A Gentleman's Vow (Saints and Sinners 2)

She looked at her father steadily for a long time. “Pretty soon, I won’t be the youngest anymore.”

Stapleton sighed. “She told you?”

Jessica looked at her father with a disappointed expression. “She didn’t have to. I can read the signs as well as any woman.”

Gideon looked between them. “What is this?”

The duke smiled slowly. “Apparently, I’m to be a father again. I hadn’t expected, not at our age, but…”

Gideon burst to his feet and shook the duke’s hand vigorously. “My God! Congratulations, my friend. Congratulations indeed.”

The duke seemed to be blushing though as he accepted Gideon’s congratulations. “It’s early days yet. Best to keep it quiet for now.”

“Father, the household staff already know,” Jessica warned him. “They were plumping every pillow when Gillian came down this morning and offering to fetch her anything she needed. You should have told me yourself. Neither of you thought much of me.”

The duke appeared suitably abashed. “Ah, sorry, pet. We thought, with your season and all, that it might be best to wait to share the news after you’d made your choice. We didn’t want to influence your decision.”

Jessica stood suddenly. “A baby does change things. Gillian shouldn’t return to London, so we’re not going back this year.”

The duke gaped, but Gideon understood instantly. Jessica thought more of Gillian’s comfort than her own ambitions for a husband. The trip back to London would be tiring for a pregnant woman and the rigors of the season an added strain. As far as he knew, Gillian had never had a child. Her first, at her age, might be a delicate time.

He was so proud that Jessica’s first thought was for the comfort and welfare of the new mother.

“We thought perhaps Fanny might consent to chaperone you for th

e rest of the season,” the duke suggested.

Jessica’s expression grew outraged. “No! I’m not leaving Gillian. She’s not been well and might need my help to manage Stapleton later.”

Her father appeared stunned. “Don’t you want to return to London?”

“Yes, one day but not now. Not this year.” She glanced toward Gideon and away quickly. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you two gentlemen to do what you usually do at night.”

“Good night, sweetheart,” the duke said as she swept out of the room.

Jessica paused just outside the door and looked back at Gideon when he said good night, too. He knew that expression well. She wanted to talk to him in private. Tonight.

When she turned in the direction of the long gallery, he guessed where he’d find her when he was free. She’d once waited for hours just to ask him to explain a joke that had gone completely over her head.

“She’s upset,” the duke murmured.

“But not about the baby,” Gideon noted, setting his drink aside.

“No, not about that.” The duke frowned. “I always thought the next child I held might be hers.”

Gideon tipped his head back against the chair, imagining Jessica holding her own babe. She would make a good mother. She was kind and sweet and playful. Her husband would be a lucky man.

He glanced across at the duke. “You never said either way, but was there no one she favored in London?”

“Not that we ever noticed. Truth be told, Jessica seemed disappointed in her season. I fear it was a mistake to bring her out.”

“It wasn’t a mistake. When Jessica is ready for a husband, we’ll all know it.”

The duke smiled. “Sometimes I forget how well you understand my daughter. You’re always the first to suggest patience and speak up on her behalf.”

“Years of steering her away from trouble,” Gideon added.

“You are the brother she should have had.”