Page 33 of My Secret Duke
According to Gabriel, Charles had bowed out of their expedition, claiming he had business to attend to, and although Ivo thought that was a wise move, he couldn’t help noting Justina’s long face. As he had suspected, the girl’s hopes had already been raised by Charles’s careless attentions, and he’d be surprised if Gabriel had not noticed and raised the matter with his best friend.
They were passing through woods, and the conversation melded into the sounds of nature. Birds twittered, and the breeze stirred the leaves on the ancient trees. It was all very pleasant, unlike his thoughts. He wasn’tsure whether he was angry, insulted, or discomforted by Charles’s dressing-down. Unwelcome as it had been, it had given him food for thought.
At the heart of his discomposure was the knowledge that the man was right. He had added to Olivia’s disgrace. And yet would she have kissed him like that if she did not like him?
I want you too.
She had said that, and now the memory of her soft lips beneath his, and the warmth of her body molded to his, made him shift uncomfortably in his saddle. He desired her, there was no doubt about that. He knew what desire felt like. But this was more than a mere physical attraction, because whenever they were together it feltright, and he could not understand why she did not admit to feeling it too. And then he remembered how clear-sighted she had been when she’d told Ivo that life with him was not what she wanted. How marrying a prince would benefit her far more, certainly financially but also how it would secure her future. She had looked at Ivo’s character and prospects and rejected him. How could she be so passionate and imprudent on the one hand, and so cool and pragmatic on the other? And why in God’s name was he thinking about her when he had said he would not!
“Not far now!” Gabriel called as they began to ascend the track to the lookout spot. The woods were left behind, and the countryside opened up. Adelina had just commented that soon they may be able to glimpse the sea, when there was a shout behind them. The vehicles and horses came to a halt, and heads turned.
A rider was galloping toward them, and Ivo frowned when he recognized Charles Wickley. Had he decided to join the party after all? Surely this seemed rather dramatic.
Charles brought his mount closer to Ivo, and now he addressed him formally. “Your Grace. Your mother has sent me. You are wanted at Whitmont. Immediately.”
Ivo stared at him in confusion, ignoring the questions being thrown at them. “Is someone ill?” Ivo asked. Despite the sun, he felt a sudden chill at the thought.
“Your mother has received a message from your butler.” Charles reached into his waistcoat, pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, and handed it across.
What on earth…?Viscountess Monteith demanded to know what was happening as Ivo unfolded the single sheet, but he concentrated on the message. He heard Lexy ask him what was wrong, and Adelina’s reply that it must be something urgent.
Ivo, Lieutenant Harrison and his men are camping at Whitmont, and Carlyon says he is threatening to turn the house upside down! You need to return home immediately and put a stop to it. Carlyon says that although he has locked and bolted the doors, he is not sure he can keep them out much longer.
His heart was jumping, and his blood pumping, but there was nothing in his calm demeanor to show it. The revenue officer and his men were at Whitmont, nosing about, and there could only be one reason for it. He crumpled the paper into a ball and squeezed it in his fist. The smile he gave to the others was as near to genuine as he could manage. “Nothing to worry about,” he said. “Just some tedious matter I need to see to at home. I’ll have to leave immediately and forgo the pleasure of our picnic. My apologies.”
Despite his best intentions, his gaze passed over the surprised and curious faces, and paused at Olivia. She looked as concerned as the others and also a little… disappointed? There was no time to reflect on that, becausehis sisters and the viscountess were demanding to know what had happened at home, and once again, he assured them it was nothing to worry about.
“Do not let this spoil your day,” he said. And to the others, “I apologize for leaving so abruptly.”
As he kicked his mount into a gallop, heading back the way he’d just come, his mind was already turning over the questions to be answered: Why were Lieutenant Harrison and his men demanding to search his house? What did they expect to find? Whatwouldthey find?
It wasn’t until he had almost reached Grantham that he noticed Charles had not stayed behind with the others, but instead had accompanied him back. Perhaps he had even spoken once or twice, but Ivo hadn’t heard him, being too deep in his own thoughts.
“Is this what I think it is?” Charles was serious, with none of the usual laughter in his eyes.
Ivo shot him a glance. “You read the message then?”
“Of course.” That eyebrow again. “If you are arrested, then I will be next. I am coming with you to Whitmont.”
“Won’t that raise Harrison’s suspicions?”
“Why? They don’t know I run a gambling club in London, do they? I will say we are friends. You never know, Northam, you may be in need of a friend if the revenue officers find what they’re looking for.”
Ivo opened his mouth to refuse the offer—more of a fait accompli—only to change his mind. He wouldn’t admit it aloud, but hewasrelieved to have the other man’s company. Ivo may have some issues with Charles, not least his parentage, but knowing he would be there, by his side, when he faced Harrison, was strangely comforting.
Chapter Fifteen
Once they had arrived at the lookout site, the servants set up the picnic in a sheltered dip on the hillside. The meal was served, and afterward, the guests reclined comfortably on blankets and cushions. Even the viscountess was persuaded to lounge a little. Now she was half dozing while the others conversed quietly together.
The view from the lookout was beautiful. Olivia had grown up at Grantham, but today, it felt as if she was seeing this place through new eyes and therefore appreciating it more. She regarded the green slopes, where white and purple flowers peeked out from the grass, while the woods that bordered the Grantham estate were far below them. The sprawl of the grand house was plain to see, with its many chimneys, and from here, one would never guess how desperately in need of repair her home was.
Yes, she admitted to herself, it was beautiful, and yet, for some reason she preferred not to delve into, the view lost its magic because Ivo wasn’t here. How did one man’s absence dull her pleasure in the day?
Vivienne’s voice brought her back to the picnic. “Roberta was desperate to come with us.” She had tucked her stockinged feet beneath her skirts, and still looked very elegant. “I had to promise her all sorts of things to pacify her in case she followed us despite the dowager’s strictures. I am still rather worried that I’ll see her puffing up this hill toward us. Earlier, when Charles caught us up, I thought for a moment it was Roberta.”
Gabriel gave her a fond smile as he reached to take her hand in his, playing with her fingers. “You are very good with her,” he said, and his dark eyes were warm as they lingered on hers.
“It’s not difficult to empathize. I remember what it was like to be young and longing to do all sorts of exciting things.”
