Page 74 of Distracting the Duke

Clara swallowed uncomfortably and took a large sip of her tea. With their mama dead, it was she, as the older married sister, who should have warned Kate about lovemaking and procreation…and the perfidy of selfish men. If she’d done her duty, no man would ever have been able to entice Kate, unknowingly, into a sexual liaison.

“That one terrible time, when kisses and touches were no longer enough for him, he was very drunk. He hurt me, Clara. I didn’t like what he started doing to me, and told him he was going too far. Then he hit me and threatened worse if I didn’t comply. I truly believe that drink turned him into a madman. I can’t begin to imagine what you must have suffered during your marriage to that monster.”

Clara took a deep breath and confessed, “He hit and threatened me, too. When I failed to please him, I was locked in a rodent-infested cupboard until he chose to let me out again. Sometimes he forgot I was there, and I had to beg the servants to go and fetch him or wake him up, since no one else had keys. Oh, Kate, I was so miserable and ashamed!”

Her sister looked horrified. “And I’ll wager he made you think it was all your fault, as he did me.” Tears sprang to Kate’s eyes. “If only I’d known what you were going through! But you never said a word, and he lied about you so convincingly, said you didn’t love him, that you neglected him. He told me you’d taken a lover of your own, which was why he found solace in drink. And with me.” Tears trickled down her cheeks.

It gradually dawned on Clara that, had Kate not been there to comfort the “neglected” Lord Tinniswood, she would probably have suffered even more degradation at his hands.

Oh, this was too awful! Why could she not have seen it?

Why had she kept it all a secret from those who truly loved her?

Kate said with lowered eyes, “But I thank God every day for Georgie. He’s the sweetest little boy. You’ll love him, if you’re prepared to see him.”

Clara smiled. “He is, indeed, beautiful and, mercifully, looks nothing like the Tinniswood family. I have no experience of small children, but it can’t have been easy all on your own.”

“He’s a joy, but yes, very tiring. I wish I could have afforded a nurse. No, I don’t complain. I’ve been so grateful for the money you and Philip send. I don’t know what we would have done without it.”

“Most of it has come from the allowance Simon’s parents left me, so it’s fitting it should go to his only child. Such a pity both died before they could see Georgie.”

“They were good people, I understand. I don’t know what they did to deserve such a reprobate for a son.”

Clara shook her head. “Neither do I. I’m sure he had a perfectly good upbringing, with a good deal more love than—”

She stopped before she could mention Marcus and his past. There was still much to think about, to resolve, before bringing up the subject of their relationship.

Instead she asked, “How do you like the cottage? Is Compton a pretty village?”

“Very pretty, but I have been so lonely. Even though the people thereabouts think me a respectable young widow, none of them have truly befriended me.”

“I’m sure they will, in time.”

Kate grimaced unhappily. “It’s very hard to be accepted when you’re a newcomer. It’s so quiet there, as well, with hardly any social occasions to break the boredom.”

Clara tipped her head at her sister’s puzzling attitude. “But you have your independence. You aren’t under the control of any man.” It sounded perfect to Clara. And she had a child of her own. The ideal situation.

“Oh, but I wish I were! I would far rather have a husband and a father for little Georgie. Just to have someone else there at bedtime, and there again when you wake in the morning, making you feel safe and loved. Someone to cook for, someone to laugh and have grown-up conversations with, someone with whom to share the village gossip.”

Clara gazed at her sister, an odd feeling of confusion twisting around her heart. “But…”

“I envy you, that you are still part of this world.” Kate gazed around at Marcus’s splendid drawing room. “And that you have a wonderful, understanding fiancé like the duke. I would not recommend living as a spinster, I really wouldn’t.”

Chapter Forty-One

Marcus spent some time in the kitchen with Georgie, then took him as close to the edge of the lake as he dared and taught him how to throw broken-up crusts to the ornamental waterfowl which were meant to be there, and the wild mallards, which weren’t.

When the crusts ran out, he took Georgie off to see his Uncle Philip and Aunt Sarah, and to meet Snetty and Ellie. Snetty was engaged in teaching Ellie how to play croquet, and they made a handsome pair. If he was not mistaken, his friend was totally smitten with the innocent, good-hearted beauty. It was just as well Marcus had changed direction in matters of the heart, or he would have had to suffer Snetty endlessly flirting with his new duchess each time they visited each other.

No, Clara was the perfect choice for him. She would take no nonsense, she would work hard in her role as duchess and mistress of his estates, and would be a credit to him when she officiated at balls and the like. Everyone would admire her statuesque beauty and elegance.

She was clever and amusing and held her own opinions. They would no doubt argue over many matters, but at least it would all be reasoned argument rather than female pettishness. He knew he could trust her tastes in furnishings and decor, and that Wroxham in particular would benefit from her critical eye.

Aside from these considerations, and the fierce desire of his body to be in possession of hers, he loved her. Which meant he could overlook her faults, and not feel the need to change her.

If only she could love him, approve of him, and show him the tenderness he’d never received from his own family. That would be heaven indeed.

Neither Clara nor Kate had yet appeared to join their party, and it was making him anxious. Hefting Georgie onto his hip, he excused himself to his guests, and said, “Shall we go and see what Mama is doing, Georgie? It’s about time she gave you some of her attention, isn’t it?”