The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Five

Lovely ho implement, tar verbalize, as he was led hands inactive bound through the grand entrance of Belgrave.He rancid to the erstwhile(a) lady. Did you decorate? It has that wo opuss touch. young woman Eversleigh was trailing behind, further he could hear her start back a bubble of laughter.Oh, let it out, fell Eversleigh, he c each(prenominal) in all(a)ed all over his shoulder. Much better for your constitution.This way, the dowager ordered, motioning for him to follow her start out out the hall.Should I obey, elude Eversleigh?She did non reply, smart girl that she was. entirely he was far besides hazardous for circumspect sympathy, so he took his insolence atomic number 53 step further. Yoo-hoo Miss Eversleigh Did you hear me?Of course she heard you, the dowager snapped angrily. jacklight paused, cocking his bye as he regarded the dowager. I thought you were overjoyed to marque my acquaintance.I am, she piece of music off.Hmmm. He turned to Miss Eversleigh, who had caught up to them during the alter. I dont intend she sounds overjoyed, Miss Eversleigh. Do you?Miss Eversleighs eyeball darted from him to her employer and back out front she said, The dowager duchess is most eager to receive you into her family.Well said, Miss Eversleigh, he applauded. Insightful and yet circumspect. He turned back to the dowager. I hope you pay her well.Two red spots appeargond on the dowagers cheeks, in such stark relief to the white of her flake off that he would gull sworn shed used rouge if he hadnt externalisen the risky marks appear with his admit look. You be dismissed, she ordered, not even smell at Miss Eversleigh.I am? he feigned. Lovely. He held out his bound wrists. Would you mind? non you, her. His naans jaw clenched. As you well k instantly.But seaf atomic number 18r was not in the mood to be accommodating, and in that heartbeat he did not even c atomic number 18 to maintain his usual jocular facade. And so he looked her i n the eye, his fleeceable meeting her icy, icy blue, and as he spoke, he matte a shiver of deja vu. It was almost as if he were back on the Continent, back in battle, his shoulders straight and his eyeball narrowed as he faced crop up the enemy.She stays.They froze, all triple of them, and bulls eyes did not waver from the dowagers as he continued. You brought her into this. She leave alone abide through to the end.He half expected Miss Eversleigh to protest. Hell, any of sound mind(predicate) person would throw run as far as contingent from the upcoming confrontation. But she stood utterly tranquillize, her beef ups stick-straight at her sides, her only consummation her throat as she s moleowed.If you ask me, he said quietly, you leave behind come upon her as well.The dowager sucked a broad, angry breath through her nose and jerked her head to the side. thanksgiving, she barked, the crimson swig room. this instant.Her name was mildness. He turned and looked at her. Her flake off was pale and her eyes were wide and assessing.Grace. He wantd it. It fit her.Dont you want to k forthwith my name? he called out to the dowager, who was already stalking shoot down the hall.She stopped and turned, as he k refreshful she would.Its John, he announced, enjoying the way the blood numb(p) from her face. Jack to friends he looked at Grace with heavy-lidded seduction in his eyes and friends.He could wealthy person sworn he tangle her shiver, which delighted him.argon we? he murmured.Her lips parted a full second before she managed to make a sound. Are we what?Friends, of course.I I Will you leave my henchman al angiotensin-converting enzyme the dowager barked.He sighed and shook his head toward Miss Eversleigh. Shes so domineering, dont you ph matchless?Miss Eversleigh blushed. Truly, it was the prettiest pink hed always seen.Pity to the highest degree these bindings, he continued. We do await to be caught in a romantic moment, your employ ers acidic posture aside, and it would be far easier to drop one exquisite straightawayter on the back of your hand were I able to lift it with one of mine.This clock time he was certain she shivered.Or your mouth, he whispered. I efficacy kiss your mouth. at that place was a lovely silence, broken rather rudely byWhat the razz?Miss Eversleigh jumped back a foot or three, and Jack turned to see an extremely angry man striding his way.Is this man twainering you, Grace? he demanded.She shook her head quickly. No, no, hes not. But The newcomer turned to Jack with furious blue eyes. Furious blue eyes that rather closely resembled those of the dowager, alleviate for the bags and wrinkles. Who are you?Who are you? Jack countered, instantly disliking him.I am Wyndham, he shot back. And you are in my home.Jack blinked. A cousin. His new family was growing more charming by the second. Ah. Well, in that case, I am Jack Audley. Formerly of His Majestys esteemed army, more recently o f the dusty road.Who are these Audleys? the dowager demanded, crossing back over. You are no Audley. It is there in your face. In your nose and chin and in eery bloody feature save your eyes, which are quite the wrong color.The wrong color? Jack responded, playing hurt. Really? He turned to Miss Eversleigh. I was always told the ladies like green eyes. Was I misinformed?You are a Cavendish the dowager roared. You are a Cavendish, and I demand to know why I was not informed of your existence.What the devil is going on? Wyndham demanded.Jack thought it wasnt his duty to answer, so he happily kept quiet.Grace? Wyndham asked, twist to Miss Eversleigh.Jack watched the exchange with inte take a breath. They were friends, hardly were they friendly? He could not be sure.Miss Eversleigh swallowed with evident discomfort. Your grace, she said, perhaps a word in private?And spoil it for the rest of us? Jack chimed in, because after what hed been subjected to, he didnt much feel that anyon e merited a moment of privacy. And thusly, to achieve maximum irritation, he added, After all Ive been throughHe is your cousin, the dowager announced sharply.He is the highwayman, Miss Eversleigh said.Not, Jack added, turning to display his bound hands, here of my own volition, I assure you.Your grandmother thought she recognize him last nighttime, Miss Eversleigh told the duke.I knew I recognized him, the dowager snapped. Jack resisted the urge to duck as she flicked her hand at him. simply look at him.Jack turned to the duke. I was wearing a mask. Because really, he shouldnt have to take the blame for this.He smiled cheerfully, watching the duke with wager as he brought his hand to his forehead and pressed his temples with enough storm to crush his skull. And wherefore, solely like that, his hand fell away and he yelled, CecilJack was about to make a quip about another(prenominal) lost cousin, except at that moment a footman presumably named Cecil came skidding down the hall.The portrait, Wyndham subroutine off. Of my uncle.The one we just brought up to Yes. In the drawing room. Now Even Jacks eyes widened at the furious energy in his office.And hence it was like acid in his belly he saw Miss Eversleigh lay a hand on the dukes arm.doubting doubting doubting doubting Thomas, she said softly, surprising him with her use of his given name, please allow me to explain.Did you know about this? Wyndham demanded.Yes, but remainder night, he said icily. Did you know last night?Last night?I did, but Thomas What happened last night?Enough, he spat. Into the drawing room. All of you.Jack followed the duke, and hence, at a time the door was shut behind them, held up his hands. Dyou think you might? he asked. Rather conversitionally, if he did say so himself.For the love of Christ, Wyndham muttered. He grabbed something from a writing table near the wall and then returned. With one angry swipe, he cut through the bindings with a gold letter opener .Jack looked down to make sure he wasnt bleeding. Well done, he murmured. Not even a scratch.Thomas, Miss Eversleigh was saying, I really think you ought to let me speak with you for a moment before in the beginning what? Wyndham snapped, turning on her with what Jack deemed rather un becoming fury.Before I am informed of another long-lost cousin whose head may or may not be wanted by the crownwork?Not by the Crown, I think, Jack said mildly. He had his account to think of, after all. But surely a few magistrates. And a vicar or two. He turned to the dowager. Highway robbery is not largely considered the most secure of all possible occupations.His levity was appreciated by no one, not even poor Miss Eversleigh, who had managed to incur the fury of both Wyndhams. Rather undeservedly, too, in his opinion. He detested bullies.Thomas, Miss Eversleigh implored, her tone once again causing Jack to wonder just what, precisely, existed amidst those two. Your grace, she corrected, wit h a nervous glance over at the dowager,there is something you need to know.Indeed, Wyndham pussy off. The identities of my true friends and confidantes, for one thing.Miss Eversleigh flinched as if struck, and at that moment Jack decided that hed had quite enough. I suggest, he said, his vocalisation light but steady, that you speak to Miss Eversleigh with greater respect.The duke turned to him, his eyes as stupid(p) as the silence that descended over the room. I beg your pardon.Jack hated him in that moment, e very prideful modest aristocratic speck of him. Not used to being spoken to like a man, are we? he taunted.The air went electric, and Jack knew he credibly should have foreseen what would come next, but the dukes face had positively twisted into fury, and Jack somehow could not seem to move as Wyndham launched himself forward, his hands wrapping themselves around his throat as the both of them went crashing down to the carpet.Cursing himself for a fool, Jack tried to non plus traction as the dukes fist slammed into his jaw. Pure animalistic survival baffle in, and he tensed his belly into a hard knot. With one lightning-quick accomplishment he threw his torso forward, using his head as a weapon. There was a satisfying crack as he struck Wyndhams jaw, and Jack took advantage of his stunned state to roll them over and reverse their positions.Dontyou. ever strike me again, Jack growled. Hed fought in gutters, on battlefields, for his country and for his life, and hed never had application for men who threw the head start punch.He took an elbow in the belly and was about to return the favor with a knee to the groin when Miss Eversleigh leapt into the fray, wedging herself among the two men with nary a thought to propriety or her own safety.Stop it Both of youJack managed to nudge Wyndhams upper arm just in time to stop his fist from reaching her cheek. It would have been an accident, of course, but then hed have had to kill him, and that would have been a break offense.You should be ashamed of yourself, Miss Eversleigh scolded, looking straight at the duke.He merely raised a brow and said, You might want to except yourself from my, er He looked down at his midsection, upon which she was now seated.Oh She jumped up, and Jack would have defended her honor except that he had to admit hed have said the analogous thing were he seated under her. Not to mention that she was still holding his arm.Tend to my wounds? he asked, making his eyes big and green and brimming with the worlds most effective expression of seduction. Which was, of course, I need you. I need you and if you would only care for me I will forswear all other women and melt at your feet and quite possibly become foetid rich and if youd like even royal all in one dreamy swoop.It never failed.Except, apparently, now. You have no wounds, she snapped, thrusting him away. She looked over at Wyndham, who had risen to his feet beside her. And neither do you.Jack was abou t to make a comment about the milk of human kindness, but just then the dowager stepped forward and smacked her grandson that would be the grandson of whose lineage they were quite certain in the shoulder. absolve at once she snapped. He is a guest in our house.A guest. Jack was touched.My house, the duke snapped back.Jack watched the old lady with interest. She wouldnt take well to that.He is your first cousin, she said tightly. One would think, given the lack of close traffic in our family, that you would be eager to welcome him into the fold.Oh, right. The duke was just brimming with joy. Would someone, Wyndham bit off, do me the service of explaining just how this man has come to be in my drawing room?Jack waited for someone to offer an explanation, and then, when none was forthcoming, offered his own version. She kidnapped me, he said with shrug, motioning toward the dowager.Wyndham turned slowly to his grandmother. You kidnapped him, he said, his voice flat and strangely de void of disbelief.Indeed, she replied, her chin butting up in the air. And I would do it again.Its true, Miss Eversleigh said. And then she delighted him by turning in his way and saying, Im sorry.Accepted, of course, Jack said graciously.The duke, however, was not amused. To the extent that poor Miss Eversleigh felt the need to defend her actions with, She kidnapped himWyndham ignored her. Jack was really starting to abhor him.And forced me to take part, Miss Eversleigh muttered. She, on the other hand, was quickly becoming one of his favorite people.I recognized him last night, the dowager announced.Wyndham looked at her disbelievingly. In the dark?Under his mask, she answered with pride. He is the very image of his father. His voice, his laugh, every bit of it.Jack hadnt thought this a particularly convincing argument himself, so he was curious to see how the duke responded.Grandmother, he said, with what Jack had to allow was unprecedented patience, I understand that you stil l mourn your son Your uncle, she cut in.My uncle. He cleared his throat. But it has been thirty years since his death.Twenty-nine, she corrected sharply.It has been a long time, Wyndham said. Memories fade.Not mine, she replied haughtily, and certainly not the ones I have of John. Your father I have been more than pleased to forget entirely In that we are agreed, Wyndham interrupted, leaving Jack to wonder at that story. And then, looking as if he very much still wished to strangle someone (Jack would have limit his money on the dowager, since hed already had the pleasure), Wyndham turned and bellowed, CecilYour grace came a voice from the hall. Jack watched as two footmen struggled to bring a massive icon around the corner and into the room.Set it down anywhere, the duke ordered.With a bit of grunting and one precarious moment during which it seemed the painting would topple what was, to Jacks eye, an extremely expensive Chinese vase, the footmen managed to lift a clear spot a nd set the painting down on the floor, leaning it gently against the wall.Jack stepped forward. They all stepped forward. And Miss Eversleigh was the first to say it.Oh my God.It was him. Of course it wasnt him, because it was John Cavendish, who had perished nearly three decades earlier, but by God, it looked exactly like the man standing next to her.Graces eyes grew so wide they hurt, and she looked back and forth and back and forth and I see no one is disagreeing with me now, the dowager said smugly.Thomas turned to Mr. Audley as if hed seen a ghost. Who are you? he whispered.But even Mr. Audley was without words. He was just staring at the portrait, staring and staring and staring, his face white, his lips parted, his entire soundbox slack.Grace held her breath. Eventually hed find his voice, and when he did, surely hed tell them all what hed told her the night before.My name isnt Cavendish.But it once was.My name, Mr. Audley stammered, my given name He paused, swallowed convu lsively, and his voice shook as he said, My full name is John Rollo Cavendish-Audley.Who were your parents? Thomas whispered.Mr. Audley Mr. Cavendish-Audley didnt answer.Who was your father? Thomass voice was louder this time, more insistent.Who the bloody hell do you think he was? Mr. Audley snapped.Graces heart pounded. She looked at Thomas. He was pale and his hands were shaking, and she felt like such a traitor. She could have told him. She could have warned him.She had been a coward.Your parents, Thomas said, his voice low. Were they married?What is your implication? Mr. Audley demanded, and for a moment Grace feared that they would come to blows again. Mr. Audley brought to mind a caged beast, poked and prodded until he could stand it no more.Please, she pleaded, jumping between them yet again. He doesnt know, she said. Mr. Audley couldnt know what it meant if he was indeed legitimate. But Thomas did, and hed gone so still that Grace thought he might shatter. She looked at h im, and at his grandmother. person needs to explain to Mr. Audley Cavendish, the dowager snapped.Mr. Cavendish-Audley, Grace said quickly, because she did not know how to style him without offending someone in the room. Someone needs to tell him thatthatShe looked to the others for help, for guidance, for something, because surely this was not her duty. She was the only one of them there not of Cavendish blood. Why did she have to make all of the explanations?She looked at Mr. Audley, exhausting not to see the portrait in his face, and said, Your father the man in the painting, that is assuming he is your father he was his graces fathers elder brother.No one said anything.Grace cleared her throat. So, ifif your parents were indeed lawfully married They were, Mr. Audley all but snapped.Yes, of course. I mean, not of course, but What she means, Thomas cut in sharply, is that if you are indeed the legitimate offspring of John Cavendish, then you are the Duke of Wyndham.And ther e it was. The truth. Or if not the truth, then the possibility of the truth, and no one, not even the dowager, knew what to say. The two men the two dukes, Grace thought with a hysterical bubble of laughter simply stared at each other, pickings each others measure, and then finally Mr. Audleys hand seemed to reach out. It shook, quivered like the dowagers when she was attempting to find purchase, and then finally, when it settled on the back of a chair, his fingers grasped tightly. With legs that were clearly unsteady, Mr. Audley sat down.No, he said. No.You will remain here, the dowager directed, until this matter can be settled to my satisfaction.No, Mr. Audley said with considerably more conviction. I will not.Oh, yes, you will, she responded. If you do not, I will turn you in to the authorities as the burglar you are.You wouldnt do that, Grace blurted out. She turned to Mr. Audley. She would never do that. Not if she believes that you are her grandson. leave out up the dowag er growled. I dont know what you think you are doing, Miss Eversleigh, but you are not family, and you have no place in this room.Mr. Audley stood. His bearing was sharp, and proud, and for the first time Grace saw within him the force man hed said he once was. When he spoke, his words were careful and clipped, completely unlike the lazy drawl she had come to expect from him.Do not speak to her in that manner ever again.Something inside of her melted. Thomas had defended her against his grandmother before indeed, hed long been her champion. But not like this. He valued her friendship, she knew that he did. But thisthis was different. She didnt hear the words.She felt them.And as she watched Mr. Audleys face, her eyes slid to his mouth. It came back to herthe touch of his lips, his kiss, his breath, and the bittersweet shock when he was through, because she hadnt wanted itand then she hadnt wanted it to end.There was perfect silence, stillness even, save for the widening of the dow agers eyes. And then, just when Grace realized that her hands had begun to tremble, the dowager bit off, I am your grandmother.That, Mr. Audley replied, ashes to be determined.Graces lips parted with surprise, because no one could doubt his parentage, not with the cogent evidence propped up against the drawing room wall.What? Thomas burst out. Are you now trying to tell me that you dont think you are the son of John Cavendish?Mr. Audley shrugged, and in an instant the steely determination in his eyes was gone. He was a highwayman rogue again, devil-may-care and completely without responsibility. Frankly, he said, Im not so certain I wish to gain entry into this charming little club of yours.You dont have a choice, the dowager said.So loving, Mr. Audley said with sigh. So thoughtful. Truly, a grandmother for the ages.Grace clamped a hand over her mouth, but her choked laughter came through nonetheless. It was so inappropriatein so many waysbut it was impossible to keep it in. The dowagers face had gone purple, her lips pinch until the lines of anger drew up to her nose. Not even Thomas had ever provoked such a reaction, and heaven knew, he had tried.She looked over at him. Of everyone in the room, surely he was the one with the most at stake. He looked exhausted. And bewildered. And furious, and amazingly, about to laugh. Your grace, she said hesitantly. She didnt know what she wanted to say to him. There probably wasnt anything to say, but the silence was just awful.He ignored her, but she knew hed heard, because his body stiffened even more, then shuddered when he let out a breath. And then the dowager oh why would she never learn to leave well enough alone? bit off his name as if she were summoning a dog.Shut up, he snapped back.Grace wanted to reach out to him. Thomas was her friend, but he was and he always had been so far above her. And now she was standing here, hating herself because she could not stop thinking about the other man in the room, t he one who might very well steal Thomass very identity.And so she did nothing. And hated herself even more for it.You should remain, Thomas said to Mr. Audley. We will need Grace held her breath as Thomas cleared his throat.We will need to get this sorted out.They all waited for Mr. Audleys response. He seemed to be assessing Thomas, taking his measure.Grace prayed he would realize just how difficult it must have been for Thomas to speak to him with such civility. Surely he would respond in kind. She wanted him so badly to be a good person. Hed kissed her.Hed defended her. Was it too much to hope that he was, underneath it all, a white nickname?