Page 74 of Love and Other Disasters

Laura raised her chin. Eyes flashing defiance at her husband as he looked down on her without smiling or saying a single word of welcome.

That battle of wills might have gone on forever had the duke not begun coughing. That diverted Nash’s attention immediately away from his wife. Sophie saw Laura gulp and take a deep breath to steady herself. Was she afraid of her husband’s temper? She did not move away if she was, though. She kept her attention on him, not the duke.

Sophie glanced at Jasper. “What do we do now?”

He shrugged. “Offer tea?”

She nodded and called out. “My lady, would you care to come inside and take tea with the children?”

Laura met her gaze, and after a moment’s consideration, inclined her head regally. “I would like that very much. You can tell me how long you and Jasper have been engaged?”

The duke paused his coughing, which may not have been genuine after all, and glanced their way. His eyes narrowed and his expression changed to one of utter bewilderment. “Engaged?”

Jasper brought Sophie’s hand up to his lips to kiss. “Isn’t it wonderful news, brother? I hadn’t a chance to tell you about us with everything else going on.”

The duke glanced sideways at Nash to see how he was taking the news, and then back at her. A slow smile spread across his face, and it seemed genuine. “Actually, it is wonderful news,” he said eventually, straightening at last. “And it better explains your sudden resignation, too.”

He laughed, but Lord Nash just stood there, immobilized by shock it seemed until Laura walked past him to place a kiss on Jasper’s cheek and offered her congratulations. Then Nash twitched. His hand clenched at his side. His face slowly turned red.

Sophie grew alarmed that he was about to say something indelicate about the unexpected match they’d made. Yet he remained silent and finally looked away.

Laura turned her gaze on Jasper. “Be good to her, brother dear.”

“Oh, I will be so, so good,” he promised with a teasing wink for Sophie that made her laugh. She knew just how good he could be. He offered Laura his other arm. “Now about that tea, sister.”

Laura nodded and linked arms with him. “Yes, tea and something for the children to eat, too.”

“Of course,” Jasper promised, and then looked at Ravenswood. “Your grace we will be in the morning room.”

“The drawing room, if you please,” he suggested instead. “We’ll all go in together now.”

“I’ll join you all shortly,” Sophie whispered, disengaging herself from Jasper.

She had a few words to say to Lord Nash in private first.

Lord Nash made a sound as Laura walked off toward the palace, carrying her daughter. The children rushed after them, offering to show her the way which, of course, she must already know. The duke did not immediately move to follow them but spoke to Lord Nash in a flurry of she whispers she didn’t want to understand at all.

Sophie glanced over her shoulder to see Jasper and Laura disappear into the palace, and when she turned back, the duke was standing in front of her.

“Give him a minute,” Ravensworth whispered. “Nash did not know about Isabelle.”

But Sophie was done taking orders and strode to meet her former employer. “You had no right to keep my correspondence hidden from me. Those letters were precious to me and the only link I still had to my child.”

Nash lowered his head. “I’m sorry. I thought to protect you.”

“Oh I can easily guess what you thought. Marry me and your money worries might disappear one day, too.”

His head jerked up then. “No. I liked you. I really, truly liked you. Laura and I were near strangers to each other until the day we married.”

She wasn’t sure she believed him, but it didn’t matter anymore. “We will never speak of your proposal or the misplacement of my letters again, Nash. I am going to marry your brother and be happy. He suits me far better than you ever could.”

Lord Nash winced. “I believe you.”

“Good. Now, you will go inside to your wife and children this very minute, my lord. Make peace with Laura and be a better father to your children, too.”

He seemed taken about with her ordering him about for a moment and then his shoulders sagged. “How can I face her again?”

Sophie felt a moment of compassion for the man, but also exasperation. He had a long way to go if he wanted to be a better man or husband. “Go. To. Her. It is never too late to right a wrong.”