Page 15 of The Seductive Love of a Lady
‘Jemima,’ Marlow’s voice beckoned from across the room.
Drew looked up. The men had split up and were joining their wives.
The girl on Mary’s lap slid off and ran to Marlow, with a bright smile. ‘Papa.’ She did not look at all scared of her father, despite the fact he had just barked at her.
He bent and picked her up, balancing her bottom on one forearm. She lifted her doll, saying something. He answered her, his free hand stroking her dark curls.
Drew looked away. He had glimpsed a bond that must hold between Mary and her father, too – years ago it would have been Mary in his arms.
No wonder Marlow had been so angry when Drew stole her away without so much as a by-your-leave.
Drew glanced about the room, as Mary talked to her aunt. His gaze collided with the Duchess of Pembroke’s. She sat in a chair on his left, scarcely a yard away.
She looked at one of the older girls. ‘Helen, dear, please offer people some of the cakes, would you?’
The girl, one of Marlow’s, Drew would guess, and therefore another of Mary’s sisters, did as she was asked.
In his family’s home, that would have been one of the servants’ tasks, but perhaps the children in this room were taught humility.
‘I am pleased you came today.’
The Duchess’s words made his muscles jump. If he had been holding his teacup, the liquid would have been in his lap. He looked at her but could not think of a word to say.
‘You mustn’t let my father-in-law or John put you off. If you prove your loyalty to Mary they will mellow.’
He did not care about them, but he had insulted her, he owed her an apology. ‘Your Grace, I appreciate your…’What?He began again. ‘I ought to… that is… I am sorry that I?—’
She waved his words away. ‘That is in the past, Lord Framlington,’ she said, then stood up and walked away.
Did I upset her?His gaze followed her as she made her way to Pembroke, who was talking with the Earl of Barrington. Pembroke’s arm lay about the Duchess’s shoulders. He said something. She nodded. Then Pembroke looked at Drew, his gaze hardening with judgement.
Drew looked away, anger prickling.
Mary’s father deposited Jemima on his wife’s lap and kissed the child. When he straightened, as if sensing Drew’s observation, he looked Drew’s way. His expression hardened too. Then he looked at Mary.
‘Mary, may I speak with you a moment?’Alone. He did not say the last word but his voice did, and Mary heard it, because she pressed a palm on Drew’s thigh and stood.
Her father raised a hand, directing her towards a window seat on the opposite side of the room.
Cut off from her, Drew felt as isolated as he had as a child.
The sofa cushion beside him stirred. ‘Forgive me, I should introduce myself, I am Mary’s Aunt Jane, Lord Barrington’s wife.’
He knew.
A movement on the window seat caught his attention. Mary’s father touched a bruise on Mary’s throat. It was only small, it had been left by Drew’s fervent kisses last night.
‘Mary is precious to us,’ Lady Barrington said. ‘Your marriage has shocked us all.’
He looked at her. ‘It did not shock Mary. It was her choice. A choice she is old enough to make.’
‘Yes. She is also a very kind and loving young lady. We hoped the right husband would give that back to her.’
‘The right husband… Not me then?’ Defiance sharpened his voice.
Was this the plot the men had been hatching in the corner? Remove Mary and send a woman to threaten him, so he would feel unable to defend himself. Clever.
‘It could be you,’ she answered. ‘We shall see. I hope it is you, for Mary’s sake.’
