His own match, however, was somewhat lacking.
“Falling in love isn’t important to me,” he said aloud, gaze fixed out on the horizon. “I think Miss Bainbridge will be the best choice for me. She has no expectations of me, and I believe we will enhance each other’s lives to a reasonable degree.”
“Well, that’s a very logical way of looking at it,” Katherine said, sounding vaguely disappointed. “Are you going to ask her during the party?”
William bit his lip. “I don’t know. Perhaps. I suppose I shall see how the days develop. This will be a good opportunity for us to spend time together and decide whether or not we are well suited.”
“The stuff novels are made of,” Katherine commented, smiling wryly. “I wish you could fall in love with someone, brother.”
“It is not practical. I cannot afford not to marry. And I do mean that in the literal sense, Kat. This estate will sink if I cannot put some money into it, and of course I cannot get to my money until I walk down the aisle.”
She huffed. “Father tied us up neatly, did he not?”
There was another short silence, until William spoke again, a trifle uncertainly.
“Did… did you receive a letter from Father on your wedding day? Brought by the solicitor, written when he wrote up the will?”
Katherine clenched her jaw. “I did.”
“What did it say? If… if you don’t mind telling me, of course.”
Katherine sighed, shaking her head. “It was… it was odd. Almost fond.Almost. He said that he had always thought that Timothy would be a good match for me, and that shook me somewhat. How could a man I despised all of my life have known me quite so well? It was the sort of letter I could imagine him writing. Henry and Alexander got one, naturally. I believe he told Alex that he was a disappointment.”
“That sounds like Father,” William grunted. Behind them, the sound of pianoforte music drifted out into the night. He glanced over his shoulder, and saw that Alexander and Abigail were playing a duet. They were laughing, pushing at each other’s shoulders, playing wrong notes and giggling.
Something throbbed in William’s chest, something decidedly resembling jealousy. He resolutely turned his gaze away.
That kind of life is not for you,he reminded himself.Dukes do not marry to please themselves.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Katherine said, jerking him out of his thoughts. “What in the world happened to that silver locket you found, at Lady Clarissa’s party? It was months ago, I know, but you were so very taken with it. Did you keep it?”
William bridled. “I did notkeep it. I have been trying to return it to its rightful owner.”
Katherine shot him a quick, intent glance. “Did you find its owner?”
He pointedly did not meet her eye. He was tempted to tell his sister to mind her own business, but that would be quite rude. Besides, then she wouldknowthat he had something to hide. The necklace seemed to weigh heavy in his pocket, accusing him.
“I did,” he answered carelessly. “Apparently, she did try to find her locket, so I daresay she’ll be glad to have it returned.”
“Ah, well done. Are you going to send it to her, then?”
“I shall return it to her as soon as I can.”
And then this will all be over. She’ll be glad to get the locket back, and will think no more of the strange duke who kept it for all those months instead of simply giving it to a lady-friend. The duke who tracked her down like a man deranged, the duke who is turning into to a cold, cruel madman just like his father.
William cleared his throat, straightening up from where he rested his elbows on the wall.
“I suppose we ought to go back in. I think I’ll have another cup of that tea.”
Carefully avoiding his sister’s incisive gaze, he turned and hurried inside.
Chapter Four
“We’re almost there. We’re almost there!”
“Oh, dear! Gillian, have a care! Don’t bounce up and down so. You’re crushing my gown.”
Lavinia pressed herself a little tighter against the side of the carriage, trying to ignore the bickering of her mother and sister.
