Page 85 of An Unwanted Widow for the Duke
“Will you be joining us at the fort on Saturdays? You can help us with the new watchword.”
“I can.”
“Duke,” Wilhelmina implored.
Gerard raised an eyebrow at her. She suspected that he wanted her to call him by his name when at home. She blushed, thinking about the only time she was able to.
“Hector, I will join you at the fort when I don’t have work to do,” he promised. “However, I believe you should keep your watchwords safe. It is your responsibility as the lord of the fort.”
“Thank you, Papa.” Hector’s smile was bigger this time.
“Will you have treacle pudding at your fort?” Gerard asked.
They knew the boy had a fondness for it. One night, Miss Elliot caught him sneaking some jam to add to his pudding.
“Perhaps,” Hector replied with a grin.
After supper, they would settle by the fire, with Wilhelmina reading Hector one of his chosen adventure tales. Gerard would not be too far away, a book in hand. It was a cozy atmosphere that Wilhelmina hoped to keep.
While so many things had taken a turn for the better, the ton’s attitude toward them had not changed much. Wilhelmina couldfeel people watching them whenever she and Gerard entered the room.
Of course, she knew that the whispers were only about her. It was merely the way of the ton.
As for Lady Farnmont? Even after Gerard told her to leave his wife alone, she still glared daggers at them whenever she had the chance.
“Ignore Lady Farnmont,” Gerard advised one night at a musicale, offering his wife a glass of champagne. “If she tries anything, I am here. I do believe others are seeing through her hatred. They may not openly defend you, but not everyone is on her side.”
“Duke, I am capable of handling a glare or two,” Wilhelmina reassured him, patting his lapels.
He smiled at her. It was the kind of smile that reached his eyes and banished the tiredness that seemed to be etched on his face all the time.
Her husband was handsome, but this time, he dazzled her, making her heart ache.
Everything was harmonious, even at home. Gerard now checked on her every night to see how she was doing. She knew that he didn’t like pushing her into doing something she didn’t want, but it was she who was growing impatient.
That night, she could not sleep. She sat at her writing desk and started scribbling on paper. Being Lady Silverquill was no longer a matter of survival; it had become a passion.
The adjoining door creaked open, and she turned to see Gerard standing there.
“I was wondering why you were still awake.”
“What are you doing awake?” she asked in a slightly teasing tone.
“I could not sleep,” he admitted, his voice hoarse. “Are you writing as her?”
“As Lady Silverquill? Yes, I am.”
Wilhelmina wondered if Gerard was going to ask why she was still writing the column when she was now financially secure. He didn’t.
“You already know that I started writing as her because I needed money. After Robert died, his heir moved me to the dower house, but he was not exactly generous. I understand. He also needed to make sure that his future family would be cared for.”
Gerard nodded along.
Wilhelmina wondered if he could truly empathize with the plight of poor widows like her. Didn’t he just save her from a future of drudgery and rumors?
The rumors might persist, but still…
“It began as a necessity. I had to force myself to read letters from people I don’t particularly like. Then, it became a role. I became Lady Silverquill. She has the voice—myrealvoice—that I, as Wilhelmina, could never express.”
