Page 14 of An Unwanted Widow for the Duke
Chapter Four
“Do you have any idea what might have befallen you?” Gerard demanded, striding toward his son with long, furious steps.
Fear and anxiety had given way to anger, hot and wild. He hurled questions at the strange woman but scarcely paused for her answers, his attention focused on Hector.
The Duke of Talleystone was never disordered. He prided himself on knowing what must come first, second, and last.
Yet, at that moment, order meant nothing.
He dropped to one knee before his son. Though he knew the governess and housekeeper had likely examined the child, his hands moved over Hector’s small frame, searching for any signs of harm.
The boy whimpered softly.
“Are you hurt, son? Speak to me,” Gerard urged, his voice unsteady despite himself.
“I am well, Papa,” Hector mumbled, his eyes bright with delight at seeing his father. “I am neither hurt nor frightened.”
“Then you must explain yourself.” Gerard drew back slightly, though he remained kneeling. With a restless gesture, he tugged his jacket into place. “After the incident at the party—and after the letter—you vanish? What were you doing? You knew you were confined to the house and could only leave with my permission.”
Before Hector could answer, the woman stepped forward with unexpected poise. Only then did Gerard look at her—trulylook at her.
What was a lady doing with his son?
Her hair was a soft, light brown, catching almost golden tones as it moved, and her eyes were a startling, crystalline blue.
“Pardon me, Your Grace,” she spoke calmly after curtsying, “I encountered your son nearby and thought it best to see him safely home. He asked that I bring him directly to you.”
Gerard could see that she was outwardly composed, but her hands trembled a little. Her eyes darted toward the exit.
She doesn’t want to be here.
“Is that so?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at her as he rose from the floor.
He turned to his son for confirmation.
“Yes, Papa! Lady Slyham found me on the street. I know you said I must not trust strangers, but we were close by, and I knew the way. Besides, she looked most agreeable. You will see—she is clever in many subjects and an excellent conversationalist,” Hector declared, his voice filled with admiration as he gave the lady a conspiratorial wink.
She merely blinked at him, caught off guard by his earnestness.
Gerard observed the exchange closely. Hector seemed entirely at ease with this Lady Slyham.
That in itself was intriguing.
Lady Slyham was not the sort of person he would have expected to bring his son home. Another nobleman, an elderly matron, perhaps even an officer of the watch, yes.
But a young lady? That was unusual.
Lady Slyham looked younger than him by a good decade. She was beautiful, though not in an ostentatious way. No jewels, no rouge, no fripperies; her beauty lay in simplicity. The gown she wore was plain, its colors somber, almost funereal.
Is she in mourning?
Gerard drew a long breath, then let it out slowly, striving for composure. The past few hours had shaken his equilibrium, but in truth, his entire life had been a long exercise in restraint. Hector was his only light, and tonight that light had very nearly been extinguished.
“Everyone out of the drawing room. I would like to speak with Lady Slyham. Alone.”
The governess approached Hector, putting her arms around him. “Come along, My Lord.”
“But Papa! Do I need to leave like everyone else?” he wailed.
