Page 13 of Beyond Scandal and Desire
“No, but some gents at the club have. He made them a fortune in another venture.”
“It’s crass to discuss money,” the duchess said, from her place at her husband’s side. She appeared so small and frail next to the robust duke. She wore a pale pink gown that went well with her salt and pepper hair. “Besides, do we even know the gentleman’s family?”
“I doubt it. There’s some question as to his”—Kip cleared his throat—“legitimacy.”
The duchess appeared absolutely scandalized. “Then you should not be associating with him, much less discussing him at the dining table with two ladies present.”
Mick Trewlove was born in sin? Little wonder he had the devil’s look about him. She’d welcomed him holding her hand, kissing it, when in truth he shouldn’t have been allowed near enough to breathe the same air as she.
“It’s not as though I’m planning to invite him to dinner,” Kip said. “But he has become a man of wealth—”
“We do not associate with the immoral.”
“But is it not his mother to whom that designation should apply?” Aslyn asked. “Surely a child cannot be held accountable for his parents’ sins.”
“A child born out of wedlock is tainted.” The duchess became more agitated. “You must not associate with this man, Kip. I forbid it.”
“But—” the earl began.
“You heard your mother,” the duke said, cutting off any objections his son might have put forth. “There will be no further discussion regarding this man or this matter.”
“However, you may pray for his soul for it is certainly in need of redemption,” the duchess said. “Aslyn, how was your visit with the dressmaker?”
The abrupt change in topic had her head spinning. She glanced over at Kip who was signaling for more wine—an indication he wasn’t going to pursue his preferred avenue of conversation. They would not be discussing the more interesting Mick Trewlove. Rather she would have to entertain them with talk of silk and satin. “My new gown is coming along. I’ll return in a few days for my final fitting.”
“It would be more convenient to have the seamstress come here.”
Which was how the duchess handled it when she wanted new clothing. But Aslyn couldn’t live her life without moving beyond these walls. “It was a lovely day. I welcomed the excuse to go out.” And she’d needed to speak with Mr. Beckwith. She wondered if he’d made the delivery she’d requested.
The conversation turned toward the balls and affairs she and Kip would attend. Never was a ball hosted here. She wondered if the duchess missed them. Or did a time come when they no longer held any appeal, when they were attended out of duty rather than enjoyment?
Finally dinner came to an end.
“Worsted, Lady Aslyn and I shall have tea in the parlor,” the duchess announced to the butler. The duke stood and pulled out her chair. Aslyn rose and Kip came to his feet.
“Kip and I shall have our port in the library,” Hedley said, “then we’ll meet you ladies in the parlor.”
“Actually I won’t be staying,” Kip said. “I have an appointment.”
“This time of night?” his mother asked.
Kip blushed. “It’s barely nine. Most bachelors my age have appointments this time of night.”
“I was hoping for a game of cribbage,” Aslyn said. It wasn’t fair that he could go off and do what he wanted, and she was left here with very little in the way of entertainment.
“You know how much I enjoy playing against you, but I’ve already made these plans, and there are those who are counting on me to make an appearance. Perhaps you can trounce me another time.”
She did usually win. “I’ll walk you to the door, then, shall I?”
He bowed slightly and smiled. “I would enjoy that.”
She doubted it as she was going to give him a piece of her mind.
“I’ll join you in the library,” the duchess said to the duke, and Aslyn watched them walk off, arm in arm, before turning her attention back to Kip, who was coming around the table to join her.
“Don’t scowl,” he said, offering his arm. “I got you out of drinking tea.”
She wound her arm around his. “Are you headed to Cremorne?”
