When a Duke Loves a Governess (Unlikely Duchesses #3) - Olivia Drake Page 0,95
and Tessa each taking a sleeve, they managed to restore the duke to a semblance of decency. His face looked pale, his jaw tight with pain, but at least he was covered. Since his one arm was useless, Tessa tied the gold tasseled sash for him.
The valet retreated into the dressing room while she straightened up to face Lord Marbury. A thunderous glower on his wrinkled features, Marbury was leaning on his cane like an aging lion about to roar. She drew a gilt chair closer. “Pray, sir, won’t you sit down?”
The marquess levered himself onto the seat and glared at Carlin. “This is an outrage. My granddaughter is not your physician.”
“No one would dispute that,” Carlin said blandly. “She’s a lady with an admirable compassion for the injured, for which I am most grateful.”
Tessa seated herself on an ottoman and attempted a demure look. “The doctor was delayed, milord. Since I was with His Grace when he was shot, I could scarcely abandon him.”
“What’s that? You were with him when he was shot?” The marquess fixed Carlin with a gimlet stare. “What sort of havey-cavey household is this, Duke? Roebuck babbled some nonsense about a circus, but I daresay the truth is that you were engaged in a duel. I won’t have my granddaughter endangered by rakes and rattles.”
“I am neither a rake nor a rattle, and you will be pleased to learn that Roebuck did not lead you astray.” Carlin proceeded to explain how he had taken Tessa and Sophy to Astley’s Amphitheatre for his daughter’s birthday when he’d been struck by a stray bullet during one of the performances.
The marquess harrumphed. “That does not excuse your shabby conduct here. If word gets out that Tessa was in your bedchamber, her reputation will be ruined. Any story we devise to explain her background will be in grave jeopardy.”
“Jiggs has been present the entire time,” Carlin assured him. “Please know that I have the utmost respect for Miss James. And perhaps it will ease your mind to learn that I intend to pay my addresses to her.”
Tessa sucked in a breath. He must not lead her grandfather astray with such talk. “That is a private matter—”
“Forgive me, darling, but your grandfather deserves an explanation,” Carlin broke in, the gleam in his eyes urging her to play along. “Although nothing between us is settled as yet, surely he has a right to know that my intentions are honorable.” He shifted his gaze back to the marquess. “Lord Marbury, will you be so kind as to allow me to pay court to your granddaughter?”
Lord Marbury’s anger vanished in a twinkling. A look of beatific approval came over his wrinkled face. “So a betrothal is in the works, eh? Well, that does shed a different light on matters. Still, you ought not to have Tessa here in your bedchamber.”
“It was the pain of my injury that made me overlook the proprieties. But your support will help to quiet any wagging tongues.”
“The gossipmongers won’t dare to prate in my presence,” Lord Marbury stated, thumping his cane on the carpet. “You may be certain I shall put a swift end to any slander.”
Tessa had heard enough. “Milord,” she said urgently, “you must not mistake the situation. I have not agreed to this courtship.”
The marquess leaned over to pat her hand. “My dear, you will soon come to realize what an honor it is to chosen as bride by the head of such a venerable family. Once Carlin has recovered, he and I shall discuss the marriage settlement. You will not find me a skinflint, I assure you.”
“Settlement? I’ve asked nothing of you beyond a modest loan to open a millinery shop.”
“Bah, ladies must never dirty their hands with trade. You may purchase all the bonnets you please with the pin money Carlin will provide you.”
Her further protests fell on deaf ears. As Marbury launched into a homily about a grand alliance between two of the oldest houses in England, Tessa stewed over Carlin’s maneuvering of the situation. Perhaps he’d taken her solicitousness toward him as a sign that she had softened her opposition to the match. She burned to set him straight, yet the lines of pain around his mouth, the clenching of his teeth whenever he shifted position, stirred a reluctance in her to scold him in his present condition.
She was relieved when Lady Victor swooped like a black cloud into the bedchamber, bringing the sharp scent of the vinaigrette flask clutched in