Katherine had invariably seemed insecure, while Jennifer was simply spoilt.

Phillip glanced at John. “The schooling brings her happiness, but I do not think she is content. You knew Kate as well as I did. She has not changed.”

John’s gaze returned to her and he sensed untapped depths trapped within that timid shell. Depths it would be a pleasure exploring.

“There is something I’d hoped to ask you… if we…” Phillip’s pitch had dropped and the tone implied begging.

John felt his body stiffen in denial as he looked across. “Go on, ask me now?” Devil take it , he would have preferred to be proven wrong about Phillip’s intentions. Was there no one in London who did not want something from him?

Phillip turned fully and his gaze ran over John’s expression, showing uncertainty. “This is a bit distasteful to discuss at a funeral…”

John felt himself scowl. “ Nevertheless …” His voice was hard and deep. Just have out with it and let’s be done.

“Boscombe did some business for the old Duke a while ago and, well, it was unsuccessful, but the thing is Boscombe was never paid.”

“So you have come here to chase me for it?” John’s voice turned gruff.

“No, no . I decided to come and told Boscombe I would need the time. He asked if I would mention it…”

John swallowed, fighting impatience. What he wished to do was toss his former friend out for this audacity. “Why not simply contact Harvey?” Harvey was the Duke of Pembroke’s man of business, everything was done through him.

“The business did not come from Harvey. It came from Mr Wareham, from Pembroke Place.”

“Wareham?” John’s surprise sounded in his voice. “Why would Wareham … ?” Wareham was the Estate manager at Pembroke Place. “But he should refer everything through Harvey…” And Harvey had managed John’s grandfather’s affairs for decades?

“I thought it strange too. I haven’t a clue. Even more odd is that the job was reclaiming a loan. Boscombe couldn’t get it back. That’s the only reason I agreed to ask you. Anyway, I’m sure you don’t really wish to talk of this today. I’ll send the details to Harvey. He can look at it and advise you.”

“Yes,” John searched Phillip’s gaze for ill-intent but could see nothing false.

“I’ve put you out of sorts by asking.” He had. “I really did not come to ask you that, John, I only came to see you…”

John shrugged, his judgement was still undecided, but the fact that Phillip had read that expression only aggravated further.

Too many people here knew John too well. He really ought to learn his grandfather’s lessons and cease showing any emotion at all. “Let Harvey have the details and your address.”

“Yes,” Phillip held John’s gaze as though he might say more, like making another foolish suggestion they meet, but he did not. “I ought to take Kate home.”

John merely nodded and then Phillip walked away.

John’s eyes returned to Katherine.

She must have felt his gaze as she’d done earlier, because she looked back.

He smiled.

She coloured up, smiling uncertainly, and then looked away.

~

Katherine clung to the edge of Phillip’s curricle with one hand, as her other held the warm rug over her lap while he drove like a madman to get her home before dark.