A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,83
before. If there’s anything I can do…” His words trailed to nothing.
Christian shrugged slightly. “My half brother received all three dowries, and I speculate he spent the money on racing. I have my solicitor looking for the remnants of it if any exists. Even if I don’t find it, I’ll make the marriage worth your while.”
Lost in his thoughts, Grayson stared at the floor.
The earl stood with the help of his cane, then with some stiffness, walked to stare out a window.
Out of the corner of his eye, Christian noticed the earl gently tapping the foot of his good leg on the thick carpet. The movement reminded Christian of one a predator would make before it attacked.
“I wasn’t aware of the situation,” Sykeston said without any emotion in his voice. “If I’d found your brother while he was still alive, I would have challenged him, then killed him … without regard to you.”
Christian’s blood ran cold. Rumor had it the earl had challenged his deceased sister’s husband over her death. There were no formal enquiries as Sykeston had friends in high places. If he had challenged Meri, his brother would have faced certain death on a dueling field. “What exactly is your relationship with Miss Lysander?”
Sykeston stood silent a moment longer before answering. “She is … was a family friend.”
No one said a word.
“Would you marry her?” Christian asked quietly. “She’s about to give birth. She’s staying at Lady Meriwether’s home along with Miss Howell.”
“Why don’t you marry her?” Sykeston turned and stared at Christian.
The truth was, when Christian thought of a wife, he imagined Katherine.
“She didn’t ask me.” Christian lowered his voice. “She wants to marry you. She asked if I would approach you. If you can’t bring yourself to marry her, I understand, but I promised Constance I would speak with you.”
“After all these years,” Sykeston murmured. For minutes, he stared out the window.
Whatever history Sykeston and Constance shared, it had to have been something rare. The earl never expressed any interest in marriage, women, or society in general.
“What about my heir?” Sykeston asked as he turned toward Christian.
“You could marry Constance by special license after she gives birth. If the babe is a girl, you can claim her as your own and say she was born after the marriage. If it’s a boy, then we’ll deal with the consequences. I’ll pay for the child’s expenses.”
“But society will think that I cuckolded your brother.”
“Perhaps,” Christian answered. “They’ll know he left her shortly after the marriage.” He leaned forward and let the glass dangle from his fingers as he captured Sykeston’s gaze. “More than likely, they’ll think you came to comfort her, and you and she developed a tendre for each other.”
The earl offered a lifted brow. “Me?” He waved his hand down his injured leg. “If they believe that, then they’re more ignorant than I give them credit for.”
“Constance said you were old friends.” Christian stood and locked his gaze with the earl’s. “Why wouldn’t people believe you both desired this marriage?”
Sykeston turned back to the window. The simple fact the earl hadn’t dismissed his suggestion outright gave him hope.
“I’m asking a tremendous favor, so anything I can do to help you personally is worth it to me.” Christian refilled his glass and took another sip.
Sykeston still stood by the window, completely ignoring what he’d said.
Christian walked to his side and placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder to garner his attention. “I’ll replace her lost dowry. Will that help?”
The earl shook his head slightly as if coming out of dream. “I don’t need the money. I’ll marry her”—the earl dropped his voice—“before the babe is born.”
Christian offered his hand, and the earl shook it.
“I must return to Portsmouth for some urgent business,” Sykeston said.
“She may give birth any day now.” Christian released the earl’s hand.
“I’ll hurry.” Without another word, the earl turned and slowly walked from the room. Once he reached the marbled hallway, the tap of his cane faded slowly out of earshot.
“He’s in a mood this evening.” Grayson’s gaze followed the earl’s slow gait. “He was off his game when he arrived. He hates these social events. I’ll leave with him.” The marquess nodded at Christian, then followed the earl.
Christian released a breath, then relaxed his shoulders for the first time this evening.
It was done.
Chapter Eighteen
“Here we are.” Kat opened the door to the boutique and escorted Mr. Edwin Sherman, the Secretary to the First Lady of the Bedchamber, into Greer’s Emporium. The shop was