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“They are very well-suited, in every aspect,” the Dowager Duchess said. “Just like his father and I. But we did not love each other. I’ve always wondered how that would have changed my life.”
“Do you, Your Grace?”
She smiled sadly. “I feel that I can breathe, now,” she replied in a whisper.
Selina was distracted, wondering who else could see. Her only relief was when it was announced that the carriages would be brought around.
The Duke bid her cousin goodbye. He gave Leah a hand up and into the carriage. Then, he turned to Selina, offering her his hand. Their eyes met. Selina knew that it wasn’t like this, for everyone. Where one look from him sent chills running over her arms again. She placed her hand in his. He held it for a moment, helping her up into the carriage.
Then, he was gone, the door slamming shut, and the carriage pulling off. She gazed through the window, her eyes on his figure—lit up by torchlight, growing smaller as she went farther away.
* * *
When the party from Gillingham Manor returned home, Reuben headed straight up to his room, leaving Jasper alone in the gallery with his mother.
She was standing in front of his father’s picture, staring up at it, thoughtfully.
“He was such a forceful presence,” she commented. Even in the portrait, his father cut a severe figure. When painted, he had been about Jasper’s age. There were similarities between him and his father—the hair, the shape of his face—but he’d gotten his mother’s eyes.
“Yes, he was.”
She turned to him, looking up at him. She placed a hand on his cheek like she had when he was a child, “You’re not at all like him, you know.”
“I know.”
“He did what was proper,” she said. “But I hope that you’ll do what is right, my son.”
“Whatever can you mean, mother?”
“I saw how you looked tonight,” she said. “You’re not happy.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Very,” she replied. “But I also noticed that Lady Selina was unhappy, too.”
“I don’t want to cause a scandal,” he said. “I—”
She took his hands in hers. “Whatever you decide, I will support you. But what I will not support is you ruining Lady Leah’s life. If you know that you won’t be happy, then don’t drag her into it.”
He smiled at her. “Thank you, Mother.”
“Of course, my son,” she said.
“I’m just not sure how to do it.”
“It’ll come to you.” She sighed, glancing once more at the portrait of his father. “Goodnight, Jasper.”
“Goodnight, Mother,” he replied. He remained where he was, listening as her footsteps faded in the distance. He stared up at his father’s familiar face.
He was exhausted. The evening had dragged on, and he’d had a full dinner and several drinks. His limbs ached for bed.
Footsteps, walking briskly, sounded in the hall. He turned to find Sotheby nearly running toward him.
“Your Grace,” he said, his voice urgent.
“Yes, Sotheby?” he asked, knowing exactly what news he brought.
“Quick, Your Grace,” he said. “There’s been another robbery—this time—this time, Lady Langley was murdered.”
