A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,7

said reluctantly. “I can give them lodging for a day or two.” With Willa beaming in her direction, Katherine entered the office.

The two women glanced up when she and Willa crossed the threshold. “Hello, I’m Katherine, Lady Meriwether Vareck.”

The pregnant woman nodded then gracefully stood. “I … suppose it’s correct to say I’m Miss Constance Lysander. Please call me Constance.” She turned to the third woman in the room. “This is Miss Blythe Howell.”

Katherine stole a glance at Willa, who shrugged.

Miss Howell, the sister of a viscount, had ordered a fortune of bedding from Katherine months ago. After sending it to Miss Howell in Cumberland, Katherine’s invoice had never been paid.

Miss Howell nodded. Keeping her gaze glued to the floor, she stood briefly, then returned to her seat.

“Lady Meriwether, Miss Howell and I were discussing what we’re going to do about our … shared situation.” A gentle smile fell across Constance’s face, indicating the woman was no threat to Katherine.

Miss Howell eventually lifted her gaze to Katherine’s. “One of the clerks mentioned you own Greer’s Emporium.”

“I do,” Kat answered.

“Then you and I are acquainted,” Miss Howell said.

“We are. Though we’ve never met in person, I recognize your name.” Katherine sat in a chair facing the other two women, and Willa followed suit. “It seems our husband was rather busy this past year.”

“I could kill the bounder,” Constance muttered.

Miss Howell’s eyes grew round.

“What?” Constance challenged. “Look what he did to me. I’m due to deliver in weeks, and today I discovered my marriage is a fraud and the man I thought I married stole my dowry?”

“Perhaps it’s a misunderstanding,” Miss Howell said.

Constance glared at her.

“How could it be a misunderstanding?” Katherine asked quietly. “We were all called here for the reading of the man’s personal will.”

“You’re right.” Miss Howell sighed gently as she rubbed her forehead. “I don’t want to admit that Meri did this to me”—she glanced at Constance and Katherine—“or you. I gather from Mr. Hanes’s clerks that Meri had a different one assigned to each of us. It wasn’t until today that Mr. Hanes realized we were all three married to him.” Her gaze locked on Katherine. “I’m in your debt. I owe you money. Meri married me four months ago, then left several weeks after. He didn’t give me any allowance. I don’t have a farthing to my name, I’m afraid.” Her gaze dipped to her hands for a moment. “I’m trying to make sense of what has happened here.”

Katherine’s heart softened at the woman’s words. “Miss Howell, I feel the same as you, wondering how this could happen. Your brother didn’t come with you today?”

“St. John? He couldn’t be bothered. He only cares about what horse is favored to win the next race,” she scoffed softly. “If horses and gambling aren’t involved, St. John isn’t interested. He’s in Austria as we speak, looking to add to his stables.” She shook her head as a tear slipped down her cheek, which she quickly brushed away. “I shouldn’t have spoken so freely. Please, I beg of you not to say a word to anyone.”

“I won’t say anything,” Katherine answered.

“Nor I. We’ll all be ruined if this gets out,” Constance agreed. “My dowry is not accessible either.” She leaned back in her chair, rubbed her belly, and stretched as if her back hurt. “I overheard one of the clerks say the money isn’t available. Whatever that means. I only hope it means it’ll be here soon.”

Miss Howell nodded.

“Do you have anywhere to stay?” Katherine asked.

Both women shook their heads.

“I thought perhaps the duke would offer lodging in his home.” Constance shifted in her chair once again.

“I’d move us into my brother’s townhome, but he didn’t open it this season.” Miss Howell frowned. “Constance, you look uncomfortable.”

She nodded. “I normally rest in the afternoon. But first, we must find somewhere to stay this evening. I can’t travel back to Portsmouth today, and neither can you return north.”

“The truth is we can’t return home until we discover what’s happened to our money,” Miss Howell said.

Willa cleared her throat and shot a glance Katherine’s way.

“Right,” Katherine agreed at her companion’s gentle nudging. “First things first. You’re welcome to stay at my house.” As the women started to protest, she held up her hand. “I insist. It’s easier for all of us. Plus, we can compare notes on how Meri hoodwinked us all.”

They all nodded in agreement.

Willa smiled at Katherine, then went to help Constance. As the two walked out of the office,