by Darcy Burke
Simon exchanged a warm glance with his wife. “I would tell her she didn’t have to, but that wouldn’t make any difference.”
This provoked Kit to laugh. He was new to this marriage business, but he already knew that trying to manage his wife would not turn out well.
“Which is why we’re telling you both,” Verity said. She took a deep breath and laid her palms flat atop her lap. She looked over at Kit, hesitating. “There’s just no easy way to say this.”
Kit glanced from Simon to Diana and back again. “I am not Rufus.”
“Oh, thank God.” Diana clapped her hand over her mouth and then laughed. And then it spread. First to Verity and then to Simon and finally to Kit, who really didn’t know why it was amusing, but in that moment, he didn’t think anything had been more humorous.
At last, their laughter began to die down, and Kit found his breath. He looked at Diana. “You’re glad?”
“Oh yes. Rufus was awful. And you’re not at all. It made no sense. And honestly, this is far more palatable.”
“Who the devil are you, then?” Simon winced. “Er, sorry. I presume you mean to tell us. Or not,” he added lamely.
“Of course we mean to tell you,” Verity said. “Kit is Rufus’s cousin—the illegitimate son of Augustus Beaumont. Kit is short for Christopher, which was one of Augustus’s names.”
“It’s also one of Beau’s,” Diana noted. Her gaze fell on Kit and softened. “How lovely.”
“Yes,” Verity agreed. She’d brought the names up the first night of their journey after Beau had fallen asleep. She’d said she loved the fact that their son had his name—his real name. That she’d referred to Beau as their son had filled Kit with joy.
“That’s why you look so much like him,” Simon said. “You’re rather closely related.”
More closely than that, of course, but they’d decided not to disclose the part about him being Rufus’s half brother. They didn’t see the point in publicizing Kit’s mother’s adultery.
“That’s where the similarity begins and ends,” Verity said firmly. “Kit is nothing like Rufus.”
“I should say not,” Diana said.
“Well, I didn’t know him, but I’ve heard some things, and let me tell you, they aren’t good.” Simon frowned. “Prepare yourself for any manner of reception now that you’re here. Most are eager to see you and hear your tale of disappearing. I do hope you’ve cooked up something good.”
“Something beyond conscription?” Kit asked. “That is the reason I’ve given, and the only one I think I can sell.”
“From the time we spent together, it did seem as though you’d been on a ship,” Simon said.
“Captain of a privateering vessel, actually,” Verity said with a distinct tone of pride.
Simon turned sharply toward Kit. “The devil you say! I want to hear all about that.”
Kit chuckled. “It’s probably not as spectacular as it sounds.” Oh, parts of it were—the sea, the command, the camaraderie aboard ship, the thrill of victory. Those were the parts he missed. The Thames wasn’t far. He longed to go to the docks and at least look at the ships.
“I’m sure it’s not as unspectacular as you would have me think.” Simon cast a sly smile toward his wife. “But we’ll discuss it later at the club.”
Diana rolled her eyes. “While you do that, Verity can tell me all about why Kit pretended to be Rufus.”
“It’s not a secret—from you anyway,” Kit said. “I needed a new ship after mine burned. I planned to ask my father—Augustus—for the funds. When I learned he was dead, I decided to just take what he’d once promised me.”
“It’s a rather long and involved story,” Verity said.
Simon looked between Verity and Kit, his gaze uncertain. “Do you know what really happened to Rufus?”
Kit exchanged a glance with Verity before giving Simon a rather grim frown. “No, and I suspect we never will.”
“I feel a bit awful for saying so, but I do hope he stays missing,” Diana said with a slight shiver. “I don’t wish him harm, but it would be better for everyone if he didn’t return.”
Kit suspected the man was dead, but didn’t say so. He did find himself wondering about the particulars. Had he run into trouble on his way home from London? Had he suffered an accident? It wouldn’t keep him up at night, but it would be nice to know, if only to resolve things for Verity and Beau.
Verity smiled brightly, and Kit wondered if it was entirely genuine. “Perhaps we should focus our energy right now on how to reintroduce Kit, er, Rufus, to Society.”
Simon reached for a cake. “Most everyone I’ve spoken to is keen to recognize you in the House of Lords, but they want a chance to meet you. To that end, we must parade about as much as possible. I know you’re tired, but since today was a shorter travel day, I wondered if you might be up for socializing this evening. We could start at a ball, and then I’ll take you off to Brooks’s.”
“Am I a member there?” Kit asked.
“Yes.” Simon frowned, then looked toward his wife. “I think Kit needs a speedy review of Debrett’s.”
Verity lifted her hand to her mouth as her eyes widened. “I should have thought to do that.”
“It’s quite all right,” Diana said reassuringly. “We’ll manage things.”
Kit looked to Diana. “If you just give me the book, I’ll read it.”
“He’s a fast reader,” Verity explained. “He’ll probably devour it in an hour. Or less.”
“But will you remember it?” Simon asked.
Kit was never more glad for his particular skill with reading and memorization. “As if it were a picture in my mind.”
Simon blew out a breath. “Bloody convenient.”
Diana stood. “I’ll get the book.”
Verity joined her. “And I should go check on Beau.”
Kit and Simon leapt to their feet as the women left arm in arm. Verity cast a smile over her shoulder at Kit. He was looking forward to finding her in their bedchamber later.
“It certainly looks as if marriage agrees with you,” Simon said. “But then I’m a huge proponent of the estate myself.”
“Verity far exceeds anything I imagined marriage to be. She and Beau mean everything.” He looked Simon in the eye. “I’ll do anything to protect them—and what we have.”
“Your secret is safe here.” Simon clasped his bicep in a firm, brief grip of friendship. “You’re family now.”
Kit in crisp black evening clothes was just about the most arousing thing Verity had ever seen. It seemed she wasn’t alone in that estimation since nearly every woman in the ballroom kept sneaking glances in his direction. Only some weren’t sneaking. They were blatantly staring and clearly discussing him with their companions.
When she and Kit had entered a short time ago, the room had fallen silent save the music playing in the opposite corner, but conversation had struck up almost immediately, and it was obvious they were the primary topic. Everyone was eager to see the long-lost Duke of Blackburn. She wasn’t sure they even saw her at all.
They’d arrived with Simon and Diana, who were greeted with the occasional nod and smile. Moving to the side of the ballroom, Simon clapped Kit on the shoulder. “Welcome to London, where notoriety is the best currency. And right now, you’re the richest man in the room. Can’t say I’m sorry to pass on the honor.”
Diana gave Verity an apologetic glance, but Verity shook her head. “I’m glad to divert attention from you.”
“What am I missing?” Kit asked.
“I’m the Duke of Ruin, remember?” Simon said. “Furthermore, my lovely wife was previously engaged to my best friend. It was a bit of a scandal when they both married other people.” His gaze focused across the ballroom. “Ah, here come Nick and Violet now.”
Verity, her hand still tucked around Kit’s arm, gave him a squeeze. “You can see why Society has been focused on them.”
“That and the antics surrounding that oth
er fellow.” Simon looked toward Diana. “The Duke of Seduction?”
Diana nodded. “It hasn’t been a dull Season, to be sure.”
Nick and Violet smiled in greeting as they approached, and Violet leaned over to kiss Diana’s cheek.
“Allow me to present my dearest friend, the Duke of Kilve,” Simon said. “Though I’ll give you leave to call him Nick, whether he likes it or not. Nick, this is the Duke of Blackburn.”
Kit offered his hand to Nick, and Verity finally let go of his arm. She should have done so already, but she found herself wanting to make sure everyone in the ballroom knew he belonged to her.
“Pleased to meet you,” Kit said.
“This is my wife, Violet. If you’re calling me Nick, you’d best be on the same familiar terms with her.”
Violet took Verity’s hand. “I’ve heard so much about you from Diana. I feel as if I already know you.”
“She’s told me of you too,” Verity said. “I’m so glad she has such a good friend here in London.”
“She has several,” Violet said. “Not everyone here is shallow or unkind. And we’ll be sure to point out to you which ones are.” She gave Verity a conspiratorial wink.
Verity was pleased to have allies in such a foreign place. Over the next half hour or so, they met various people, and her head was soon swimming with names and faces she wasn’t sure she could possibly remember.
Somehow, they’d split into two groups, with the women together and the men together. The latest arrival to their group was the charming Duchess of Kendal. About ten years Verity’s senior, she was charming and kind and clearly well connected. “Now, Duchess,” she said to Verity, “you mustn’t pay attention to gossip and rumors. There are quite a few circulating about you and Blackburn just now, particularly about Blackburn.”
Verity’s brow puckered. “What are they saying? Not because I care, but because it’s better to be forewarned.”
“True,” Diana agreed.
The Duchess of Kendal gave Verity a supportive smile. “Remember, these are just rumors. Though Blackburn’s prior visit to London was brief, he established quite a reputation for himself, apparently.”
Verity could well imagine what that might be—probably drink and perhaps gambling. Had he been violent at all? “He was, ah, different before he disappeared.”
“Again, don’t pay them too much mind, but when you notice so many women staring at him, now you know why.”
Verity couldn’t resist darting a glance toward him and instantly felt a pull to move to his side. “Because he’s incredibly handsome?”
Diana exchanged a look with the Duchess of Kendal. “I think Nora meant something specific by reputation. I believe she means he carried on affairs.”
“Affairs may be too formal a word,” Nora said gently. “He was known for rather loose behavior. I’d stay clear of Mrs. Walthorpe if I were you.”
So Rufus had been a rakehell along with all his other sins. “Why?”
“She’s telling anyone who cares to listen that she and the duke carried on a lurid affair before and that she looks forward to making his reacquaintance.” Nora winced. “Sorry. As I said, better to be forewarned.
“I appreciate knowing, thank you. And Rufus will too.”
“I do hope you’ll call me Nora,” she said with a smile. “Please let me know how I can help. I look forward to welcoming you into our set.”
Diana lightly touched Verity’s arm. “Simon became quite friendly with the duchess’s brother-in-law, the Earl of Knighton, when we came to town. So naturally I became friends with the countess and then with her sister, Nora. As Violet said, there are plenty of lovely people.”
“Indeed, and now I must be off,” Nora said brightly. “I promised my sister I would meet her in the retiring room. I’ll be sure to introduce you to Jo—you’ll like her immensely.” She departed with a friendly nod.
Diana leaned over and whispered, “Perhaps you and Kit should dance—to show everyone you’re a happy couple. Sorry, Rufus.”
Verity wasn’t sure Kit could. She moved to close the gap between their groups and went to his side, indicating for him to lean down so she could speak close to his ear. “Diana suggested we dance. Do you know how?”
He winced. “No. You can teach me tomorrow. No dancing tonight.”
She nodded, thinking she couldn’t possibly teach him to master dancing in one day, but then Kit had proven himself adept at just about everything he tried, including practically memorizing Debrett’s earlier. How else could a privateer pass himself off so convincingly as a duke?
“All right, but stay clear of someone named Mrs. Walthorpe.”
He looked down at her with mild alarm. “Why?”
“Just trust me. I’ll explain later.” If Verity happened to encounter Mrs. Walthorpe, she might just give Society another interesting piece of gossip. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to hold her tongue with regard to Mrs. Walthorpe’s expectations with her husband—as in, they would never come to pass.
Verity’s eye caught the next person heading in their direction and momentarily froze. She clutched at Kit’s sleeve. “My father is coming. Be sure to act like an ass.”
“I thought I was supposed to act like myself.”
“Yes, that too, but you need to convince my father in a different way than you need to convince everyone else. With most people, merely acting ducal is enough to intimidate them into believing you’re who you are—it worked with everyone at Beaumont Tower. But my father knew Rufus better than most. He’ll be able to tell, just as I was.” She tensed as he neared and quickly remembered to add, “Call him Horatio.”
And then he was there, his long, narrow face pinching into a smile. “Good evening, daughter. I arrived a short while ago and heard you were here.” He turned his focus to Kit. “And here is my son-in-law after so many years. I hope you’ll forgive me for not coming to Beaumont Tower to welcome you home. It’s such a long trip, and the Season is such a whirl.” He laughed with a wave of his jeweled hand.
Kit offered a tepid smile. “Good evening, Horatio. How good of you to come over and welcome us.”
“Even if you weren’t family, I would have had to—you’re the spectacle of the evening. And probably at least for the next week.” He said this with a glee that made Verity grit her teeth.
“I’m sure it’s quite gratifying for you to be at the center of gossip,” she said rather too sweetly.
He narrowed his eyes slightly but didn’t respond to her taunt. Instead, he turned his attention to Kit. “You look quite different, Rufus. Did you grow while you were away?”
“I worked hard aboard a ship. I’m bigger, yes.” Kit kept his tone even and his eyes rather cold and expressionless. He’d definitely mastered ducal intimidation.
“A ship? So the rumors are true—you were conscripted?” Verity’s father said this with considerable disbelief. “The nerve of someone kidnapping a duke. One wonders how they were able to do such a thing.”
“You’d be surprised what criminals are capable of.” Kit arched his brow. “Or perhaps not. You no doubt heard I dismissed Cuddy.”
“You speak of criminals and then mention Cuddy—is this because he was murdered?” he blinked at Kit, but his gaze was hard, and Verity wondered if some sort of communication was happening between the two men. “Such a tragedy. I hope they catch whoever did it.” He twitched his shoulders as he looked toward Verity. “What a macabre topic for such a fine evening. Forgive us, my dear. Come, Rufus, let us depart so we can speak without offending feminine sensibilities.”
Anxiety spiraled in Verity’s gut as Kit glanced over at her.
“Since it’s our first night in London, I’m not sure I’d like to leave Verity’s side.”
Her father’s gaze narrowed as he scrutinized Kit for a moment, then he nodded approvingly. “You’ve changed in more than just looks. There was once a time when you preferred to be anywhere but with my daughter. I’m glad to see your time away h
as shown you the error of your behavior.”
Verity stared at her father, scarcely believing he was saying such things right in front of her. She couldn’t keep her reaction buried. “Father.”
He gave her a brief, apologetic smile. “Oh, I’m sorry, dear. But I do care for you, and it’s best for Rufus to know straightaway that I won’t tolerate his nonsense.”
Nonsense. Was that what her father thought of the way Rufus had treated Verity? Now she was shocked silent.
Her father blinked at Kit. “Ready, Rufus?”
Kit sent another glance toward her, and she nodded imperceptibly. He should go. To not go would only arouse her father’s suspicions, and she feared they were already aroused.
“I’ll be back soon,” Kit said, leaning down to brush a kiss against her temple.
She watched them go and tried to curb a sense of foreboding.
Expectation and apprehension curled through Kit as he followed Horatio from the ballroom. “Where are we going?”
Horatio looked over his shoulder with a pompous, tight-lipped smile. “To have a little talk—father to son.”
“You aren’t my father,” Kit said. Regardless of what the man’s relationship had been with Rufus, he would set new rules tonight. Starting with not upsetting Verity.
“Close enough since yours died. And then you lost Augustus, who was a bit of a surrogate, wasn’t he?” Horatio pushed open a door that led to a small sitting chamber. It was empty but moderately lit with a pair of wall sconces, a lantern, and a low fire in the grate. He held the door and gestured for Kit to precede him. “After you.”
Kit looked at him warily as he passed and went into the room. The sound of the lock clicking into place made Kit turn. “You’re locking the door?”
“I don’t think we want to be interrupted. Or overheard. I’m afraid I must speak to you of a rather sensitive matter.”
