Page 73 of Charity

The duke slung his arm around his footman’s back to support him for the short walk. “Oh, I do, I do indeed.”

Redding faced the duke. “Carrington should be saying those words. You cannot do everything for him.”

Staines chuckled. “Carrington I trust to comply with my wishes, but I do long to hear my brother say them. But let’s dispose of Lady Prewitt first, and then we shall have a nice private wedding to enjoy.”

The grooms on the carriage sprang into action at the sight of their battered party. Redding was helped into the carriage muttering “of course, Your Grace” to another of Staines’ self-serving pronouncements. Did he never stop talking?

Lady Prewitt said nothing at all as she was helped inside, too.

Agatha tugged on Oscar’s sleeve and drew him a little away from the carriage. “Which duke is that?”

“The Duke of Staines.” Oscar set his hands over hers and squeezed. “My uncle, in truth.”

She frowned. “But you never told me you were related to a duke before. I thought you wouldn’t keep secrets from me.”

“This one is a new secret. I had planned to tell you after we were wed, in case you had second thoughts about marrying into such a scandalous family.”

Agatha clutched at his lapels. “Exactly how are you related to the Duke of Staines? I don’t remember reading anything of that in the peerage.”

Oscar cupped his hand around her face and lifted her lips to his. “And you never will.”

He quickly kissed her.

Agatha scowled. “So you are not Lord Carrington’s son? Not Lord Carrington at all?”

“Oh, I am still legally Lord Carrington, but my father was, in fact, another man.” He could see the question in her eyes. “Would you believe the very proper Mr. Lynton Manning is my real father? I tell you now, even I could not at first.”

“Oh.”

“Oh, indeed. Lynton also loves my mother quite madly. The duke has only just learned of my parentage, and is adamant they be married with haste.”

All of a sudden, Agatha laughed. “Oh, dear. We really are quite tame, are we not, in comparison, Oscar?”

“Tame for now. But I have such great plans for tonight.” He set his lips to Agatha’s, longing for the moment when they could be alone again.

A throat cleared behind them and they turned. The duke had stuck his head out the carriage door. “Children. Let’s get you married first and then you can resume your private assignation. There’s always a welcome for new family. Don’t hesitate to get her with child when it’s convenient. But Redding and Lady Prewitt are drenching my carriage in blood. Can we please move along?”

Oscar escorted Agatha to the carriage and squeezed in beside her. “So you like children, Your Grace?”

“Oh, yes. Manning delivered me seven just yesterday. He says he’s going to raise the children from the orphanage as his own.” The duke laughed suddenly. “One hopes he tells your mother about it after the wedding, or I fear she’ll faint with shock.”

A tear fell down Agatha’s cheek. “He’s taking all of them? Why?”

“The orphanage closed, my dear, and, given the scandal you two stirred up, Lynton had to talk fast to secure their care.” The duke took up her hand and rubbed soothingly. “But not all will live with him. Seven is too grand a family for a man of his age with a new wife. I thought perhaps you would consent to raise little Betty, Mabel, and Kitty. The little scamps pleaded to see you before they were removed to my estate, and then the others joined in and created such a tearful uproar I had to cover my ears until they stopped. I am currently overrun with little ones.”

Agatha turned to Oscar, a plea in her eyes. He nodded. “Those three, or all, if you have no objection, Your Grace. I’ll speak to my father about it.”

Agatha hugged Oscar then turned her tearful gaze on the duke. “Thank you, Your Grace. Your charity toward the orphans proves the nasty rumors about you are false and completely untrue.”

Redding lifted his head from the squabs. “Don’t count on it. He’s hardly a stranger to scandal. It runs in the family.”

While the duke and Redding resumed their squabbling, Oscar pulled Agatha hard against him. “I could have lost you today.”

She smiled softly and set her fingers over his lips when he would have continued to voice his fears. “No chance of that. I know everything about you, Oscar. Like cupid’s arrow, your aim is true.”

Agatha kissed him, and although the duke cleared his throat, Redding coughed, and Lady Prewitt sat mute across the carriage, they did not stop kissing until they had to. Exactly long enough to say “I do”.

EPILOGUE