Page 66 of Love and Other Disasters

“That could take years. What woman would agree to wait so long?”

Nash shrugged. “Mrs. Radcliffe understands the situation.”

“Radcliffe? No!” the duke gasped. “I’ll not consent to this.”

Jasper shook his head again. “She can’t marry you.”

If Sophie married anyone, he hoped it was himself.

“I see no real impediment,” Nash continued. “After I have secured a divorce, I’ll promote a maid to take her place as a governess until the boys go off to school.”

“What of Laura?”

Nash shrugged again. “What of her?”

“You’ll humiliate her.”

“Has she not done the same to me? Embarrassing me in front of my family because I did not defy Father while he lived.”

“Yes, but now Father is gone, there’s no reason not to reunite and make peace with her,” Ravenswood argued.

“She’s had enough time to come to her senses,” Nash announced and slowly got to his feet. “No. A fresh start is what I require.”

“A fresh start,” Jasper said slowly. “So, you’re courting Mrs. Radcliffe now?”

“No, no. None of that nonsense is needed with her. I know all there is to know about Mrs. Radcliffe already, to see she is the perfect choice for me. She will not require the romance you believe necessary to make a second marriage work.”

Jasper gaped. “Why the hell would you think that?”

“Because it is to be a marriage in name only. I told her so. She will have the children to care for and our protection. She will remain here in the country where she can be comfortable.”

Jasper narrowed his eyes on his brother. “Did she tell you that’s what she wants for her life?”

“Not in so many words, but she could hardly want to return to London and the unhappy memories to be found there.”

Sophie’s friends were in London. Madam Clover, Ruby and all the rest. Jasper’s senses came alert. What did Nash know that he didn’t yet? “What unhappy memories are in London for her?”

Nash’s lip curled briefly, but he smoothed his features. “She was in love once and was badly let down.”

Jasper knew that, but the way Nash spoke made it seem somehow sordid. “Let down how?”

“A proposal was required and never came.”

The duke blinked. “Required?”

Nash nodded curtly. “The indiscretion was hushed up by all concerned.”

“Nash,” the duke said slowly. “If you expect my support of this ridiculous union, you will have to provide me with all the details of this indiscretion of hers. Jasper and I both need to know now. You said nothing of any stain on her reputation when you hired the woman without references and brought her into our lives. I wish for no more surprises from my brothers.”

“There is nothing to be concerned about.” Nash pursed his lips a moment. “She met a rake and was charmed into his bed, and she expected a proposal that never came. The fellow abandoned her, and she was cast out of the orphanage where she still lived. I met her one night, many months later. I am quite sure impropriety is far in her past now.”

The duke crossed his arms over his chest. “Continue.”

But Jasper glared at Nash and willed him to shut his mouth. He had a feeling he knew what was coming next. The things Nash might say about Sophie were private and none of the duke’s damn business. Nor his either.

Sophie had an extremely low opinion of rakes for a reason. She’d met the madam when she’d been ill…but that illness was never explained fully to him. She rarely spoke in any detail about her time before becoming a governess, and he had always been curious about why she remained silent.

Nash nodded. “She was fortunate a kindhearted woman summoned me when difficulties arose,” he said.