Page 48 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Um, yes, of course,” Silas said, turning to protect his wife from the coming onslaught that was Aunt Marnie. But the old woman appeared too quickly, dressed more conservatively than a governess in full mourning.
“What is this? Why are there so many people in this house at this hour?” she snapped, no more chipper after a whole night’s rest. She squinted at Silas, her eyes widening as she recognized him. A thin smile curved her wrinkled lips. “Well, if it isn’t the Duke of Combe.”
“My apologies, my lady, but we really must be going,” Silas said, eager to be out of the old woman’s vicinity. She had always seemed fond of Silas, though no one understood why. Gavin suspected that the duke must remind his aunt of an old beau she had known in her youth, but envisioning her as a young, loving lady always seemed out of his ability to imagine. “Come, Violet.”
“Oh, but we were all going to go the shops today. Holly, Clara, Katrina, and I.”
“Is that so?” Aunt Marnie said, moving towards the sideboard. “Off to spend the house’s purse on frivolous fabrics and unseemly gowns? It’s tragic the way young people fashion themselves these days. Why, when I was a girl, full court dress required at least two petticoats!”
Silas turned to his wife, unwilling to leave her. A calm, sweet smile crossed Clara’s face.
“I’ll be fine, Silas,” she said softly. “Promise.”
Gavin was sure his friend wasn’t comfortable leaving his wife near the sharp-tongued banshee that was his aunt, but then Clara seemed determined to see her friend. Just then, Holly appeared, seeming slightly startled by how many people met her in the dining room. Gavin ignored the urgent desire to go to her but was silently emboldened when her eyes landed on him and didn’t waver.
“Goodness, so much company at this hour,” her velvety voice carried throughout the room. She noted Gavin’s dress, and her brow pinched. “Are you leaving?”
“Yes,” he said, his tone even. “To see Mr. Armstrong.”
“Oh,” she said with a tight nod. “That is a very good idea, indeed. Hopefully he will be able to help us out of this situation.”
Gavin nodded, his mood souring. Clara interrupted Gavin’s line of sight as she approached her friend with outstretched arms.
“Holly!”
“Clara!”
The duchess hugged Holly as multiple conversations seemed to break out at once. Silas edged towards the doorway, and with a last, longing look at his wife, he left, prompting Gavin to follow him.
Silas had trouble being in crowds. While his discomfort had diminished somewhat since his marriage to Clara, he still disliked being around too many people. Gavin was quick to catch him before he reached the front door, though, as a footman brought him his hat and overcoat. Silas gave Gavin a strained smile as he pulled on his coat.
“I wasn’t aware Marnie was in residence.”
“Neither was I. We only arrived last night and she was already here.”
“And I didn’t know you were married.” Gavin shrugged, unsure what to say. “A marriage by proxy? That was a right devil thing your uncle did.”
“Yes, well, that is why I’m hoping to catch the estate lawyer at his offices this morning.”
“Do you have plans to dissolve it?”
Gavin let a moment of silence pass before answering as his gaze dropped to the floor.
“It would be best to do so.”
When Silas didn’t respond, Gavin glanced up to see the duke staring at him with a curious expression.
“Well, it would be, wouldn’t it?” Silas finally said. “I mean, without either of your consent, the license shouldn’t hold up in court.”
“Correct.”
Another moment of silence passed, and Gavin was sure his friend was thinking something. But in the next instance, he finished putting on his hat and nodded.
“White’s then? Noon? I’ll send word to Trembley.”
“Yes, that should be fine.”
Without anything more as a goodbye, Silas left, and Gavin, uninterested in returning to the dining room, decided to send for his horse to be saddled.
