Page 49 of Her Duke By Accident
“So, you did get into an argument with the duchess?”
“How could you have known?”
Mr. Livingston shrugged. “Poor Renfield locked himself up in the garden shed till he heard you storm off. That chap’s a real gossip.”
Matthew allowed himself a chuckle as the footman brought the carriage up to the stairs. “I don’t plan on discussing my marital affairs with you, Mr. Livingston,” he said while walking down.
“I had no doubt,” the butler called after him.
The duke climbed into the carriage, and watched Mr. Livingston wait at the stairs till he disappeared round the corner. He breathed a sigh once alone, staring out of the window and waiting for the dread to leave his chest.
Lew’s and Crake’s was exactly what Matthew expected it to be. The maroon painted building led into a wide room with stairs and levels, where aristocratic men gambled savings away and drank their burning drinks. Most gentlemen he came in contact with through business and social gatherings were there that evening, all of whom recognized him within a second.
Matthew steered clear of some, especially those who had sent him letters and were still awaiting a reply. Upon one of the levels, behind the gambling tables and across the room from the bar, there was a solitary round table that did not yet house anyone. Matthew skirted by the crowd, requested a brandy from the barman, and took his seat behind the ruckus.
Instead of the barman delivering the drink, it was a familiar face who sauntered up to him.
“Your Grace!”
Matthew stood, his lips pressed together as he recognized the gentlemen. “Lord Danvers,” he said, shaking the man’s hand. “Good evening to you.”
The baron set down the duke’s drink in front of him, taking his own seat at the table. “How peculiar is it that I see you here,” Lord Danvers said. “First Lady Tollock’s ball, and now here? You’re becoming quite the socialite, aren’t you?”
Matthew bristled at the man’s ease. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“What brings you out, then?”
“A moment away,” he muttered.
Lord Danvers laughed loudly. “Is it the married life, Your Grace? Not all we thought it to be, right?”
“Are you married, Danvers?”
“Heavens, no,” he replied with a huff. “Been on the hunt for two years now.”
“Only two years?”
Lord Danvers took a swig of his drink. “Never really fancied the idea of being tied down to a stiff woman who only followed the voice of her mama. And the bachelor life had been treating me quite well.”
“Until?”
He sighed. “Until my money took a dip. Now it’s time to secure a wealthy bride, one whose dowry will put my family at ease.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard,” Matthew said.
“Right,” Lord Danvers mused. “Wasn’t hard at all for you, now was it?”
The duke eyed the man.
“Don’t get me wrong,” the baron continued. “I try not to listen to the rumbles of the ton too much. You know most of the gossip is just rumors meant to rile up the marriage pool. There was quite a chatter after Lady Tollock’s first ball of the Season, though.”
“What kind of chatter?”
“That of your impending marriage, Your Grace,” he replied. “Well, of course, it isn’t impending anymore.” The baron gave him a toothy smile. “How are the nuptials treating you?”
Matthew sighed. “As well as they treat any man, I suppose.”
“The Caneys have always been a kind family,” Lord Danvers went on. “My father did quite a bit of business with the late marquess before it took a turn.”
