The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham, #1)(54)

She turned sharply in surprise. "You do not like the duke?"

"I did not say that," Jack replied. But of course they both knew that he had.

"How long do you stay at Belgrave?" she asked.

He smiled. "Eager to be rid of me, Lady Amelia?"

"Of course not. I saw the servants moving trunks about. I thought perhaps they were yours."

He fought to keep his expression even. He did not know why he was surprised that the old biddy had already begun to pack. "I imagine they belong to the dowager," he replied.

"Is she going somewhere?"

He almost laughed at the hopeful expression on her face. "Ireland," he said absently, before it occurred to him that perhaps this woman of all people ought not to be let in on the plans.

Or maybe she was the one person who truly ought to be told. She certainly deserved to know. She deserved a sainthood, in his opinion, if indeed she planned to go through with her marriage to Wyndham.

He could not imagine anything less pleasant than spending one's life with such an arrogant prig.

And then, as if summoned by his thoughts, the arrogant prig appeared.

"Amelia."

Wyndham was standing in the doorway in all his ducal splendor. Save for the lovely eye, Jack thought with some satisfaction. It was even gorier than the evening before.

"Your grace," she replied.

"How lovely to see you," Wyndham said once he had joined them. "I see that you have met our guest."

"Yes," Lady Amelia said, "Mr. Audley is quite diverting."

"Quite," Wyndham said. Jack thought he looked as if he had just eaten a radish.

Jack had always hated radishes.

"I came to see Grace," Lady Amelia said.

"Yes, of course," Wyndham replied.

"Alas," Jack put in, enjoying the awkwardness of the exchange, "I found her first."

Wyndham's response was pure icy disdain. Jack smiled in return, convinced that would irritate him far more than anything he could have said.

"I found him, actually," Lady Amelia said. "I saw him in the hall. I thought he was you."

"Astounding, isn't it?" Jack murmured. He turned to Lady Amelia. "We are nothing alike."

"No," Wyndham said sharply, "we are not."

"What do you think, Miss Eversleigh?" Jack asked, rising to his feet. It seemed he was the only one who had noticed that she had entered the room. "Do the duke and I share any traits?"

Grace's lips parted for a full second before she spoke. "I'm afraid I do not know you well enough to be an accurate judge."

"Well said, Miss Eversleigh," he replied, offering her a nod of compliment. "May I infer, then, that you know the duke quite well?"

"I have worked for his grandmother for five years. During that time I have been fortunate enough to learn something of his character."

"Lady Amelia," Wyndham said, clearly eager to cut short the conversation, "may I escort you home?"

"Of course," she said.

"So soon?" Jack murmured, just to make trouble.

"My family will be expecting me," Lady Amelia said, even though she had not made any indication of this before Wyndham had offered to remove her.

"We will leave right now, then," Wyndham said. His fiancee took his arm and stood.

"Er, your grace!"

Jack turned immediately at the sound of Grace's voice. "If I might have a word with you," she said from her position near the door, "before you, er, depart. Please."

Wyndham excused himself and followed her into the hall. They were still visible from the drawing room, although it was difficult - indeed impossible - to glean their conversation.

"Whatever can they be discussing?" Jack said to Lady Amelia.

"I am sure I have no idea," she bit off.

"Nor I," he said, keeping his voice light and breezy. Just for contrast. Life was infinitely more entertaining that way.

And then they heard: "Ireland!"

That was Wyndham, and rather loud, too. Jack leaned forward to get a better view, but the duke took Grace's arm and steered her out of sight. And earshot.

"We have our answer," Jack murmured.

"He can't be upset that his grandmother is leaving the country," Lady Amelia said. "I would think he'd be planning a celebration."

"I rather think Miss Eversleigh has informed him that his grandmother intends that he accompany her."

"To Ireland?" Amelia shook her head. "Oh, you must be mistaken."

He shrugged, feigning indifference. "Perhaps. I am but a newcomer here."

And then she launched into quite the most ambitious speech:

"Aside from the fact that I cannot imagine why the dowager would wish to go to Ireland - not that I wouldn't like to see your beautiful country, but it does not seem in character for the dowager, whom I have heard speak disparagingly of Northumberland, the Lake District, and indeed all of Scotland..." She paused, presumably to breathe. "Ireland seems a bit of a stretch for her."

He nodded, since it seemed expected.

"But really, it makes no sense that she would wish for his grace to accompany her. They do not care for each other's company."