Page 58 of No Duke of Mine

Algernon shook his head. “Can she now?”

Varley poured himself a drink and gave Algernon a sidelong smirk. “You’re not one to be led about by the nose when the stink doesn’t suit you. What brings you here tonight, really?”

“That is an excellent question.” He smiled but did not mention the scandalous affair involving Lady Kent and a servant that was playing out in this very room. “Oh, by the way, you’ll be pleased to know we are officially neighbors.”

Varley’s brows rose. “Don’t tell me you found the deed to the town house next door to me?”

“It was found for me,” he answered, thinking of his great luck in having Maggie in his home still. “Now I must decide what to do with it.”

“Do with it? Would you sell it to me?”

“If the price was high enough, I would.” A property not entailed was a transient possession for a peer.

Varley nodded quickly. “I could be very generous indeed if it solves my immediate problem. My wife insists that her mother live with us in London, now that she’s getting on in years. Imagine two wives trying to run the same household.”

“And you’d rather have her in her own house,” Algernon guessed, understanding in an instant. “I guess that explains your wife’s headache.”

Selling to Varley could be to their advantage, and especially his. The man was ridiculously wealthy but unfairly unlucky in his disapproving mother-in-law. “Selling Mama’s property had always been a possibility once I had the deed in hand. But there is a chance that one of my brothers might want the property. I’ll have to speak with them first before I make any announcement that it is for sale. However, I’m prepared to lease it to you immediately.”

“You are, as ever, the best friend a beleaguered husband could ever hope for. If there’s not going to be a proposal, I’d like to hurry home to tell my wife the good news.”

“There won’t be here,” he whispered.

Varley rushed off grinning, but Lady Kent smoothly took his place. “Would you care to sit down, Your Grace?”

“I prefer to stand,” he answered, wishing he’d left with Varley.

“You’ve been distant tonight,” she murmured. “Is something on your mind?”

“Yes.”

“You’re thinking too much, Your Grace,” she said, giggling. “I demand you stop.”

Her giggling laughter grated on his nerves. “I often do think.”

“But it’s my party.” She laughed and patted his arm when he didn’t laugh along with her. “What is it that distracts you so much tonight?”

He drained his brandy glass.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You know, you can always confide in me. We worry about the same things, I’m sure.”

“What do you worry about?”

“Well, I cannot imagine it is easy having your brothers and their wives staying at Ravenswood for so long.”

He raised a brow at her remark. “It is their home.”

“But it must be vexing that the younger ones have taken such scandalous brides, and now the first one has returned, secret babe on hip. You must have been shocked like I was.”

“Surprised, but I happen to adore their wives.”

“Of course you do,” she said, smiling. “I look forward to meeting them all soon. Perhaps at Christmas,” she asked, brow arching in question.

Algernon was planning a quiet Christmas with just his immediate family, and Maggie at the heart of the festivities.

Lady Kent sighed as her young footman turned lover walked past bearing another full tray. “I shall be sad to never host another party here for you.”

“Will you be sad to dismiss that young footman, too?”