Something Scandalous

They? Every now and then, Will truly enjoyed being a duke, and this was one of those occasions. He handed the innkeeper his card.

“Your Grace, I apologize.” The innkeeper bowed. “Miss Mason and her father are in the dining room. I will tell them you are here.”

“No, wait,” Will said, grabbing the man’s arm. “I will announce myself.”

“Very well, Your Grace.”

“When did they arrive?” Will asked.

“Yesterday morning, Your Grace.”

“And they arrived together?”

“Yes.”

Perhaps Elizabeth was right. “Is there a private room we might use?”

“Yes, Your Grace. The room behind you will be cleared in a moment. The dining room is down that hall,” the innkeeper said, pointing toward the main hallway.

“Thank you.” Will walked down the hall and stopped at the threshold. He scanned the room until he found Abigail and her father. As he strolled toward them, Abigail glanced up and her eyes widened. She glanced around as if looking for an escape route.

He reached their table and placed his hands on the back of both chairs. “Good evening, Miss Mason, Mr. Mason. What a surprise to find you both here.”

Mr. Mason glared back at him. “I just arrived here this evening. I came to collect my little girl before she made a huge mistake.”

“Indeed? Why don’t we remove ourselves to a more private accommodation?” Will released the two chairs and stepped back, allowing them to stand.

“Will”—Abigail started but then stopped when he shot her a glare.

“Come along,” he said hoarsely.

They followed him to the private room the innkeeper had provided. Will sat in a wood chair and waited for the others to follow. “You might want to close the door, Mr. Mason.”

Mr. Mason hesitantly shut the door. “What is this about, Atherton?”

“Oh, but it’s Kendal now. As in, the Duke of Kendal.”

Mr. Mason turned up his lip. “What does that matter? You were nothing but a farmer in Virginia.”

“True, but we are not in Virginia any longer, are we?”

“Just tell me why you are here,” Mr. Mason demanded.

Will smiled at him. “That is exactly what I want to know. Why are you here? Both of you.”

“Will, I already told you that this afternoon,” Abigail said sweetly. “At least I did until that little strumpet interrupted us.”

Will clenched his jaw. “Do not ever call her that.” Even if that was an appropriate description of Elizabeth.

Abigail sat down in a huff. “I still cannot believe you bedded that awful woman, Will.”

“We have been through that, Abigail. I would like to know why you are both here. Especially you, Mr. Mason.”

“I told you. I arrived late this afternoon.”

“Indeed? Then how is it that my cousin overheard you and Abigail in a bookshop early this afternoon?” Will laced his fingers behind his head in a casual demeanor even though tension knotted his muscles.

“Is this the same cousin who is carrying your child?” Abigail questioned.