Page 33 of How to Capture a Duke

Pausing, Olivia gazed at her sister in speculation. “Don’t hold me in suspense.”

“He attends all sessions at the House of Lords and has been trying to get a bill introduced and passed that would help wounded soldiers who have returned to English soil.”

Olivia immediately thought of their butler. She’d since learned from Mrs. Ludson that Gordon had lost his leg in battle during his time in the army. “I find his support of such a bill to aid our soldiers admirable, but I wonder why he has chosen to champion it. Our butler, Gordon, was injured at Waterloo.”

“Perhaps he feels a kinship with wounded soldiers,” Ellie said.

“How so? The duke was never a soldier.”

“No, but he has difficulty speaking. Maybe his trials have made him sympathetic toward others who suffer any type of injury.”

Olivia pursed her lips as she considered her sister’s words. It would explain Tristan’s motivations. His butler was wounded. His housekeeper’s wandering eye was a condition, which would make her unemployable by nobility, no matter her skills. Olivia was slowly coming to understand her husband more and more.

“Tell me about the bill,” Olivia said.

“A strong and influential opponent to the Soldiers Bill is Lord Ware,” Ellie said.

“I met Lady Ware at the theater two years ago. As I recall, she’s a decade younger than her husband,” Olivia said.

Ellie nodded. “There is another as well. Lord Dumfries is a good acquaintance of Lord Ware, and the two have similar political views. They are often seen together at the coffee house across the street from Parliament after sessions discussing their political aspirations. The only difference between the two men is that Dumfries is not on amicable terms with your husband.”

Intrigued, Olivia leaned forward. “They have a past?”

“Lord Dumfries and the duke attended Eton together. Yet they are not old school friends. When they happen to be at the Raven Club on the same night, they avoid each other. Rumors are that the two men’s dislike for each other goes way back.”

Olivia mulled this over. “You said Lord Ware has influence. Do you believe that the Soldiers Bill will fail if Lord Ware continues to opposite it?”

“Most likely.”

“And that Lord Dumfries would love to see Tristan lose?”

“Guaranteed.”

Olivia bit her lower lip, piecing the rest of the story together. “I see.”

“Lady Ware prefers the roulette wheel in the back corner of the casino.”

“Then I must visit that game, too.”

“Yes, you should. I’ll be sure to send you a note when she is expected.” Ellie leaned forward, and a mischievous glint lit her blue eyes. “And I have surprising information about the lady that will be of great interest to you.”

…

“You have a visitor, Your Grace.”

“A visitor?” Olivia had just returned from the Raven Club when Gordon announced the arrival of a guest.

“Lord Jeffries, the duke’s cousin. He awaits in the drawing room.”

Ellie’s brow furrowed. “Where is the duke?”

“His Grace is not in residence. Lord Jeffries requested to meet you.”

“I see.” Only she didn’t. Trepidation traveled down her spine. She hadn’t met any of her husband’s relatives, other than his grandmother at the wedding. She’d thought it odd at the time but believed that the hasty wedding was the reason others hadn’t made the journey to the duke’s country seat in Kent.

Gordon took her pelisse, and she found herself at the entrance of the drawing room. A fair-haired man of average height and build stood looking out the window at the gardens below.

She smoothed her skirts. “Hello, my lord.”